Since Mead, Kinsey and Freud we’ve known that sexual neuroses, as well as violence, are endemic, pervasive, often debilitating, but not universal among Homo sapiens. Our closest, equidistant genetic relatives are chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and bonobo (Pan paniscus) apes. The three species share a common ancestor six or seven million years ago. It is thought that differences between chimps and bonobos might illuminate the extent to which human behaviors are genetic, societal or environmental. With autocracy, warfare and nationalism rising globally, amid the pressing need for greater worldwide ecological cooperation, the relevance of this topic is also growing.
Research is ongoing and subject to debate. Both species, like so many others, are endangered due to human incursion on habitats. Both share many behaviors. Chimps have a much larger range, north of the Congo River in central Africa, bonobos’ habitat is south of the river. Only recognized as a separate species by western science in 1954, it is thought that the name “bonobo” is a misspelling of Bolobo, a city in the Congo basin. Both species are omnivorous, preferring fruit, but bonobos hunt less frequently, are much more generous sharing their prey and enjoy a generally more abundant nutritional environment.
Chimpanzees are patriarchal, territorial, aggressive and competitive, with a strict social structure based on dominance. Bonobos in comparison are matriarchal, passive and cooperative. Bonobo females have longer and more frequent estrus. Female bonobos choose mating with males who are cooperative and supportive. They achieve leadership through forming alliances, rather than physical dominance, as is the case among chimpanzee males. Bonobos have a very wide variety of sexual expression, manifesting as greeting, bonding and conflict resolution, with little regard for gender, familiarity or age. Among chimps sex occurs according to social hierarchy or is stolen at risk of violent retribution.
How much these differences explain H. sapiens behavior, past or future, is unclear but certainly interesting. In the U.S. over five hundred bills limiting LGBTQ rights were considered by state legislatures in 2023, with eighty-four passing. The fascination with sex and aggression is apparent in human entertainment and in the drama of economic and political reality. Perhaps our primate relatives can shed light on how these obsessions might become more benign.
Bonobos are not entirely free of violence. After all they, and chimps and we, are apes.
I did see Lucy a few years ago in New York. She is 6 million years old - what I noticed is how similar she was to me - especially the scull and teath bones. - Although she was only 4 feet high, I think it was.