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East African Pastoralism in Transition: Maasai, Boran, and Rendille Cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2014

Elliot Fratkin
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Abstract

Pastoralist societies in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) face more demands on their way of life than at any previous time. Population growth, loss of herding lands to farmers, ranchers, game parks, and urban growth, increased commoditization of the livestock economy, out-migration by poor pastoralists, and dislocations brought about by drought, famine, and civil war are increasing throughout the region. These problems are intensified as international development programs encourage privatization and individuation of formerly communally held resources. The examples of the Maasai, Boran, and Rendille of Kenya demonstrate that East African pastoralists are responding to the social, political, and economic challenges with increased economic diversification including agro-pastoralism, wage labor, and increased market integration. These changes result in increased social and economic stratification, urban migration, and diminished nutrition for women and children.

Résumé

Résumé

Les sociétés pastorales de l'Afrique de l'Est (Kenya, Tanzanie, Ouganda) voient leur mode de vie soumis à des demandes plus impérieuses qu'à tout autre moment de leur histoire. La croissance démographique, la perte des terres d'élevage au profit des fermiers, des propriétaires des ranchs, des pares d'attraction et du développement urbain, la commercialisation accrue de l'économie de bétail, l'émigration des éleveurs pauvres, et les bouleversements occasionnés par la sécheresse, la famine et la guerre civile augmentent dans toute la région. Ces problèmes s'intensifient alors que les programmes internationaux de développement encouragent la privatisation et l'individualisation des ressources autrefois mises en commun. L'exemple des Maasai, des Boran, et des Rendille au Kenya démontre que les éleveurs pastoralistes Est-Africains répondent aux défis sociaux, politiques et économiques par une plus grande diversification économique, comprenant l'agro-pastoralisme, les salaires à la tâche, et une plus grande intégration sur les marchés. Ces changements ont pour résultat l'accroissement de la stratification éconmique et sociale, la migration urbaine et l'appauvrissement de la nutrition chez les femmes et les enfants.

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African Studies Review , Volume 44 , Issue 3 , December 2001 , pp. 1 - 25
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Copyright © African Studies Association 2001

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