2. Faces of Melanesia

Nembao Village, Utupua Island

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Portrait of a man, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
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Portrait of a man, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands

Utupua IslandSolomon IslandsMelanesiavillage elder

  • Baby with prized possession, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
  • Village nurse and baby with cell phone, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Woman and her children, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
  • Baby with big eyes, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
  • Woman smoking pipe and holding baby, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Village cat, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Three teenage girls, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
  • Village dogs, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
  • Portrait of a girl with a green necklace, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> More photos of the beautiful people of Utupua Island can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/n8TeZ1">http://goo.gl/n8TeZ1</a><br /> <br /> 15/2/14 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Portrait of a boy carrying the TYRP1 gene for blond hair, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands<br /> <br /> A new study genetic study of the islanders (DNA sampling of their saliva) says the reason why a substantial number of Solomon Islanders are blond is due to simple genetics - a gene called TYRP1 that is unique to the Solomons and other parts of Melanesia. The gene is found in 26 per cent of the people from the Solomons. TYRP1 is a recessive gene, which means that both the mother and the father need to pass a copy on to the child for the child to have blonde hair. This results in around 10% of children in Melanesia having blond hair. This mutation in the gene affects melanin synthesis. The gene is not related to the gene for albinism, which results in light coloured hair, eyes and skin due to the complete absence of pigment in the skin. This particular gene has a very strong effect on hair colour, and a much milder effect on eye colour and skin colour. Similar to blonde Europeans, as people grow older their hair gets darker. The gene is rare or absent outside of Melanesia.<br /> <br /> Other photos from Utupua Island can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/ntbUvv">http://goo.gl/ntbUvv</a><br /> <br /> 6/2/14 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Portrait of a smiling young girl, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Woman and baby in door to traditional hut, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Portrait of a pensive young boy, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Portrait of a smiling young boy, Utupua Island, Solomon Islands
  • Portrait of a man, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
  • Three drummers, Utupua Is, Solomon Islands
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