CULTURAL RESILIENCE: TRADITIONAL PRACTICES OF KAJIADO PASTORALISTS DURING LA NIÑA OCCURRENCES
Authors: Jane Njeri Kimani, Peter Kipchoge Oloo
Published: March 2024
Abstract
<p>The Kajiado District of Kenya, predominantly inhabited by Maasai pastoralists, has witnessed significant land tenure changes in recent decades, characterized by the subdivision and fragmentation of communal grazing lands into smaller individual parcels. Concurrently, there has been a notable increase in cultivation, particularly in areas traditionally designated as dry season grazing reserves. Moreover, the delineation of protected wildlife conservation areas, such as Amboseli National Park, Chyulu National Park, and Nairobi National Park, has further altered the landscape. To mitigate the impacts of drought, which poses a significant challenge to pastoralist livelihoods, herd mobility remains a key strategy employed by the Maasai. This strategy involves exploiting spatially distinct areas with varying vegetation types and productivity levels. Drought not only diminishes grass biomass but also triggers substantial shifts in botanical composition, affecting the availability of forage resources. Access to diverse vegetation communities and productivity levels is crucial for maintaining stable livestock populations and ensuring their optimal body condition. However, the effectiveness of herd mobility as a coping mechanism is contingent upon a conducive environment characterized by favorable land tenure arrangements and land use practices</p>
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