What is Nomadic Pastoralism?
Pastoralism is a method or strategy which is related to the herding of animals such as goats, sheep and cattle. Nomadic pastoralism is a kind of pastoralism. In this pastoralism is livestock are herded to seek fresh pastures to graze. Nomads are tribes and groups of people.
The Nomad tribe do not permanently settle in one place. They move around from one place to another to look for their livelihoods their movements have no fixed pattern. They do not have a permanent adobe. The origin of nomadic pastoralism can be found in the Middle Ages. Around 8500 BC to 6500 BC, it is said during this time the first nomadic pastoralist society developed somewhere.
The important feature that is needed to be mentioned is that nomads usually have the same occupation i.e. they herd cattle. They also use their cattle for other purposes like dairy products such as furs, milk, curd, hides, leather, manure etc. So we can say that the pastoral nomads main feature is the movement from place to place in search of pasture for their cattle and to trade their products.
Nomadic Pastoralism in India
Many Nomads tribes in India are found that practice nomadic pastoralism. They generally live in hilly or mountainous regions. They also prefer to live in the areas containing grass, shrubs and forests etc. because it will provide them with pastures for their cattle to survive and grow. In search of such areas, they used to move from one place to another so that they could find ideal climates and temperatures for cattle such as sheep and goats.
In different states of India such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh etc. have a lot of tribes that practice nomadic pastoralism. Let us know about these tribes in detail.
Gujjar Tribe From Garhwal
The location of Garhwal is in the mountainous region of the Himalayas in Uttrakhand. A pastoral nomad tribe is found in this region called the Gujjar tribe. The origin of this tribe can be traced back to the Jammu region, but around the 19th century, the Gujjar tribe came south to the hills of Uttar Pradesh in the search of fresh pastures for their cattle.
Now, this tribe can be found wandering around the hilly areas of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions. They live in the grasslands of the Bugyals in the summertime while during winter they move to the region of Bhabar as it is covered in dry forests. This is the cyclic movement of the Gujjars between seasons.
Dhangars From Maharashtra
The Dhangars tribes are found in Maharashtra. This is a are a prominent tribal community. This can be understood that the word “dhangar” is related to the wealth of cattle in Sanskrit. The Dhangars people are traditionally blanket weavers, butchers, cattle herders, occasionally farmers, cow and buffalo herders.
They live in an agricultural area of Maharashtra’s called the Konkani region from January to June. They move to the plateaus before the hitting of the monsoon hits as the heavy rainfall is not suitable for the cattle, especially the sheep.
Gollas Herders of Karnataka
The tribe of Gollas Herders are found in Karnataka and in also in some part of Andhra Pradesh. The area has become semi-arid because of very little rainfall. They live here because this region is covered in shrub forests and grasses. This provides pastures for the cattle. The Gollas only herd cattle. When the weather conditions are not in their favour they practice other occupations because farming is not possible in extreme weather conditions.
Raikas of Rajasthan
The deserts of Rajasthan is the home of this pastoral nomad. The tribe can be broadly classified into two groups. The first one is called the Maru group, they usually rear camel, and the second one is the Raikas who usually herd sheep and goats. The Raikas live in their villages of Rajasthan in the time of the monsoons. Their villages are mostly in the states of Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur etc. After the end of the rainy season, the pastures dry up hence again they start wandering in search of newer pastures and water for their cattle.
Nomadic Pastoralism in Africa
Nomadic Pastoralism is also found in Africa. In fact, more than half the population of the pastoral are found in the African continent. It is an estimation that around 22 million pastoral nomads are still living in Africa today. The Berbers, Maasai, Boran, Somali and a few others are some of the famous pastoral nomad tribes in Africa.
The main work of these tribes is to raise cattle such as camels, goats, donkeys, sheep etc. They earn money by selling the products that they get from the cattle such as meat, milk, hides, wool, fur, etc. They also perform other activities with cattle herding. They also perform agriculture and do small jobs to earn their income.
The tribes of Africa had faced major losses because of colonial rule. When the colonial rule ended in many parts of Africa it was quite late because it had already done a lot of damage to the tribes.
Do You Know?
The Maasai is considered one of the more prominent tribes of Africa. They were recognised as a tribe of rich culture and wealth. But colonialism has generated a lot of problems for them. As a result of this, they lost huge portions of their lands that were fertile and used for grazing.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article we have covered information about pastoral nomads and related aspects. Pastoral nomads and their movements have adapted to new changes that they are facing such as the change of the paths of movement, reduced number of cattle. They are also learning about the new rights they have in the new era provided by the government. It is very important for them to learn the trick and strategies to survive with their cattle. The government is also planning to uplift their lives and provide the basic necessities.
FAQs on Pastoral Nomad and their Movements: Nomadic Pastoralism in India & Africa
1. What is pastoral nomadism and what are its key features?
Pastoral nomadism is a way of life where communities primarily depend on raising and herding livestock, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. A key feature is their seasonal movement from one place to another in search of fresh pastures and water for their animals. This mobility is a crucial survival strategy, allowing them to adapt to changing environmental conditions and avoid depleting resources in any single area.
2. Who are the major pastoral nomadic communities in the mountains of India?
India's mountainous regions are home to several pastoral communities. Key examples include:
- Gujjjar Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir, who herd goats and sheep and practise transhumance, moving between high-altitude summer pastures and low-lying winter grazing grounds.
- Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh, who also follow a similar seasonal cycle of movement between the Siwalik hills and the higher meadows of Lahaul and Spiti.
- Bhotiyas and Gujjars in Garhwal and Kumaon, who migrate to the high-altitude meadows, or 'bugyals', in summer and return to the Bhabar forests in winter.
3. What are some examples of pastoral communities on the plateaus, plains, and deserts of India?
In the plateaus, plains, and deserts, pastoral movements are dictated by the monsoon and dry seasons. Notable communities include:
- Dhangars of Maharashtra, who are primarily shepherds. They stay on the central plateau during the monsoon and move to the Konkan coast during the dry season.
- Gollas, Kurumas, and Kurubas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, who herd cattle, sheep, and goats, moving between dry forests and coastal tracts based on seasonal rains.
- Raikas of the Rajasthan desert, who combine cultivation with pastoralism, moving out in search of pasture when their village grazing lands become dry.
4. Which are the prominent pastoral communities in Africa?
Africa has a large and diverse pastoral population. Some of the most prominent communities include the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, known for raising cattle; the Berbers and Tuaregs of the Sahara; the Somali pastoralists in the Horn of Africa; and the Boran communities. These groups primarily raise cattle, camels, goats, and sheep, selling milk, meat, and hides for their livelihood.
5. How did colonial rule impact the movements of pastoral nomads in India and Africa?
Colonial rule severely disrupted the lives of pastoral nomads. The colonial governments implemented policies that had a negative impact:
- Forest Acts: Large areas of forests were declared 'Reserved' or 'Protected', restricting pastoralists' access to traditional grazing grounds.
- Grazing Taxes: Heavy taxes were imposed on the number of cattle, creating a significant financial burden.
- Creation of Borders: The drawing of international boundaries, such as the one that split Maasailand between Kenya and Tanzania, cut off traditional grazing routes and restricted mobility.
- Wasteland Rules: Uncultivated lands were taken over and given to select individuals for cultivation, shrinking the available pastureland.
6. Why is the seasonal movement of pastoralists essential for the environment?
The seasonal movement of pastoralists is a sustainable practice that benefits the environment. By moving their herds regularly, they prevent overgrazing in any one area, allowing vegetation time to regrow. Their animals' manure also acts as a natural fertiliser, enriching the soil and promoting its fertility. This rotational system ensures the long-term health and productivity of the grasslands and forests they use.
7. What is the core difference between the movement patterns of mountain pastoralists and plateau pastoralists?
The primary difference lies in the direction and trigger for their movement. Mountain pastoralists, like the Gujjar Bakarwals, practise vertical migration or 'transhumance'. They move up to high-altitude pastures in the summer to escape the heat and find lush grass, and descend to lower valleys in the winter to escape the snow and cold. In contrast, plateau pastoralists, like the Dhangars, engage in horizontal migration, driven by the cycle of monsoon and drought. They move from arid or semi-arid plateaus to wetter coastal or forest regions during the dry season and return with the onset of the monsoon.
8. What are the common challenges faced by pastoral nomads in the modern world?
In the modern world, pastoral nomads face numerous challenges that threaten their way of life. These include the loss of grazing lands due to agricultural expansion and urbanisation, restrictions on movement due to political boundaries and forest laws, conflicts with settled agricultural communities, and the impacts of climate change on pasture and water availability. Furthermore, they often lack access to formal education and healthcare services, which presents further difficulties.
