A tribe in Zimbabwe is known to be "ostrich people," with one in four children being born with only two toes in each foot.
Vadoma Tribe in Zimbabwe
The Vadoma tribe, also known as Bantwana or Doma, is known for the distinct deformities observed in their feet. While this genetic defect is rare, it is common among tribe members. In fact, one out of four children could be born with the condition.
The ostrich foot syndrome is known as ectrodactyly or lobster claw syndrome. This condition is a rare genetic disorder that results in the congenital absence of several toes or fingers. Because of this, a person's hand or foot may be similar to a pincer.
Most tribe members lack three toes in the middle and only have two outer toes facing inward.
According to visitors and researchers who have spent time with the tribe, members do not see the genetic mutation as a disability. While the condition does pose some challenges, such as running, walking, and shoe-wearing difficulties, several members of the tribes do not wear any clothes.
The tribe sees this genetic mutation as a unique trait that boosts their capacity to climb trees, a skill the tribe considers extremely important.
The Vadoma tribe still follows the lifestyle of hunter-gatherers, mainly resorting to hunting, honey-making, fishing, and fruit and root collection for sustenance.
Why Are the Tribe Members Bone With Ostrich Foot Syndrome?
The high prevalence rates of the syndrome within the Vadoma tribe could be due to how they strictly practice marriage inside the tribe. Because of this, their genetic diversity is significantly restricted. This may contribute to the disorder's prevalence among tribe members.
It is unlikely for the genetic mutation to fade away as the tribe has laws that explicitly disallow marriage with individuals who are not tribe members. This rule has been implemented to prevent genetic mutation from affecting other tribes.
With these laws implemented alongside the isolated nature of the tribe, the Vadoma tribe was able to have higher incidence rates of the syndrome compared to any other group of people all over the world.
However, the deformity can also be observed in other tribes, including the Taluta Kalgana and the Taluna tribes that dwell in the Kalahari desert. Several individuals think that these tribes could have a shared ancestry with the Vadoma tribe.
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