The main difference between transhumance and nomadic pastoralism is that transhumance has a fixed or predictable pattern of movement, whereas nomadic pastoralism has an irregular pattern of movement.
Pastoralism basically refers to herding or tending livestock as the primary occupation. Transhumance and nomadic pastoralism are forms of pastoralism. Both these forms involve the practice of moving livestock to different regions.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Transhumance
– Definition, Features
2. What is Nomadic Pastoralism
– Definition, Features
3. Relationship Between Transhumance and Nomadic Pastoralism
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Transhumance and Nomadic Pastoralism
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Transhumance, Nomads, Nomadic Pastoralism, Pastoral Nomads
What is Transhumance
Transhumance is the practice of moving livestock from one pasture to another in a seasonal cycle. This is a type of nomadism or pastoralism that involves movement between fixed summer and winter pastures, typically lowlands in winter and highlands in summer. Therefore, transhumance involves regular and seasonal movements. Their movements are predictable as each year, the herders pass over the same trails and pastures they already know.
People who practice transhumance typically engage in some form of crop cultivation, as well. They have a permanent settlement, typically in a valley area. Generally, only the herds and a group of people necessary to herd and tend them travel while the main population stays at the settlement. Moreover, transhumance is practised in parts of the world there are mountainous regions and highlands or areas that are too cold to be inhabited.
What is Nomadic Pastoralism
Pastoral nomadism is another type of nomadism, a way of life where people do not live continually in the same place but move periodically or cyclically. This is considered to be a result of the Neolithic revolution and the rise of agriculture. People who follow pastoral nomadism are called pastoral nomads. Furthermore, pastoral nomads mainly depend on domesticated livestock like cows, buffalos, sheep, goats, reindeer, horses, yaks, llamas, donkeys or camels, or mixtures of species. Moreover, they move their herds to other regions seasonally or cyclically to find pastures for their herds. They may also hunt or gather, practice some form of agriculture, or trade with farmers.
Furthermore, there are around 30–40 million pastoral nomads around the globe, and most of them live in central Asia and some parts of the Middle East, the Sahel region of West and North Africa, and some African countries like Nigeria and Somalia. When compared to transhumance, the movement patterns of nomadic pastoralism is irregular and unpredictable. However, it’s important to notice that patterns in pastoral nomadism may depend on many factors like climate, topography, and the type of livestock they own.
Relationship Between Transhumance and Nomadic Pastoralism
- Transhumance and nomadic pastoralism are forms of pastoralism.
- Moreover, both forms involve the practice of moving livestock to different regions.
- In addition to livestock raising, these people may also hunt, gather, or practice some form of crop cultivation.
Difference Between Transhumance and Nomadic Pastoralism
Definition
Transhumance is the practice of moving livestock from one pasture to another in a seasonal cycle, while nomadic pastoralism is a form of pastoralism where herders follow irregular patterns of movement.
Pattern of Movement
Transhumance has a fixed or predictable pattern of movement, whereas nomadic pastoralism has an irregular pattern of movement.
Regions
Furthermore, transhumance mainly involves mountainous regions and highlands or areas that are too cold to be inhabited, whereas nomadic pastoralism is practised in regions with little arable land (land that can be used to grow food). Moreover, most pastoral nomads are found in central Asia and some parts of the Middle East and the Sahel region of West and North Africa.
Conclusion
In brief, the main difference between transhumance and nomadic pastoralism is that transhumance has a fixed or predictable pattern of movement, whereas nomadic pastoralism has an irregular pattern of movement.
Reference:
1. “Transhumance.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., Available here.
2. “Nomadic Pastoralism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Apr. 2021, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Transhumance à la Motte en Champsaur” By Ostinexéna – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Young Masai herder” By Andreas Lederer – young massai (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikiemdia
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