Why could the khoikhoi have more possession than the san
There are a few reasons why the Khoikhoi (also known as the Khoi) may have had more possessions than the San:
1. Settlement and pastoral lifestyle: The Khoikhoi were semi-nomadic pastoralists who practiced animal husbandry and settled in specific areas. Their lifestyle allowed them to accumulate more possessions such as livestock, tools, and household items, compared to the San who were primarily hunter-gatherers and had a more mobile lifestyle.
2. Trade and interaction with European settlers: The Khoikhoi came into contact with European settlers and engaged in trade with them. This interaction provided them access to European goods such as metal tools, weapons, and clothing, which they could accumulate as possessions. The San, on the other hand, had less contact with European settlers and therefore had limited access to these goods.
3. Social organization and resource control: The Khoikhoi had a more complex social organization compared to the San. They had chiefs or leaders who could exert control over resources and possessions within their communities. This hierarchical structure may have allowed certain individuals or families to accumulate more possessions.
4. Access to fertile land and resources: The Khoikhoi often occupied areas with more fertile land, water sources, and abundant resources. This allowed them to establish more settled communities and sustain a higher population, which in turn could result in more possessions being accumulated compared to the San who inhabited more arid or less resource-rich regions.
It is important to note that the possession of material goods does not necessarily equate to a higher quality of life or social value. Different societies have different cultural values and ways of evaluating wealth and well-being. The San, for instance, had strong social networks, extensive knowledge of their environment, and a rich cultural heritage, which are important aspects of their identity and well-being, even if they had relatively fewer material possessions.