There is something called convergent evolution. That is when individuals or species in different geographical areas that have similar environmental conditions develop similar characteristics. Therefore individuals living near the equator evolved to have lots of melanin to protect their bodies from strong and harmful uv rays. Even a white person who comes to holiday in areas with strong radiation ends up with a tan, ie more melanin to protect their bodies. They also need anti-uv lotions to prevent damage to their skin.



Also it is said that there were mutations in the genes that control skin colour which hastened the process of populations being lighter. If you have mutant melanin genes eg albinos, when in the tropics, it is a big problem and natural selection will work against you and reduce your fitness eg skin cancers etc. But in those cold mzungu areas the mutations werent disadvantageous since their bodies could still survive under those conditions of low amounts of solar radiation and therefore the mutant genes propagated until populations became light skinned.

each speaks their own language. Some are totally as different as Luo is to Kikuyu. The story of this place is rather interesting... so it's a beautiful country but with highlands and really does take off just after the waterfront (at least where i have been). The largest island is almost the size of south sudan and is rough terrain. to get from most places you need to fly in - no roads for variety of reasons. many people showed up on it's coast and never saw people and it was thought of as being uninhabited for much of history and in 1930 some fellows were mining all over decided to go more and more inland and Pap! they find some groups of fierce people! imagine... these people had never seen anyone else ever! there is a group that was found like in the 70s that believed that they (not even the whole island) were the only ones that existed. These people invented agriculture on their own! it's rather interesting... when you look at a guy who looks like you and he looks at you and says.. "Are you from Africa?" and in a puzzled way you say... Yes! and wonder - how do they know this? my skin tone is the same but that is not what they look at - they look at many other things... mandible, texture of hair, nose... perhaps forehead - who knows... but they are able to tell you apart. I usually like saying to my african brothers... YOU KNOW US AFRICANS...[INSERT SOME UNIFYING WORLDVIEW STATEMENT]! you cannot say that here! it's almost an insult! They insist they are not african and they are right.. being black is not being african and being african is not being black. Fascinating time. Their music is not similar in anyway to ours - not at all... it's almost polynesian. So similar yet so different.

A white person can actually become black if exposed to high amounts of sunlight. Also europeans who live in sunny areas like southern italy are dark.

interesting...will make arrangements in the near future.looks like a very long flight. Hope they are welcoming peoples. We should open a thread on greatest of places to visit and guys can share their experiences for those who love travelling.

Bird never make nest in bare tree.

But why yawa?