A very special nation in the world, they are physiologically mature when they are 8 years old, they can get married and have children, and the average life expectancy is not more than 40 years old, what is the secret of this?
Deep in the vast, vibrant rainforests of central Africa lies a unique and little-known people, the Pygmies.
They are shorter, with the average adult height much lower than that of other human populations across the globe; Childhood develops unusually rapidly, reaching adulthood between the ages of eight and ten, but the lifespan is short.
The Pygmies are distinguished by their large heads, relatively short and stout limbs, flat noses, and prominent navels, which make them unique in the dense forest, earning them the nickname "Dwarven Nation".
There is a deep connection and mutual adaptation between the Pygmy people and their living environment.
The rainforest where they live is full of dangers, infested with all kinds of predators.
The Pygmies' dwarf stature acts as a natural protective barrier in this environment, allowing them to move more flexibly through dense jungle vegetation and avoid the threat of large predators.
At the same time, due to the dense canopy of tropical rainforests, which weakens a lot of sunlight exposure, the intensity of ultraviolet rays on the ground in the area is relatively low, which in turn leads to the problem of insufficient vitamin D synthesis in Pygmies.
This factor directly affects calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which limits their skeletal development and growth rate.
Tropical rainforests are rich in species, but seasonal and regional changes often make food availability for Pygmy populations very limited and unpredictable.
This long-standing state of nutrient deprivation prompted the Pygmies to gradually develop a low-level growth hormone secretion mechanism during the evolution of the Pygmies to slow down the body's growth and consumption, ensure the continuation of life and better adapt to the harsh conditions of life.
In this sense, the diminutive stature of the pygmies is not an accident, but the result of natural selection and biological evolution, reflecting their intelligent way of existence, which is closely connected to their surroundings. Decreased levels of growth hormone.
Another surprising feature is the extremely rapid development rate of pygmies.
They have been observed to reach physiological maturity around the age of 8. This phenomenon is related to single nucleotide polymorphisms in their genes, which leads to an overproduction of growth hormone.
This also explains why Pygmies marry and have children at such a young age, and the early succession is to meet the challenges of a short lifespan.
Pygmy marriage customs are also closely related to their living environment and traditions.
The elders of the family decide on the marriage, which is simple and solemn, and they will use cosmetics made of various pigments to decorate themselves, not only to add beauty to themselves, but also to ward off evil spirits.
All in all, the pygmies are a special ethnic group that lives in difficult conditions, but they are still living well.
Despite the many challenges, they have maintained their beliefs and values, passed on their culture, and demonstrated a natural and unpretentious way of life.
They may face difficulties, but they may find a happier life in the future.
