33R 
llErORT UPON PHYSICAL CIIAliACTEUS OF NIT.OTIf NF.GPOIP TPiIHES 
This people appeared to be devoted almost exclusively to agriculture, and were of a 
docile and yielding disposition, unlike the Dinkas, and a large number of them had been 
reduced to slavery by the invading Khartouiners. T5y the Dinkas they were known as the 
Dohr. In complexion they are much less dark, or black, than the Dinkas, and in colour 
they are similar to the red-brown soil upon which they reside. “The jet-black Rhilluks, 
Nuers, and Dinkas, nativ’es of the dark alluvial Hats, stand out in marked distinction to the 
dwellers upon the iron-red rocks, who, notwithstanding their diversity in dialect, in habit, 
or in mode of life, present the characteristics of a connected whole.” In this series must be 
included the Nyam-nyams. Rchweinfurth further states that the Bongos “rarely exceed a 
medium height, and that their prominent characteristics appear to him to consist in a more 
compact form of limb, a sharper development of muscle, a wider formation of the skull, and, 
generally, a preponderating jnass in the upper part of the Bongo.” Among the natives 
themselves this character of brachycephaly is recognised, and the native explanation is that 
the Bongo women as soon as an infant is born press its head downwards, but the Dinka 
mothers, on the contrary, press the heads of their babies from the side. 
They appear to be distinguished by considerable skill in working iron, which is found in 
great quantities in the country in which they live. 
The measurements which were obtained, it must be noticed, show that among the 
Nyam-nyams the head tends to be even wider than among the Bongos, and this width is 
shared by the face, the Bongo face being considerably narrower in proportion to its length 
than the Nyam-nyam average. In stature, too, the Nyam-nyams appear to be slightly 
taller. 
In the Bongos then, as among the Nyam-nyams, there can be traced a distinct racial 
element, differentiating the tribes which show them from those adjacent to them. 
The characters are — mesocephaly, with moderate stature, rather shorter lower limbs, 
the leg and thigh being nearly of equal lengtb. and colour less dark than reddish brown 
in hue. 
Nyam-nyams 
.Vyam-nyams Of this savage tribe, travellers are agreed that it presents characters by which it can 
be identified at a glance amidst the whole series of .Vfrican races. This physical identity is 
accompanied by features of customs and dress which give them additional interest. The 
greater part of their territory lies Ijetween the fourth and sixth parallels of latitude N., 
while westwards they extend for about five or six degrees of longitude, or an area of 48,000 
square miles. The population is estimated at about two millions. 
Of this tribe, ten individuals were measured at Eenk and at Khartoum, .\mong these 
people the hair is short, thick, and curly, or may be nil. The stature was, on the average, 
172'4 cm., while the thigh and leg together measured .S5'4 cm., slightly less than half the 
stature. The arm and forearm measured 61'4 cm. The cephalic index was as high as 79, 
on the average, indicating a high degree of mesocephaly which was only eqiialled by the 
figure found among the Buruns, and the vertical index was 70'7, indicating a well elevated 
vault for the skull. The degree of prognathism was considerable, but not more than is 
found among several other tribes, and the facial index was 90. 
The photographs (Figs. 165, 166, 190 and 191) show the characteristically shaped head, 
inclining to roundness, a wide and rather short face, distinct plumpness, producing 
roundness of contour, and a growth of beard. 
