How Environment Influences the Higher Needs of the Khirghiz. Where geographical conditions cause nomadic herding to be the chief occupation, man's higher needs are usually neglected. Thus the Khirghiz, secure in their remote grasslands, pay little attention to the central government. If a crime is committed, if a feud breaks out, or if a new trail is needed, they take the matter into their own hands. In each group of relatives who pitch their tents together the oldest, or the most competent of the older men is the chief or patri arch. He rules by his sense of justice and by the dictates of custom instead of by written laws such as we submit to.
Among nomads like the Khirghiz education and science are even less developed than government. The individual communities are too small to have schools. The absence of contact with outside people and their own lack of inquisitiveness prevent the Khirghiz from making scientific discoveries. In religion they are content to follow many Mohammedan customs, but are too isolated to get any new ideas or even to follow fully the practices of other Mohammedans. Art finds almost its only chance for expression in the woolen rugs, bags, and felts which the Khirghiz use for many purposes. Thus civilization remains stationary. The Khirghiz are not savages; but the gulf between them and the more enlightened nations is growing wider. The influence of European civilization has begun to reach them, but their mode of life will probably change only a little so long as they depend chiefly upon the grass of the plains and high plateaus.
Geography and other Influences.—In spite of its great impor tance, as illustrated by the life of the Khirghiz, we must think of geography as only one of the factors that influence human character. Some persons are born with high ability and some without. A man of great energy and a fine mind even in a debilitating climate far from educational advantages and other opportunities, is worth more than a weak stupid man who lives in the most favorable place in the world. Even. an apparently dull boy who has the determination to make himself of value will succeed better in a poor environment than will a bright boy who lives amid better surroundings, but has not the will to live up to high ideals. So, too, the right kind of government, a good education, or a religion which leads people to serve the public instead of seeking their own petty ambitions may make people amount to more in a poor environment than in a good one without such influences. Moreover, mankind is constantly learning to over come the influence of unfavorable circumstances, and is even caus ing them to help him. Thus although good geographical surround ings are highly desirable, it must constantly be remembered that they are only one of the great factors which determine the progress of a nation.