Description
Widespread Central African type, typical for the agricultural forest populations. Compared to savannah types (Sudanids, Bantuids) legs are shorter with big calves, stature lower and more thickset, faces broader, skin fairer, body hair stronger, and nasal root more depressed.
Early anthropologists thought it was an old type, later regarded as a relatively recent adaption to humid tropical climate. Recent migrations are bringing Congolids to Europe and parts of Asia, and slavery brought them to the Americas, where they constitute an important element today.
Varieties
The most typical variety is the short, round-skulled Congolesid of the Congo basin, which has a taller, darker West Congolesid subvariety. The long-skulled counterpart in West Africa is the Guinesid. Between both types exists a taller Guineo Camerunian variety. A special, more admixed form is the Mundu Mangbeto variety. Very ancient is the black-skinned southern Mountain Dama type.
Physical Traits
Height: Lower
Build: Thickset
Legs: Shorter with big calves
Face: Broader
Nose: More depressed root
Skin: Fairer (compared to savannah types)
Body hair: Stronger
The Congolid type shows distinct adaptations to the humid tropical forest environment of Central Africa. The shorter stature with proportionally shorter legs and developed calf muscles reflects adaptation to the forest terrain. The more thickset build is characteristic compared to the taller, more linear savannah types. Facial features include broader faces and a more depressed nasal root. Skin tone is relatively lighter compared to savannah-dwelling populations, and body hair is more pronounced than in many other African types.
Literature References
The Congolid type has been recognized under various names in anthropological literature, reflecting different classification systems and theoretical approaches throughout the 20th century.
- Montandon (1933) - Nègre Paléotropicale
- Eickstedt (1934, 1952) - Palänegrid
- Biasutti (1941) - Congolid
- Drexel (1955) - Kongoid
- Lundman (1967) - Hylänegrid
- Biasutti (1967) - Silvestre
- Vallois (1968) - Guinéenne-Congolaise
- Debets (1974) - Tropical
- Vogel (1974) - Palänegrid
- Fleischhacker (1975) - Hyläid
- Knussmann (1996) - Palänegrid
