When I was in Zim recently Buzz Charlton shared with me a picture of a member of this tribe. I found it fascinating since the condition is not the result of mutilation but is rather caused by successive generations of inbreeding. I had never heard of this tribe or condition before, so I thought I would share it with others that might not have heard of it either.

http://darkcreek.com/vadoma_ectrodactyly

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/indepth/features/dis...f_ostrich_people.php

I beleive that in his book " A MAN CALLED LION" Cspstick relates a story Taylor told Brian Marsh about these folks, or something

Mike

Now you have my attention! I have spent quite a bit of time with members of this tribe over the years, and have become intrigued by them and their culture. A few years ago, I accompanied a foot safari deep into the Mashambanzhou mountains, with an old Vadoma hunter named Hungwa guiding us. It was an education to say the least - the Vadoma are the most adept bush men I've ever come across, perfectly atuned to their environment. Hungwa showed us how to locate, harvest and prepare a plant tuber which the Vadoma have always eaten as a staple. It was amazing - he dried and ground the tuber to meal, and then boiled the meal to produce something very similiar to what we know as sadza. Vadoma sadza is not as firm as maize sadza, but it is eaten in the same manner, by rolling it into bite size morsels and dipping it in relish. Hungwa also showed us a number of edible plants which can be used as relish (muriwo) and medicine, how to find and raid a bee hive without using fire or disturbing the bees too much, and much more.
I have written a little about the Vadoma people and I intend to write a great deal more some time. What is most sad about the Vadoma, is that theirs is a dying culture and they are a dying tribe. Few are the Vadoma who still live as they used to, and this is mostly due to the government's ridiculous decision to resettle and assimiliate them into 'civilized' society. The birthplace (musha) of the Vadoma is the Mkanga Valley in Chewore Safari Area, but any Vadoma who ventures there now is considered a poacher. Fortunately not by those on the ground - hunters and Parks gamescouts respect these master bush men and usually turn a blind eye to Vadoma activity if they come across it.
Before the year end, I intend journeying back to the Mashambazhou mountains with Hungwa, to learn what I can before the ways of these fascinating people are lost to the world forever.

Thanks for posting those links Mike

Dave

National Geographic did a piece on these "OSTRICH" people a few years ago. I didn't know, however that they were a Zimbabwe tribe! I was under the impression they were from Northern Kenya, and the Sudan!

Yes and Ian Nyschens mentions and pictures them in his first book.

John Taylor mentions them extensively in one of his books.

i have to admit that with all the time i've spent in zim I never heard of these poeple until i read davids book. David - I sure hope you do write more about them. and for those who haven't read davids book - you should