Dynamics of Cultural Value of Non-Pastoral Activities among the Daasanach in East Africa

Abstract

Many studies have focused on livelihood diversification among pastoral people in East Africa. The central theme of research on livelihood diversification is to clarify the economic background, contribution and consequences of non-pastoral activities for each household. However, pastoralists diversify their livelihoods not only out of economic necessity, but also by considering the cultural value and social relations, and the diversification process itself might change the value and relations. In this paper, by analysing various economic and socio-cultural contexts, including the opening of commercial farms, I examine how Daasanach youth legitimise their choice to enter into fishing activities that have negative connotations in their cultural value, and how other people view their choice.