Page 109 - Understanding NCERT Histroy 09th
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3.2 The Borders are Closed
l The colonial government has imposed several restrictions on their movement, since 19th
century.
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
l Pastoralists were considered as dangerous and savage by the white settlers and the
European colonisers.
l The new territorial boundaries and restrictions imposed on them suddenly changed the
lives of pastoralists, which adversely affected both their pastoral and trading activities.
3.3 When Pastures Dry
l During drought pastoralists searched new areas for forage, thus making them wander
from one region to another. Nomadism allowed them to survive.
l From the Colonial period Masais were cut off from best grazing grounds and forced
to live in areas prone to droughts. Large number of their cattle died to starvation and
disease during drought. In just 2 years of drought between 1933–1934, over half the
cattle in the Maasai Reserve died.
l Frequent bad years further aggravated their misery.
3.4 Not All Were Equally Affected
l In Maasai land, all pastoralists were not equally affected by the changes introduced
during the colonial period.
l Before colonialism Maasai society was divided into two social groups – elders and
warriors.
l The ruling group was formed by the elders and they met in periodic councils to take
decisions on the community affairs and settle disputes.
l The warriors group consisted of younger people, whose responsibility was to defend
the community and organised cattle raids.
l The British imposed restrictions on raiding and warfare, thus eroding the traditional
authority of elders and warriors.
l New chiefs of various sub-groups of Maasai appointed by the British, accumulated
wealth over time. Many of them began living in towns and became traders. These chiefs
managed to survive devastations of war and drought.
l The life history of the poor pastoralists was different. During the war and famine, they
lost nearly everything.
Conclusion
l With the changes in the modern world the Pastoral communities are affected differently
in different parts of the world.
l The creation of new laws and new territorial divisions affected the pattern of their
movement . But they are not redundant communities rather recognised as the perfectly
suitable communities for many hilly and dry regions by environmentalists and economists.
H-100 History Class IX
