Crops are rotated, and fields are sometimes left fallow. Of considerably more importance is raising livestock. Generally, cattle are used for sacrifices, marriage payments, and for hides and manure, but almost never for milk. Other domestic animals, such as sheep, goats, dogs, and chickens, may also be kept. Trade seems to be highly developed among the tribes of Benin, and regular markets are widespread.
Women do most of the market trading as well as the gathering.
Hunting is done by the men, and fishing, by both sexes. The men also tend to the livestock, clear the land, and perform the bulk of the agricultural work. The women, however, help in the fields whenever they are needed. Most of the Natemba live in neighborhoods of scattered family homesteads, with a few compact villages in different areas. Most of the tribes of the region live in round or rectangular mud or sun-dried brick huts with thatch roofs.