Evidence of the interplay of genetics and culture in Ethiopia

Saioa López (), Ayele Tarekegn (), Gavin Band, Lucy Dorp, Nancy Bird, Sam Morris, Tamiru Oljira, Ephrem Mekonnen, Endashaw Bekele, Roger Blench, Mark G. Thomas, Neil Bradman and Garrett Hellenthal ()
Additional contact information
Saioa López: University College London
Ayele Tarekegn: Addis Ababa University, New Classrooms (NCR) Building, Second Floor, Office No. 214, Addis Ababa University
Gavin Band: University of Oxford
Lucy Dorp: University College London
Nancy Bird: University College London
Sam Morris: University College London
Tamiru Oljira: Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBTi)
Ephrem Mekonnen: Addis Ababa University
Endashaw Bekele: Addis Ababa University
Roger Blench: University of Cambridge
Mark G. Thomas: University College London
Neil Bradman: Henry Stewart Group
Garrett Hellenthal: University College London

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The rich linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity of Ethiopia provides an unprecedented opportunity to understand the level to which cultural factors correlate with–and shape–genetic structure in human populations. Using primarily new genetic variation data covering 1,214 Ethiopians representing 68 different ethnic groups, together with information on individuals’ birthplaces, linguistic/religious practices and 31 cultural practices, we disentangle the effects of geographic distance, elevation, and social factors on the genetic structure of Ethiopians today. We provide evidence of associations between social behaviours and genetic differences among present-day peoples. We show that genetic similarity is broadly associated with linguistic affiliation, but also identify pronounced genetic similarity among groups from disparate language classifications that may in part be attributable to recent intermixing. We also illustrate how groups reporting the same culture traits are more genetically similar on average and show evidence of recent intermixing, suggesting that shared cultural traits may promote admixture. In addition to providing insights into the genetic structure and history of Ethiopia, we identify the most important cultural and geographic predictors of genetic differentiation and provide a resource for designing sampling protocols for future genetic studies involving Ethiopians.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23712-w

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