The Shepherd's Dilemna

In traveling along the transhumance path, it is important to consider the different variables that encourage transhumance to occur. Transhumance is defined as the pastoral practice of herding a flock across long distances. Starting with the basics, transhumance has been found in relatively inhospitable lands. Termed Arid and Semi-Arid Regions (ASARs), these areas tend to be prone to drought and unpredictable weather. ASARs are also known for low populations and a use of simple technology.

Transhumance brought many benefits to the societies placed in the ASARs. Interestingly, individuals invested their money in livestock, opposed to gold. This was because flocks were a movable asset and harder to steal. The investment in livestock additionally increased the value of children, as they would be the ones caring for the flock. Transhumance had many other benefits as well, for instance a reduction in viral diseases between animals and people. The open air and little direct contact with the herd is thought to have reduced contamination between the animals and townspeople. In addition, transhumance reduced the costs of shepherds in tending their flock. Moving from area to area allowed previously grazed land time to regenerate and eliminated the need to invest in a water source.

Downsides to transhumance lie in the vulnerability in moving your investment across open lands. By roaming the land, the law and order relied on shepherds rather then a political system. Laws could not be easily enforced because shepherds moved around, so if a crime was committed the shepherds had to deal directly with the issue. Another problem facing shepherds as they move their flock is natural disasters. Without cover, half a flock could be wiped out from fire, flood, pests, or drought. Lastly, the infamous “tragedy of the commons” is responsible for a large amount of danger in transhumance. If shepherds grazed their flock in areas for too long, or didn’t leave enough resources for other shepherds, desertification and inhospitable conditions would affect the overgrazed area. Studying the patterns and type of communities using transhumance, three different civilization have been studied. Tribes with a chief, tribes, and individuals. The examples given to us spread across Africa to the Middle East. 

Starting with examples of tribes with a chief, there are three groups that exemplify the factors encouraging transhumance. In the Central Western Sahara, the Taureg people invested their profits into a flock. However the hierarchical nature of the tribe led to issues, as shepherds controlled the town and reduced the amount of land used for farming. This power dynamic made it difficult, to impossible, for the Taureg to meet the equilibrium between pastoral and agricultural land. Meanwhile in the native reserves of Africa, the Botswana faced terrible conditions leading to their adoption of transhumance. Eventually the British colonial administration attempted to divide the land among “owners,” restricting the movement of herds. This zoning was unable to be enforced, so any farmers hoping to keep cattle out would have to spend more money on fencing. Ultimately, the zoning proved external economies of scale affected the success of transhumance, as the cost of the herd increased with smaller resources available. Lastly, the Rwala located throughout the Middle Eastern territories have decreased their use of transhumance with the introduction of new technologies. The Rwala had migrated with a herd of camels, however trucks made it easier for water to be brought to the cattle. This also led to the shift of herding sheep instead of camels in the area. The most notable factor in this circumstance is that as the society became more developed, the presence of wage labor contributed to the decline of transhumance.

Continuing, the Al-Murrah exhibit a tribe with no chief. Located in the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia, about 20 wells are responsible for providing water for the local inhabitants. The wells are controlled by a tribe or family based on the location, but in times of drought they have been known to help one another. This example shows how it is difficult to provide law and order within a transhumance society. As each group travels, they are responsible with providing the consequences for actions that are detrimental to the community.

Overall, these attributes have been used by countries who are threatened by the transhumance lifestyle to discourage transhumance completely. Transhumance has been successfully discouraged by bribing leaders in tribes, providing advanced technology, and investing in wells or settlements for transhumance communities. As seen with the Rwala, the settlements instigate wage labor, therefore decreasing transhumance. For areas herding camels, the threatened governments have been able to reduce transhumance by taking away the weapons (in this case camels) from the community.

As we traveled through out Italy, it is clear to see how transhumance was a large factor of the Italian’s heritage. Moving from city to city enabled the different villages to trade their valuables in a way that transferred their culture to others in the area as well. Similar structural design can be seen throughout Italy, however the most important aspect is the lifestyle transhumance encouraged. By traveling, the herds were able to acquire nutrients from a variety of plants and provide higher quality milk. When we visited the sheep farm La Porta dei Parchi, one of the partners discussed how the medicinal plants of the area were beneficial to the sheep. In addition, their attempt to keep transhumance alive has a community focus. Their focus is to help the area and live in a healthy way, in this attempt their products can be found in the local farmer's market.The cattle are also given a higher quality of life, and the people of Abruzzi are able to celebrate their cultural heritage. Though the farm is still small now, it is the hope of the farmers that the use of transhumance will be accepted by the rest of the Abruzzi locals.