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African farmers, kraals and cattle

African farmers: agriculture, the kraal, cattle, the chief, barter and the Lydenburg Heads. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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The homestead

  • The huts’ places depended on the people’s status and rank; the head of the homestead was in charge.
  • Floors were smeared with cattle dung and soil. Homesteads stood near water.
  • Men and boys looked after the cattle and smelted iron; women and girls planted and harvested.
The Lydenburg Heads: clay sculptures from long ago.
The Lydenburg Heads: clay sculptures from long ago.
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Other groups and sources

The Khoikhoi were herders who moved with their livestock; unlike the San they kept animals. Hunting words: tracking (following an animal’s trail), stamina (lasting strength), prey (an animal hunted for food). The Lydenburg Heads are clay heads made by early farmers, probably for ceremonies, possibly worn as masks.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Agriculture: sowing crops and keeping livestock; subsistence farming: just enough for your family.
  • A kraal: huts around a livestock pen; the cattle stood in the centre at night, and a fence protected the animals.
  • Cattle for milk, meat and lobola; many cattle showed wealth.
  • The chief had to lead fairly and settle disputes; farmers had a chief over an area, unlike the San.
  • Barter: exchanging one thing for another, e.g. grain or an animal for an iron blade.

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Memory trick

In the kraal the cattle are in the centre: the most precious thing is best protected.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

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Test yourself · Part 2

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