The Korowai tribe is an indigenous group located in southeastern Papua (southeastern part of western New Guinea). Until 1970, this group, consisting of 3,000 people, believed they were the only human beings on the planet Earth because of their isolation. Most Korowai clans live in tree houses. I know what you're thinking. Tree houses? Really? Before we begin to cling to our western ideals and judge their level of "civilization," let's try to open our minds. Are the Korowai people more efficient human beings than us?
Let's look at the facts. The Korowai are hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists. They have excellent hunting and fishing skills for gaining necessary protein. The Korowai literally survive off the good of the land. If an 8 years old child of the Korowai tribe was to get into a fight with a 8 years old American child, I think we know who would win. Mosquitos and age-old rivalry have forced them to build houses in the tree tops. Some are as high as 40 m. The Korowai are extremely fit due to the fact that they BUILD HOUSES IN TREES (which takes a lot of "all over body" strength), as well as live active lives. Their survival depends on the collective workethic of the tribe.
Let's look at the facts. The Korowai are hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists. They have excellent hunting and fishing skills for gaining necessary protein. The Korowai literally survive off the good of the land. If an 8 years old child of the Korowai tribe was to get into a fight with a 8 years old American child, I think we know who would win. Mosquitos and age-old rivalry have forced them to build houses in the tree tops. Some are as high as 40 m. The Korowai are extremely fit due to the fact that they BUILD HOUSES IN TREES (which takes a lot of "all over body" strength), as well as live active lives. Their survival depends on the collective workethic of the tribe.
So... does natural selection favor the Korowai tribe as opposed to us, the members of a first world country?
My Answer: Yes. Just like malnutrition causes atrophy, or muscle wasting, the extremely active lives of the Korowai has probably caused them to have superhuman strength and power, compared to the average American. If the planet was to experience some extreme macroclimate change causing a decrease in food supply, I believe the Korowai be more likely to survive due to natural selection.
Here are more pictures: Enjoy!
I think that these people are deffinately in favor of natural selection because they are closer to nature than we will ever be again. It's cool to know that there are peple out here that still truely respect the earth. But you said they weren't discovered until 1970...have they become what us westerners would call civilized?
ReplyDeleteThey're definitely in favor of natural selection. They were born to for this. But I wonder if more modern civilizations have influenced them since the time of their discovery, affecting their advantage in natural selection.
ReplyDeleteEven after discovery, they have still continued to practice the same lifestyle/culture.
ReplyDeleteMy question is whether or not these people will remain this way for much longer. THese peolple are blessed to live so close to the land and profit from the work they put into their lives. However, outside of their little world, populations are growing, expanding, and looking for more resources. Will their lives be destroyed because companies and industries will eventually need the resources in the area of these tribes? How soon will it happen?
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool but will modern cities and civilizations influence them?
ReplyDeleteYes. they're definitely more likely to be naturally selected than the "average" American. However, when compared to an athlete, I wonder how they would fare. Would they really be that much stronger than a very active manual laborer? I understand that as Americans, we're more likely to be overweight, nonathletic and malnutritioned, but to the significant amount of fit Americans, I don't think there's that much of a difference.
ReplyDeleteWell keep in mind that natural selection comes down to who will have the highest chance of reproducing successfully and these guys live in isolation so I am assuming their odds for reproduction are already less than ours since there are less possible mates. Also we have technology that will help us in the birthing process and screening of the child to ensure everything is okay
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