Among two ethnic groups in central Africa, masturbation and homosexuality seem not to exist.
Sparked by campfire discussions with men from two ethnic groups in central Africa – the Aka and Ngandu – researchers Barry and Bonnie Hewlett decided to take a closer look at the groups’ sexual patterns and philosophies.
They found that while the Ngandu were aware of homosexual behavior, no word existed for it in their language. And none of those interviewed knew of any homosexual relationships in the village.
As reported on The Atlantic:
Men who had traveled to the capital, Bangui, said it existed in the city and was called ‘PD’ (French for par derriereor from behind).’
While the Hewletts found that masturbation wasn’t ‘frowned upon or punished,’ it was not practiced and neither the Aka or Ngandu had a true concept of the act.
Both groups also saw sexual intercourse as more of a duty rather than for pleasure, despite married couples reporting that they have sex three or four times during the night.
In both cultures, men and women view sexual intercourse as a kind of ‘work of the night.’ The purpose of this work is the production of children — a critical matter in an area with a very high infant mortality rate. Semen is understood by the Aka and Ngandu to be necessary not only to conception, but also to fetal development. A woman who is already pregnant will see having intercourse as contributing to the health of her fetus.
Read more about the Hewletts’ findings here.