The Pokot tribe of Kenya are one of the most interesting tribes I have heard of so far. This is because their economy is mostly based on how many cows an individual household owns. About one quarter of the population are "corn people", and the rest are "cow people". Both groups measure their wealth by the number of cows one owns. Within the tribe, cows are used for exchanges, trades, and most significantly bridge wealth. Also, depending on the number of cows you own, a person is permitted to marry more than one woman, as long as he has enough cows to offer to her family in exchange. This is their primary way to run the economy in Pokot tribe.
Since the cows are so valuable alive, they are rarely killed for meat. They also provide butter, milk , and cheese which are essential component of Pokot everyday needs. Because of its value to the tribe, the Pokot people look to surrounding tribes and villages for livestocks. The surrounding villagers and herders are always on alert for Pokot tribe members as many have been attacked before for their livestock. Most herders now a days even carry guns as they always run into Pokot tribe members.
http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/pokot_tribe.html
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