Ethnicity Guesser

Based on historical distributions from ~1500 years ago. Estimates appearance, not DNA ancestry or personal identity.

Phenotype

Maasai Phenotype - Face Features & Origin

The Maasai phenotype is a east africa human phenotype documented in historical anthropology literature. This page presents the Maasai phenotype average face composite, its geographic distribution, physical characteristics, historical background, and academic references.

Average Face

The Maasai phenotype average face is a composite synthesized from multiple individual photographs by historical anthropologists. It represents a statistical impression of recurring facial features, not a real person.

Maasai phenotype average face composite

Geographic Distribution

The Maasai phenotype is native to East Africa. The historical distribution below reflects approximate centers of prevalence documented roughly 1500 years ago; modern borders and population movements have since blurred these boundaries.

Approximate coordinates: 0.00°, 35.00° (latitude, longitude).

Maasai phenotype historical center: 0.00, 35.00 — East Africa

Physical Characteristics

Dark brown skin, kinky or tight-curly hair. Tall, hyperbrachyskelic, ectomorph. Dolichocephalic, chamae- orthocranic. Long, mildly leptorrhine noses that may be straight or convex. Body hair is scant, the lips relatively full. The eyes are narrow and may sometimes appear pseudo-Mongoloid. Mild prognathy possible.

Historical Background

Ancient South Ethiopid subtype, influenced by Nilo Hamitic and possibly Sandawe. Has probably been isolated in a remote region west of Lake Turkana some centuries ago. Only from the 15th century on they started to migrate south deep into Kenya and Tanzania, where they are found today. Typical for Maasai people, sometimes in related tribes, e.g. Samburu, Dorobo, Okiek, and Lotuko.

Source: Human Phenotypes — Maasai

References & Literature

The Maasai phenotype entry above is compiled from the following academic references. Readers are encouraged to consult the original sources for verification and deeper context.

  • Biasutti, R. 1967 (1941). Le Razze e i Popoli della terra. 4th Ed. Vol 1-4. U.T.E.T., Torino.
  • Lundman, B. 1967. Geographische Anthropologie. Rassen und Völker der Erde. G. Fischer, Stuttgart
  • Eickstedt, E. von. 1943. Völkerbiologische Probleme der Sahara. In: Beiträge zur Kolonialforschung. Tagungsband I, 169-240.
  • Eickstedt, E. von 1951. Die Träger der Afrikanischen Kulturen. In: Bernatzik, H. Afrika. Handbuch der angewandten Völkerkunde. F. Bruckmann. München.
  • Knussmann, R. 1996. Vergleichende Biologie des Menschen: Lehrbuch der Anthropologie und Humangenetik. 2ed. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag.
  • Cole, S. 1965. Races of Man. Butler & Tanner Ltd. Frome and London.
  • Baker, J.R.. 1981. Race. Oxford Univ. Press. London.

Related Phenotypes

Other human phenotypes related to Maasai by geography or typological similarity.

  • Central Ethiopid

    East Africa

    Ethiopid subtype of the central Ethiopian highlands and their surroundings. Found in its purest form among Oromos. Also in other Cushitic sp...

  • Danakil

    East Africa

    Specialised Ethiopid type living in the hottest region of the world: the Danakil depression of Eritrea and Northern Ethiopia, with an annual...

  • Dinkaid

    East Africa

    Nilotid proper that shows the most pronounced Nilotic features: the tallest, most long-legged and one of the darkest phenotypes in the world...

  • East Ethiopid

    East Africa

    Ethiopid proper, showing the most pronounced Ethiopid characters of all. Common around the Horn of Africa, in its purest form in the inland ...

  • Hadza

    East Africa

    Ancient type of the Tanzanian Bushmen, living close to Lake Eyasi. Very distinct from any other type in the world and has probably long been...