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Khoikhoi herders of the Late Stone Age

The Khoikhoi herders, how they differed from the San, and what they learnt from each other. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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San and Khoikhoi

SanKhoikhoi
FoodWild animals and plantsMilk, meat (and hides) from their animals
GroupsSmall groups moving aroundMove with their animals; a chief and advisers
WealthFew possessionsHow many animals a family owns
New object—Clay pots

A pastoral way of life (pastoralism) means living mainly from herding livestock. The Khoikhoi were pastoralists: their sheep and cattle gave milk, meat and skins for clothes, and were a sign of wealth. The San learnt about livestock from the Khoikhoi; the Khoikhoi learnt about wild plants and medicines from the San. Conflict arose when herds grazed the San’s hunting land. The Khoikhoi traded livestock for iron and beads. Both used fire for cooking, warmth and safety.

The Khoikhoi were herders of cattle and fat-tailed sheep.
The Khoikhoi were herders of cattle and fat-tailed sheep.
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After the Europeans

After Europeans settled at the Cape, many Khoikhoi groups lost their land and herds. We know about San life from rock art, tools and food remains; rock-art sites are fragile and can’t be replaced.

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Together on the same land

The Khoikhoi herders and the San hunter-gatherers shared the same land. They traded, some San worked for herders, and their languages and customs influenced each other.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • The Khoikhoi kept sheep, goats and cattle; the San did not.
  • Semi-nomadic: moving, but not all the time, to find fresh grazing and water.
  • Houses of bent poles with reed mats, easy to take apart to move.
  • Herding began about 2 000 years ago, in the Late Stone Age (tools were still made of stone).
  • San and Khoikhoi together: the Khoisan.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Khoikhoi = cows (livestock). San = stalking (hunting).

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

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Test yourself · Part 2

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