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Understanding pastoral mobility: the case of Senegalese Fulani
Author(s) -
ADRIANSEN HANNE KIRSTINE
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geographical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1475-4959
pISSN - 0016-7398
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-4959.2008.00278.x
Subject(s) - pastoralism , geography , livestock , ethnic group , rangeland , environmental resource management , socioeconomics , sociology , agroforestry , economics , anthropology , forestry , biology
Based on a case study from Sahelian Senegal, this paper analyses how various actors perceive the importance of pastoral mobility and presents issues of importance for understanding the use of mobility among Fulani of Ferlo. One knowledge system is a scientific one, the ‘new rangeland paradigm’. According to this, pastoral mobility is a means to balance variability in dryland resources; hence, ‘nature’ is the point of departure. Another knowledge system is local pastoral knowledge. For the pastoralists, the well‐being of their animals is the point of departure and mobility is used to ensure that the livestock are in good condition. The paper shows that it is important to distinguish between mobility of pastoralists and of their herd; even though the pastoralists of northern Senegal have become semi‐sedentary, their herds are still quite mobile. The pastoralists are willing to move around within a small territory, which they consider their place, but are unwilling to employ large‐scale mobility themselves. Mobility is not of importance for their ethnic identity and some use paid herders to care for their livestock. By looking at both knowledge systems, we achieve a better understanding of pastoral mobility and how this may change in the future.