FROM CATTLE HERDING TO SEDENTARY AGRICULTURE: THE ROLE OF HAMER WOMEN IN THE TRANSITION

Abstract

The Hamer people make up a pastoral and agro-pastoral society that depends predominantly on livestock for its livelihood. Herding livestock involves seasonal migration to find grazing pastures, salt, and water. In the relatively fertile areas of the district, however, the Hamer practice farming and plow their fields with oxen. Due to insufficient rain in the lowlands, sustaining agricultural activities has been problematic despite the gradual increase in agrarian activities. Yet, the pastoral way of life is still unquestionably dominant. Hamer women cultivate sorghum, which has been their staple food for centuries. Migrating to areas with better grazing pastures inhabited by agro-pastoral groups has enhanced trade interactions and furthered the Hamer's growing interest and skills in farming. Such economic interdependence—trade and the essential integration of farming with the pastoral system could have led to the exchange of goods and the change to a more sedentary lifestyle.