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BaTwa populations from Zambia retain ancestry of past hunter-gatherer groups

Author

Listed:
  • Gwenna Breton

    (Uppsala University
    Sahlgrenska University Hospital)

  • Lawrence Barham

    (University of Liverpool)

  • George Mudenda

    (Livingstone Museum
    National Museums Board)

  • Himla Soodyall

    (University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service
    Academy of Science of South Africa)

  • Carina M. Schlebusch

    (Uppsala University
    University of Johannesburg
    SciLifeLab)

  • Mattias Jakobsson

    (Uppsala University
    University of Johannesburg
    SciLifeLab)

Abstract

Sub-equatorial Africa is today inhabited predominantly by Bantu-speaking groups of Western African descent who brought agriculture to the Luangwa valley in eastern Zambia ~2000 years ago. Before their arrival the area was inhabited by hunter-gatherers, who in many cases were subsequently replaced, displaced or assimilated. In Zambia, we know little about the genetic affinities of these hunter-gatherers. We examine ancestry of two isolated communities in Zambia, known as BaTwa and possible descendants of recent hunter-gatherers. We genotype over two million genome-wide SNPs from two BaTwa populations (total of 80 individuals) and from three comparative farming populations to: (i) determine if the BaTwa carry genetic links to past hunter-gatherer-groups, and (ii) characterise the genetic affinities of past Zambian hunter-gatherer-groups. The BaTwa populations do harbour a hunter-gatherer-like genetic ancestry and Western African ancestry. The hunter-gatherer component is a unique local signature, intermediate between current-day Khoe-San ancestry from southern Africa and central African rainforest hunter-gatherer ancestry.

Suggested Citation

  • Gwenna Breton & Lawrence Barham & George Mudenda & Himla Soodyall & Carina M. Schlebusch & Mattias Jakobsson, 2024. "BaTwa populations from Zambia retain ancestry of past hunter-gatherer groups," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50733-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50733-y
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