At global desertification conference, pastoralists call for greater recognition
Cattle are a central part of the identity of Andrew Msami’s Maasai community in northeast Tanzania. Herd size determines social position, and many people keep all their wealth in livestock, not banks. In recent years, however, Msami and others have been forced to sell the animals and buy goats, which can handle drought better but […]
In a recent global conference on desertification, members of the Maasai pastoralist community from Tanzania urged for greater acknowledgment of their predicament. Cattle hold significant cultural and economic importance within the Maasai identity, with herd size determining social status and wealth often being stored in livestock rather than financial institutions.
However, climate change has forced many Maasai to sell their cattle and switch to goats, which are more resilient to drought but hold less value both financially and culturally. Andrew Msami, a representative of the Maasai, emphasized that adapting to these shifting climatic conditions is a part of Maasai life, but the current conditions are an existential threat. He explained, "If you lose your identity, it means you have lost everything."
As pastoralists, the Maasai, along with millions of others worldwide who tend herds of livestock, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Drought and land degradation, threatening up to half of the planet's landmass, are rapidly accelerating, posing a severe risk to these communities. Furthermore, pastoralists confront additional challenges such as invasive species, extractive industries, and tourist activities, among others.
To tackle these multifaceted crises, Msami called for the international community to recognize the unique situation of pastoralists and take appropriate action.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
