Hélène Pagezy

Seasonal hunger as experienced by the Oto and the Twa women of a Ntomba village in the equatorial forest (lake Tumba, Zaïre)

An anthropometric survey in a Ntomba village showed how selected physiological parameters of adult women in different physiological states were affected by the rainy season. One hundred and twenty‐seven Oto, and 50 Twa women were measured at the end of the major dry and the major rainy seasons. The 20–39 age groups and the nursing women seemed to be most affected, with a 1.4 kg weight loss being reported among the Oto. Pregnant women did not lose weight during this time as opposed to some observations in the Sahelian countries. Twa women had significantly lower scores for arm circumference and skinfolds than the Oto of the same physiological state; this was probably related to the poorer nutritional and health status of the Twa in the Ntomba villages.

Attitude of Ntomba society towards the primiparous woman and its biological effects.

In a village in Zaire observation on weaning patterns shows that the young primipara receives special attention in terms of nutrition and expected activities. Supplementary feeding starts early in both the Oto and the Twa pygmoids--the 2 biologically distinct groups which make up the Ntomba. The Twa continue breastfeeding longer. 1 of the objectives was to relate anthropometric features of weight and skinfold thickness to the weaning practice previously observed; the other to carry out a dietary investigation during the rainy and dry seasons. The nursing mother receives special attention. Weight skinfold thickness and arm circumference were taken and compared in primiparas who had been breastfeeding for at least 6 months young menstruating girls of the same age and multiparous women who had breastfed for 6 months. Measurements were taken at the end of the dry season. Nursing has a very high energy cost. It is highest in the 1st few months. Weight changes in babies of different ages and in their mothers in the rainy and the following dry season is given. The mothers weight loss is almost a direct reflection of the babys weight gain. Aging and the hungry season draw upon fat stores. Thus anthropometric examination shows that there is a pronounced effect on physique the resulting accumulation of fat providing a buffer against seasonal variation in food availability and allowing the nursing mother to meet the high energy cost of nursing. The biological effects of these cultural practices suggest that they should be regarded as adaptive.

Morphological, physical and ethoecological adaptations of oto and twa women living in the equatorial forest (Tumba Lake, Zaïre)*

This paper tries to define the morphological and physical adaptations and describe some forms of ethological adaptation of Twa pygmoid women and bigger Oto women living in the same physical environment. Morphological characters reveal a significantly better adaptation of the pygmoids to the hot and humid climate of the Equatorial forest; inversely, the higher scores of the Oto women to the tests of physical fitness may be the consequence of a size difference between the two groups. In connection with their adaptative level, the women organize their activities by three types of rhythms: microrhythms (breaks), circadian rhythms of activity, succession of working and resting days; and microclimate, often selected by women when performing their activities. We describe in the present study some of those forms that qualify as ethoecological adaptations.