<P> Traditionally, Bantu speakers were not territorially minded like the Europeans, but rather group - related . As long as sufficient land was available, they had only very vague conceptions of borders . Borders were natural features such as rivers or mountains, which were not by any means fixed . </P> <P> Their food acquisition was primarily limited to agriculture and hunting; generally the women were responsible for agriculture and the men drew for the hunt . Except with the Tsonga (and partially the Mpondo), fishing was of surprisingly little importance . The diet consisted of corn (introduced from South - East Asia), meat (mostly wild game, boar, and beef), vegetables, milk, water and grain beer . </P> <P> There were a number of taboos regarding the consumption of meat . No meat of dogs, apes, crocodiles or snakes could be eaten . Likewise taboo was the meat of some birds, like owls, crows and vultures, as well as the flesh of certain totem animals . </P> <P> All Bantu - speaking communities commonly had clear separation between women's and men's tasks . </P>

When did the bantu arrive in southern africa