The Doma, A Two-Toed Tribe

The Doma, also known as Vadoma, or Wadoma, are a tribe living in north Zimbabwe, in the Urungwe and Sipolilo areas on the Zambezi river.

A small minority of this tribe have something in common: they have a foot deformity condition called ectrodactyl. Ectrodactyl is a condition when the three middle toes are not present on the foot; only the outer two toes are present and turned in. This has resulted in the tribe being called "two-toed" or "ostrich footed".
Ectrodactyl is an autosomal dominant condition derived from a single mutation on chromosome number seven. Those who have this deformity are not handicapped and integrate well into the tribe. The condition continues because of the small genetic pool among the Vadoma and tribal law that forbids marrying outside the tribe. It is believed this deformity may be a help in climbing trees.
Ectrodactyl is also known as a split foot malformation and it can be described as "claw-like". Those with ectrodactyl can also have hearing loss. It does occur throughout the world, in 1 in 90:000 births while limb defects occur in 1 in 1000 births. Ectrodactyl occurs in animals as well, affecting cats, dogs, mice, salamanders, cows, chickens, and others.
The Vadoma are an example of the genetic effects of a small population size and genetic defects with their deep inbreeding. They are also an isolated tribe, and have developed and maintained ectrodactyl better than other groups.
If you have a foot deformity, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Foot Deformity Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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