Traditional Pastoral Strategies in a Modern World: An Example from Northern Kenya

Abstract

Traditional pastoral economies of sub-Saharan Africa are frequently characterized as ecologically insensitive. Particularly vilified is traditional herd maximizing behavior, by which pastoralists allegedly overstock rangelands to buffer against drought-induced livestock loss. This study analyses household herd data for Rendille pastoralists of northern Kenya to evaluate the effectiveness of herd maximizing behavior and consider its socio-ecological concomitants. Results indicate that maximization remains an effective buffering strategy. However, in the present situation it combines with decreased herd mobility, increased commercial exchange and herd diversification to place additional stress on the modern, sedentary Rendille pastoral economy. Despite this last finding, maximizing behavior may aid the future viability of East African pastoralism by providing a reservoir of highly adapted, surplus animals for restocking programs.