Description:
Transitional type between Sudanid and Guinesid, common in West Africa. Although it is just a contact type, it is sometimes separated from the two main varieties, because it is very numerous and the dominant element in many ethnic groups. Found from Senegal to Mali, Ivory Coast, Benin, Nigeria, and Western Cameroon. Common in Mandinka, Mandjak, Fon, Dyula, Ekoi, Gurma, Balanta, Baga, Mankanya, Yoruba, Yalunka, Karaboro, Wamey, and many others.Physical Traits:
Dark brown skin, kinky hair. Variable features. Either tall and mesoskelic or medium height and brachyskelic, usually mesomorph. Dolichocephalic, mildly hypsicranic with a strongly platyrrhine, sometimes funnel-shaped nose. The face is relatively large with big lips, but thinner than in Sudanid proper. Body hair weak. Prognathous.Literature:
Named and defined as Soudano-Guinéen by Pales (1953), who compared metrics of hundreds of West African ethnicities. Also addressed by Chabeuf (1959), among others.
