Nomadic Pastoralism :A Precursor to Culture #Pastoralism a subsistence pattern that predates civilization

Human history has passed  through various stages that marked his development. His spirit of enterprise and innovation  are on progress  as the age passed on. One of the striking dispositions  of man is  his ability to adapt to immediate environs. This  tendency is seen  from Pre- historic times well in to the Twenty-First century. Nomadic pastoralism serves as footnotes  of man’s transition to  progress. Its rather a testimony of Man’s transition from  food gatherer to food producer .Moreover, it has changed the lot of history as they made inroads to the civilized  regions. Therefore, not only  does the pastoralism  effected on settled populace  culturally but effected them in a significant manner politically.

 

Definition of Pastoralism

Pastoralism is concerned with the domestication of animals; It  has been purported  that that this practice originated during the later stage of the paleolithic period. Pastoralism is characterized by  man’s reliance on animals to make a living. About the 11th century BP( Before present) pastoralism is visible in certain regions. By definition, pastoralism refers to  taming, feeding  and rearing animals that are friendly to humans, demanding subservience  and loyalty from them, in controlled environment . One of the striking features  of pastoralism  is that the mode of subsistence is based on the products extracted from the animals. They are reared for food and sacrificial purposes. In order to rear animals they  go to distant places for pastures. Thus, this mode of subsistence is indeed migratory in  nature.

Origin  and Regions embracing Domestication of Animals:

The earliest instance of Pastoralism can be traced in West Asia. Regions like Zawi Chemi Shanidar, Ganj Dareh , Qala’at Jaruso which spread between Iraq and Iran; and at   Katal Huyuk  in Anatolia  ( Modern Turkey)  the earliest signs of cattle  rearing  has been recorded . The pastoralism began in these regions  between the  7th  century BCE and the third century BCE. Not later than  Paleolithic age , Reindeers were domesticated in  Siberia whereas Dogs were the first animal  domesticated by humans. Meanwhile, goat, pigs and cattle came to be prominent in these regions a little later. One of the peculiarities pf these animals is that  they were easily tamed and  showed loyalty to their masters. This is an advantage of  the  domestication of animals. They feed on Grass, fodders rich in cellulose and leftover by humans.

 

Extent & Migratory Patterns

A Map showing the distribution of the domestication of Animals across the world . After Robert J Wenke Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind's First Three Million Years(1990)

Another pertinent aspect of  Pastoralism is the Migratory nature of herders. This sets them apart from the agriculturists .The former  travels to  regions farther in search of good pastures. They  have pasture range, that  would range between 150 Km and  25000 Km.  This happens due to socio- economic and cultural factors. The climate determines the Pastoralism. Another major aspect with pastoralism is the Transhumance. It is based on the climatic pattern. Man takes a fixed route and got in fixed destination. This pattern recurs. At times they would detach from agrarian communities especially on sowing  and would return during harvest.  

 

Society

Historians and Archaeologists hold that there was some degree of social relationship.  They were not isolated rather they interacted with  the settled communities and transacted goods as well. Had they had severed the settled communities they would not have existed. Family is the edifice of pastoral society. The grazing range or the territories were distributed among the families. Moreover, Animals were not only used as food but for sacrificial purpose. Speaking of their marriage, Monogamy, polygamy and polyandry were practiced . They used objects of leather and woods that could be easily transported. Additionally speaking of their attire, they wore apparels made of animal hide, shoes without heels and pants.

They were detrimental to their own ascend as a formidable political force as tactic of survival. For instance, pastoralism in Eurasian steppes  made inroads to  China, the great wall of China was built to keep the raids by the Nomads.

 

All in all, Nomadic pastoralism  revolutionized the livelihood of man. It is perceived as a mode of economy  based  on the domestication of animals. Food production is possible through this system. It changed the lot  of human history that they even established massive empires that changed the course of History.

  Pastoralism, Domestication of Animals, Nomad, History. subsistence ,culture

Pastoralism a subsistence pattern that predates civilization