Page 110 - Understanding NCERT Histroy 09th

Activities
(Page no. 116)
Q.1. Imagine that it is 1950 and you are a 60-year-old Raika herder living in post-
Independence India. You are telling your grand-daughter about the changes which
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
have taken place in your lifestyle after Independence. What would you say?
Ans. Since the independence, my life has changed. As there is not enough pasture for our
animals, we had to reduce the number of the cattle we keep. We have changed our
grazing grounds also, because the grazing grounds on the banks of the River Indus
have gone with Pakistan and we are not allowed to go there to graze our cattle.
So, we have found alternative grazing grounds in the state Haryana, where we can take
our herds when the harvest has been cut.
At this time they can feed on the stumps of the plants remaining and also fertilise the
soil with manure from their excreta.
Your father did not like a herder’s life and so he decided to become a farmer. I gave
him my savings to buy some land and now he is cultivating food grains. I think you
will have a much better life than what we had.
Q.2. Imagine that you have been asked by a famous magazine to write an article about
the life and customs of the Maasai in pre-colonial Africa. Write the article, giving
it an interesting title.
Ans. Peculiarities of Maasai Culture : The word Maasai means My People (‘Maa’ means
My and ‘sai’ means people, in their language). They are traditionally nomadic and
pastoral people. The male members in their society are divided into two groups –
Elders and Warriors. The elders belong to the higher age group and take decisions in
the community affairs by meeting as a group and also settle disputes.
The Warriors are the younger group who are responsible for the protection of the tribe.
They also organize cattle raids whenever required. Since cattle are their wealth, these
raids were considered important, as in this way they are able to impose their power
over other pastoral groups. However, the Warriors are subject to the authority of the
elders.

TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS

1. Explain why nomadic tribes need to move from one place to another. What are the
advantages to the environment of this continuous movement?
Ans. The nomadic people had a cyclical movement between summer and winter because:
(i) Climatic conditions are primarily responsible for the movement of the nomadic people.
In winter, when the high mountains are covered with snow they move towards hillsand
with the onset of summer, they start their backward journey. Their movement also
depends upon the arrival and departure of the monsoon.
For example, the Gollas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh move towards the coastal
area during the dry season, and leave when the rain comes.
(ii) Fodder for the animals is another important factor which affects the movement of
the nomads. The Gujjar Bakarwals migrate to low hills of the Shiwalik due to the
availability of grazing grounds in the low hills.
(iii) The availability of foodgrains in different regions is also an important factor which
leads their migration. For example, the Dhangars get rice from Konkani peasants.
Impact on the environment of the continuous movement :
(i) The continuous movement allowed the pastures to recover and this also prevents
excess use.

History Class IX H-101