Call for panelist papers

Wendy Wilson-Fall Announcement
Location
Pennsylvania, United States
Subject Fields
African History / Studies, Anthropology, Environmental History / Studies, Slavery, Social History / Studies

ASA 2019

Pastoralists: Being and Becoming Citizens and Challenges of Belonging

 

Communities in Africa that depend on mobile livestock herding as their major economic activity have struggled with issues of being a language minority, of belonging and with becoming modern citizens throughout the post-colonial period. Nomadic and semi-nomadic herders continuously adjust their production and market strategies in response to changing conditions in the market, the climate,  local demographic patterns, and pasture and water access. Pastoral societies have been confronted with significant identity challenges since the eradication of slavery and the development of rural development policies by the modern state.  Some have become farmers, others herders, and still others live marginal lives between these identities and urban opportunities. Colliding political goals and strategies, such as the emergence of radical Islamist groups, attempts to withdraw from the nation-state, participation in transnational criminal networks and the growth of voluntary herder associations demonstrate, in different ways, the desire of pastoralist communities to actively create a more viable future.  This panel is concerned with exploring the challenges and possibilities for productive futures for Africa’s pastoralist communities as active citizens in their respective countries and their border regions. Papers that explore the situation of formerly casted or slave communities are welcome.

 

Contact Information

Wendy Wilson-Fall, Lafayette College

Contact Email
wilsonfw@lafayette.edu