Among the Bechuanas the possession of cattle and a waggon is a mark of distinction. They mix their porridge with curdled milk, and therefore call a poor man a water-porridge man[48].
Casalis gives an elaborate description of the value which the Basutos attach to the possession of cattle. Wealth, among them, consists in cattle, and this wealth is the base of the power of the chiefs. By means of the produce of their herds they feed the poor, procure arms for the warriors, support the troops in war and entertain good relations with neighbouring nations. Were a chief to lose his cattle, his power would be at an end[49].
The Barotse employ as herdsmen young slaves and sons of poor men[50].
Among the Dinka every man upon an average owns three head of cattle; but there are also poor men, who are the slaves or servants of the rich[51]. We may safely infer that these “slaves or servants” are servants and not slaves.
The sheikh of each Chillook tribe, according to Chaillé Long, detains as slaves those who do not own even a single cow[52]. Probably the same state of things prevails here as among the Caffres: these poor men are not slaves, but compelled by hunger to seek the protection of a rich man.
In the country of the Gallas the value of labour is very small[53].
The Bogos employ freemen as herdsmen and peasants; they also keep maid-servants[54].
Among the Amahlubi there are herdsmen, who serve for wages[55].
We see that, wherever men subsist by cattle-breeding, a peculiar characteristic of economic life presents itself. This characteristic is not the existence of wealth; for wealth also exists among the tribes of the Pacific Coast of North America; yet on the Pacific Coast slave labour is of great use. It is the [[273]]existence of poverty. On the Pacific Coast the “abundant natural supplies in ocean, stream, and forest” enable each man, be he rich or not, to provide for himself; but among pastoral tribes the means of subsistence are the property of individuals; and those who own no cattle have no resource but to apply to the owners for support[56]. Therefore, if labourers are wanted, there are always freemen who readily offer their services; and there is no great use for slave labour[57].
So there is always a supply of labour. On the other hand, the demand for labour is small. There is but little work to be done. Among some pastoral tribes the men spend a great deal of time in idleness[58].