ABSTRACT
Land is the primary conditioning factor and sets negative limits of variation to all cultural advance. It is true that much can be done to change a hostile, infertile and obstinate environment, but this does not occur until the pressure of population or the strategy of the geographical position demands it. The differences in environment may be indirectly responsible for the not unfounded popular opinion that certain tribal groups are more intelligent, adaptable, tractable and teachable than others. The kinship and tribal organisation of the Bantu shows a richness of elaboration curiously at variance with the poverty and simplicity of physical equipment, conveniences and comforts of Native life. To understand the authority of the habits and customs in Native tribal organisation one must remember that the Native lives in three distinct but interrelated environments: the physical, the social, and the imaginary—including the magical and religious.
