非洲“矮人国”亲历记

Liliput in African Jungles

童年时代,小矮人的故书使我入了迷,连做梦都想到“矮人国”一游。后来从报刊得知,在非洲的原始丛林中真有一个“矮人国”。于是,到“矮人国”一游就成为我多年来埋藏在心底的愿望。前不久。

In the primitive forest of the Republic of Central Africa dwell the shortest human kind in the world, the Pygmies. In outward shape they look the same as other African black people except that their average height is but 130cm and average weight merely 40 to 50 Kg. American scientists believe that this is caused by absence of a gene with similar functions of insulin in the body of the Pygmies. The Pygmies are ancestors of modern central Africans. They stay in primitive tribes and live by fishing, hunting, collecting wild fruits. They are well adapted to jungle conditions. The Pygmies are warm, hospitable, loyal to each other and tolerant. They are good singers and dancers too. In the invasion of modern civilization, some Pygmies have begun farming. With the assistances from government and other organizations, they begin to participate in social activities out of their jungles.