PASTORALISTS
Pastoralists are communities who move from place to place with their herds of animals like cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and yaks. Their lifestyle is also known as nomadic pastoralism.
Their movement is not random — they follow a seasonal cycle, shifting to areas where fresh grass and water are available. This constant movement is called transhumance.
PASTORAL NOMADS AND THEIR MOVEMENTS
*In the Mountain
Mountain regions in India are home to several pastoral communities. Their entire lifestyle revolves around the seasonal movement of people and animals in search of fresh grazing grounds.
Pastoralists in the mountains cannot stay in one place throughout the year because of the following reasons:
- High mountains are snow-covered in winter, so animals cannot graze.
- Fresh grasses grow in high pastures only during summer.
- Lower hills become too warm in summer, but remain suitable during winter.
Therefore, mountain pastoralists move upwards in summer and downwards in winter.
1. The Gujjar-Bakarwals of Jammu & Kashmir
- The Gujjar-Bakarwals are shepherds and goat herders.
- Their movement is seasonal
- In Summer: They travel to the high Himalayan meadows where the snow melts and fresh green grass grow. Here they graze their sheep and goats.
- In winter: As winter approaches, they descend to the lower Shivalik hills and Jammu region, where temperatures are milder.
- They set up temporary shelters (kothas) made of wood and leaves.
2. The Gaddi Shepherds of Himachal Pradesh
- The Gaddis also practice transhumance, but their route is different from the Gujjars.
- In Summer: They move high up to Lahaul, Spiti, and alpine meadows where rich grass grows.
- In Winter: They return to the lower hills of Kangra and surrounding areas.
- Gaddis depend heavily on their sheep for wool, which they shear and trade.
- Their movement is long and well-planned, covering large distances every year.
3. The Bhotiyas, Sherpas and Kinnauri
- These communities live in the high Himalayas and have their own seasonal movement pattern.
- Bhotiyas of Uttarakhand traditionally moved to Tibet for trade during summer and returned to warmer valleys during winter.
- Sherpas moved within the Himalayan region depending on pastures and weather.
- Their movements were affected when political borders tightened (like India–Tibet border closure).
*On the Plateaus, Plains & Deserts
Pastoral communities are not found only in the mountains.
Large groups live in the Deccan plateau, the plains of north India, and the hot deserts of Rajasthan. Just like mountain herders, they too depend on seasonal changes, monsoon cycles, and availability of water and grass.
1. In the Plateaus – The Dhangars of Maharashtra
- The Dhangars are an important pastoral community of the Deccan plateau. They move because central plateau becomes dry after monsoon, which would result in shortage of grass.
- Their movement is closely linked to the monsoon.
- During the Monsoon: Dhangars stay in the semi-arid central plateau region. They grow bajra, store grain, and feed their animals.
- After the Monsoon: They migrate westward to Konkan (coastal region). Farmers in Konkan harvest rice → fields become open for grazing. Dhangars’ sheep fertilise fields with their dung.
2. In the Plains – Pastoralists of Punjab, Haryana & Western UP
- Many cattle and buffalo herders lived across the plains before modern irrigation.
- After the coming of canal irrigation, a nomadic community that travelled long distances with their herds
3. In the Deserts – The Raikas of Rajasthan
- The Raikas are famous camel, goat, and sheep herders living in the Thar Desert.
- Raikas have deep traditional knowledge about: grazing routes, water sources, medicinal plants, camel care
- During Monsoon: Raikas stay within the desert because a little rain creates enough grass.
- During Dry Season: They move long distances to Haryana, Punjab, and even Madhya Pradesh in search of water and fodder.
COLONIAL RULE AND PASTORALISTS’ LIFE
Before British rule, pastoralists moved freely with their herds across forests, plains, mountains, and deserts.
But when the colonial government took control, their lifestyle changed completely.
*Major Changes faced by pastoralists:
- Loss of Grazing Lands: Britishers converting lands for expansion of cultivation, and for spread of railways and towns
- Forest Acts and Their Impact: The British declared large forests as – Reserved Forests and Protected Forests. this would declared Pastoralists’ movement restricted and risky.
- Grazing Tax System: The British introduced taxes on grazing animals in many regions.
- Criminal Tribes Act (1871): Some pastoral groups were labelled as “criminal tribes”.
- New Borders, Closed Routes: Traditional routes between India–Tibet, India–Central Asia, and Pakistan–India became closed.
- Many Pastoralists Changed Their Occupations
- Decline in Animal Numbers & Traditional Knowledge
*How Did the Pastoralists Cope with These Changes?
- They Changed Their Seasonal Migration Routes
- They Reduced the Size of Their Herds
- Some Settled Down and Took Up Cultivation
- They Took Up New Occupations
- They Adjusted Their Movement Timing
- They Formed New Networks & Alliances
- They Used New Strategies to Protect Their Livelihood
PASTORALISM IN AFRICA
Africa has the highest number of pastoralists in the world. The majority of the continent has dry terrain, seasonal rainfall, and little vegetation, giving pastoralism an important way of life.
Some well-known Pastoral Groups of Africa include:
- Maasai (Kenya & Tanzania)
- Samburu
- Turkana
- Boran
- Fulani
They rear animals such as cattle, goats, camels, sheep, and depend on them for food, trade, and survival.
*The Maasai: A Well-Known Pastoral Community
The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania are one of the most famous pastoral groups in the world.
Traditional Life of the Maasai:
- They had access to vast grazing lands.
- They moved long distances with their cattle depending on rainy and dry seasons.
- Cattle were central to their life — for food, wealth, and social status.
- Their settlements were temporary and movable.
Impact of Colonial Rule on the Maasai:
- Loss of Grazing Lands
- Restrictions on Movement
- Problem of Overgrazing
- Fines and Penalties