KHOIKHOIN

also spelled Khoikhoi, also called (pejorative) Hottentots, people of southern Africa whom the first European explorers found in areas of the hinterland and who now live either in European settlements or on official reserves in South Africa or Namibia. Khoikhoin (meaning men of men) is their own name for themselves; Hottentot is the term fashioned by the Dutch (later Afrikaner) settlers, probably in imitation of the clicks in their language. Most Khoikhoin are either Nama or Oorlams, the latter term denoting remnants of the Cape Hottentots together with many of hybrid descent. The main Nama concentrations are the Bondelswarts, Rooinasie, Swartboois, and Topnaars; the main Orlams groups are the Witbooi, Amraal, Berseba, and Bethanie. The Khoikhoin are not easily distinguishable physically from the San (q.v.), or Bushmenthe Khoikhoin's slightly taller stature and decidedly longer and narrower head being the only marked differences. War, disease, and absorption into the Cape Coloured communities have dissipated most of the original Khoi groups. Their traditional economy and social organization have thus changed drastically. Formerly, they practiced a herding, hunting, and gathering economy. Although some independent families still lead a nomadic pastoral life, the majority have settled and live by selling their labour, adopting the material equipment, dress, language, and general mode of living of their Europeanized rural environment. It is claimed that most Khoikhoin have become Christian. The former nomadic unitthe patriarchally organized group of related familiesnow finds expression as the ward of a village. The clan tribes, to which persons were affiliated by descent and within which interclan affairs were administered by a council of clan heads, have given way to reserve groups, which are often administered as political units by chiefs and headmen, loyalty to whom defines tribal membership.