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This paper examines the relationship between matrilocal residence and local endogamy, arguing that environmental knowledge, rather than female leadership, is the primary factor contributing to this correlation. Kloos challenges the prevailing view that matrilocality arises where women hold significant economic or political power. He suggests that in environments where crucial, specialized ecological knowledge is essential for survival, matrilocality and endogamy ensure the retention of this knowledge within the local group. This knowledge, often related to horticulture or foraging, is transmitted across generations of women, providing a stable adaptive advantage. The paper uses comparative ethnographic data to support this argument, demonstrating that matrilocal, endogamous societies are frequently found in ecologically challenging or specialized environments.

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