A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology

In Eritrea, the shift to sedentary livelihood by the nomadic population has increased dramatically over the last few decades as a result of economic, political, demographic, and environmental changes. A strategic shift to more diversified livelihoods in the form of farming, petty-trade, and wage lab...

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Main Author: Woldetnsae Tewolde
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ethnorêma Association 2019-12-01
Series:Ethnorêma
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ethnorema.it/pdf/numero%2015/05%20Woldetnsae.pdf
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author Woldetnsae Tewolde
author_facet Woldetnsae Tewolde
author_sort Woldetnsae Tewolde
collection DOAJ
description In Eritrea, the shift to sedentary livelihood by the nomadic population has increased dramatically over the last few decades as a result of economic, political, demographic, and environmental changes. A strategic shift to more diversified livelihoods in the form of farming, petty-trade, and wage labor has been intensified due to the declining pastoral economy. This study identified environmental constraints as the main “push” factors causing many people to abandon the traditional pastoral economy, while the provision of social amenities (education, health), and pure drinking water were the “pull” factors attracting people to villages and small towns (sedentary life). The main purpose of this research paper is to provide a fresh outlook at the human and ecological circumstances that trigger the transition from pastoralism to sedentarism in Apollo and Felket areas of Eritrea. Using data gathered mainly through household questionnaire survey and focus group discussion, the paper also aims to investigate whether the changes to sedentary agriculture has led to a successful local economy. Results from this empirical research revealed that the great majority of the settled communities in the study sites get fairly adequate social services and that almost all household heads have no plan on returning to the nomadic way of life. It is anticipated the output from this study will contribute to a better understanding of traditional and changing pastoral systems in Eritrea
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spelling doaj.art-47111f8965e9424589753d981c44966a2022-12-21T23:44:38ZengEthnorêma AssociationEthnorêma1826-88032019-12-0115/20198510810.23814/ethn.15.19.wolA Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and EcologyWoldetnsae Tewolde 0Adi-Keih College of Business and Social Sciences, EritreaIn Eritrea, the shift to sedentary livelihood by the nomadic population has increased dramatically over the last few decades as a result of economic, political, demographic, and environmental changes. A strategic shift to more diversified livelihoods in the form of farming, petty-trade, and wage labor has been intensified due to the declining pastoral economy. This study identified environmental constraints as the main “push” factors causing many people to abandon the traditional pastoral economy, while the provision of social amenities (education, health), and pure drinking water were the “pull” factors attracting people to villages and small towns (sedentary life). The main purpose of this research paper is to provide a fresh outlook at the human and ecological circumstances that trigger the transition from pastoralism to sedentarism in Apollo and Felket areas of Eritrea. Using data gathered mainly through household questionnaire survey and focus group discussion, the paper also aims to investigate whether the changes to sedentary agriculture has led to a successful local economy. Results from this empirical research revealed that the great majority of the settled communities in the study sites get fairly adequate social services and that almost all household heads have no plan on returning to the nomadic way of life. It is anticipated the output from this study will contribute to a better understanding of traditional and changing pastoral systems in Eritreahttp://www.ethnorema.it/pdf/numero%2015/05%20Woldetnsae.pdferitreapastoralismsedentarization
spellingShingle Woldetnsae Tewolde
A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology
Ethnorêma
eritrea
pastoralism
sedentarization
title A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology
title_full A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology
title_fullStr A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology
title_full_unstemmed A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology
title_short A Shift from Pastoralism to Sedentary Agriculture in Apollo and Felket Areas of Eritrea: Impacts on Livelihood and Ecology
title_sort shift from pastoralism to sedentary agriculture in apollo and felket areas of eritrea impacts on livelihood and ecology
topic eritrea
pastoralism
sedentarization
url http://www.ethnorema.it/pdf/numero%2015/05%20Woldetnsae.pdf
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