Economy

The Khoikhoi kept large herds of fat-tailed sheep, long-horned cattle, and goats. Their livestock was primarily used for milk, and were only slaughtered during ritual occasions. It was customary for men with no livestock to work as "servants" for wealth livestock owners. In return for tending to the herd, the servants had free access to the milk and usually received payment in the form of a small amount of livestock.

The Khoikhoi measured their wealth in livestock—cattle, sheep, and goats. Those without livestock - were considered to be of a lower class than the Khoikhoi.