ABSTRACT
Although the southern slopes of the Zoutpansberg mountains are well watered and the country around Tshivhase's territory exceptionally fertile, there remains a great part of Vendaland that is dry and arid, depending for its whole supply of water on the summer rains. Rain may be induced to fall by religious or magical means. A year of insufficient rain is always followed by the dispatch of an emissary to Mwari with presents of oxen and money as has already been described; if, after this, another year of drought is threatened, the chief consults his nganga to divine the cause. The chief, as well as being held responsible for an even supply of rain is expected to arrange that the harvest shall be abundant. From time to time when, in spite of rain and good conditions, the crops are poor throughout the country, the chief attempts to remedy the fault by magical means.
