ABSTRACT
In a society which has not become stratified, the Pigmy hunters supply the Yaunde agriculturists in the south of the Cameroons with meat and receive agricultural produce in return. These agriculturists, who have taken to a sedentary life, are able to congregate in large settlements and, owing to their more regular food, have a better prospect of rearing their children than hunters or collectors. Compared with them, the position of the hunters is constantly becoming less favourable. The economics of the New Zealand Maoris were based on the village community. All the inhabitants of a village, who were usually related to each other and claimed to be of common descent, belonged to the same clan. The belief in the intervention of supernatural powers in all economic activity, whether in the getting of food-stuffs or the preparation of tools and utensils, of weapons, boats, or houses, led to the peculiar regard paid to all possible influences, whether helpful or harmful.
