Sudanid (proper) Phenotype - Face Features & Origin

Average Face

The Sudanid (proper) 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.

Geographic Distribution

The Sudanid (proper) phenotype is native to West 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: 8.00°, -5.00° (latitude, longitude).

Physical Characteristics

Dark brown, sometimes ebony black skin, usually kinky hair. (Rather) tall, (hyper)brachyskelic and mesomorph. Mostly dolichocephalic or mildly mesocephalic, mildly hypsicranic. (Hyper-)platyrrhine. The face is large with big eyes and massive, bulging lips. Occiput and prognathy are usually pronounced. Body hair extremely weak.

Historical Background

Sudanid proper. Widespread savannah type named after the Sudan region of West Africa. Found in its purest form among Mossi, Lobi, Dagaaba, Senufo, Northern Malinke, Gurunsi, Songhai, and Bambara. More mixed across many regions of Western Africa, e.g. Southern Haussa, Ashanti, North Igbo, Yoruba, Moors, and many more.

Source: Human Phenotypes — Sudanid (proper)

References & Literature

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

• Sergi, G. 1908. Di una classificatione razionale dei gruppi umani. Att Soc. Ital. progr. Sci. Rome.
• Eickstedt, E. von. 1934. Rassenkunde und Rassengeschichte der Menschheit. Ferdinand Enke. Stuttgart.
• Eickstedt, E. von. 1952b. Die prioritätsgerechten Bezeichnungen der menschlichen Varitäten. In: Historia Mundi. Band 1, Munich, 223-226.
• Fleischhacker, H.. 1975. Die Anthropologie der Bewohner Afrikas. In: Baumann, H.: Die Völker Afrikas und ihre traditionellen Kulturen. Wiesbaden. 41-134.
• Baker, J.R.. 1981. Race. Oxford Univ. Press. London.
• Knussmann, R. 1996. Vergleichende Biologie des Menschen: Lehrbuch der Anthropologie und Humangenetik. 2ed. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag.
• Alexeev, V. P. 1979. The Differential Geography of Races. In: Stini, W. A. Physiological and Morphological Adaptation and Evolution. De Gruyter.
• Pales, L. and T. de St-Péreuse. 1953. Raciologie comparative des populations de l'Afrique occidentale.Bull. et Mém. de la Société d'anthropologie de Paris X. 185-497.
• Vallois, H. V. 1971. Las races humaines. 8 Ed. Grammont.
• Biasutti, R. 1967 (1941). Le Razze e i Popoli della terra. 4th Ed. Vol 1-4. U.T.E.T., Torino.

Related Phenotypes

Other human phenotypes related to Sudanid (proper) by geography or typological similarity.

• Bobo

  West Africa

  Sudanid variety with shorter skulls than Sudanids proper, and several other unique features that set it apart from other neighbouring groups...

• Casamance

  West Africa

  Type of the Sudanid-Guinesid contact belt with a variety of unique features that set it apart from other groups. Most common in the lower Ca...

• East Sudanid

  West Africa

  Isolated Sudanid variety of the Nuba mountains in Kurdufan / Sudan, native to the region at least since the Neolithic. Has resisted historic...

• Equatorial Sudanid

  West Africa

  Central African variety with Sudanid and Congolid elements, living in the Savanna regions of East Cameroon, Central African Republic, South ...

• Guineo Camerunian

  West Africa

  West African type, the shorter-skulled counterpart of Guinesids. May constitute the transition to Congolesids. Common in forest regions of C...