Anthropological characteristics in some indigenous groups in modern Indonesia

Abstract

A complex morphological description based on a wide range of somatic features (30 characteristics) is presented for two modern indigenous ethnic groups of Indonesia: Minahasans (N = 93) and Sangirese (N = 76). These groups have not yet been extensively described in scientific publications from the standpoint of physical anthropology. To collect the data used in the research, the authors organized an anthropological expedition to the islands of Indonesia, Sulawesi, and Sangir. The examination program included the assessment of skin and iris pigmentation, estimation of hair shape and color, and measurements of body and limbs. It was shown that the Minahasans had a more sturdy build than the Sangirese by most morphological characteristics and typological features. The body proportions of the Minahasans and Sangirese were compared with the corresponding parameters in representatives of other Mongoloid and Equatorial populations of Asia, Oceania, and Australia using multidimensional statistical methods. It was concluded that the Sangirese were the closest to the Equatorial anthropological type by body characteristics among the studied Mongoloid groups of Southeast Asia.