Serogenetic studies on the Kavango peoples of South West Africa

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Abstract
The closely interrelated matrilineal Kavango peoples of the far northeast of South West Africa are probably the least known inhabitants of that country. Their traditional historical and cultural affinities appear to be with the peoples of southern Angola and south-western Zambia; the suggested relationships with the Ambo further were are not linguistically tenable, though there is evidence of gene exchange. The Kavango comprise the Kwangali, the Mbunza, whom they are in process of absorbing, the Sambyu, The Gciriku, the Mbukushu and the Kwengo. The last-named of these have been accounted Black Bushmen, but the serogenetic investigation of these peoples discloses that the affinities of the Kwengo are with their neighbors the Mbukushu, and they must therefore be accounted Negro rather than San. Genetic distance calculations are compatible with traditional history and with the suggestion that all these peoples share a fairly recent common origin.