The first source I used for my research on the Maasai people and African tribes was from an article entitled "Being Maasai In Markets and Trade: The Role of Ethnicity-Based Institutions In The Livestock Market of Northern Tanzania." In this article, the author claims that
practices, values and social relationships underlying Maasai ethnic identity
are imperitive when practiced in the realm of the livestock market. The Maasai
are only one among almost 120 ethnic groups in Tanzania and many Maasai communities participate in livestock markets in the north. This article focuses on social relationships and characteristics of ‘being Maasai’, and how they aid Maasai producers, sellers, and buyers. In the last couple of decades, the Maasai culture has been able to thrive in the marketplace, It also includes background information on the Maasai tribe.
The Maasai are a pastoral Nilotic tribe that are found in Kenya and Tanzania, around the border. They occupy roughly 150,000 square kilometers. The topography of the land is perfect for livestock farming, which contributes greatly to the economy of the Maasai people. The livestock selected for sales depend on two major criteria. These two criteria are the need to maximize profit and the need to preserve the fertility potential of the family herd. Learning about the Maasai people and the importance of livestock trade was very intriguing and I am excited to continue my research.
This sounds like a very interesting topic! Last time we talked about your research paper it was on a different topic, but I think this topic will be a great topic to research. What made you chose this topic? What kind of livestock are they trading and what are they using the livestock for? I know in some places livestock is used for food, but in other places it is transportation or just a pet. I am excited to learn more about your topic, as I am big in to agriculture and livestock.
ReplyDeleteAs Maddie said, your topic has changed since we last talked about it, but this seems like an even more unique topic containing really interesting information to discover and delve into. I know many people who have traveled to Africa to volunteer or study, and I love learning more about Africa as a continent and its culture. Until reading this, I hadn't realized that tribes there still regard livestock as so valuable and useful. Are these livestock being used for food, labor, both, or something else? I also am very curious, what made you choose this topic? It is an idea I have never once heard of and I wonder what got you interested in it and where you first learned about the Maasai people. I can tell your paper will be great because you are learning about something very different from all other topics. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your research and look forward to seeing the end product!
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