A BATTLE OVER CATTLE IN THE MAASAI LANDS
Like India, Kenya is also a land of many ethnic groups. It is not that Maasais are the largest tribe of Kenya. They may be one of the micro minorities of the population. However, they are better known to the outside world as they are charismatic and known to be legendary warriors. Their dressing looks stunning.
Besides, Maasais live in secluded places, looking for fodder availability to their cattle. Their wealth is measured with the size of livestock holdings. The other tribes like Kukuyis, who are the largest, have merged with the mainstream society, while Maasais have not.
There is a striking resemblance between the Maasai Mara region as well as the Likipia district. The two areas are located in diametrically opposite directions of the country. They are on different sides of the equator line. But, there is absence of the government in both the places. While in Maasai Mara, it is an agreement between the local county and the government that the local Maasai county will look after the area, but in Likipia, the government is just absent.
The problem with Likipia district started in 1900, when Likipia district was formally demarcated by the then imperialistic government. Most of the British, who arrived at Likipia, saw a potential cattle raising ranch in the vast grasslands. The locals, which included Maasais and Samburus were driven out of their homeland to the reserves and the ranches were taken on lease basis. Most of the lease ranges from 99 years to 999 years.
After the Kenyan independence in 1966, some of the British ranch owners left the country. These ranches were taken over by the Maasai communities for grazing their cattle. There were clashes between many tribes like Samburu and Pakots. However, the issues remained unresolved.
At this moment, Maasais own the land here and rest enjoy them on lease basis. Though there is a rule that foreigners cannot own the rural land, there are a lot of loopholes in the law. They invest in rural land by forming a Kenya company or forming a trust. Then, they get into tourism business in these lands.
The unsettled land issues has left large chunk of Likipia district ungoverned. Development is never heard in these areas. Just 20 kms after Nyanuki, a proper road ceases to exist. As one travels toward north-western side of the country, government is unheard of. Even today, Samburu and Pakots fight in a government land near Lake Baringo region. The two tribes have always fought over cattle and the battles are bloody ones. The fight usually starts with one tribe stealing livestock of other. The other retaliates with AK-47 and exchange of fire is common. There will be mortality, but no one cares to complain to the police or the government.
But, that does not mean it is an unsafe place to go. It is safe for anyone, barring these two communities. They are not bothered about outsiders, unless someone is caught in the cross fire. Let alone other modes of communication, there is no road connectivity in these areas.
The biggest challenge for the district is whether the district ecosystem can be restored. On one side, the livestock is denuding the community land, while on the other side; charcoal production in the name of eco-burning is posing a big threat to the entire ecosystem. The land has so much wildlife, which gets into conflict point at times. Either the livestock is killed by a predator or elephants are poached for tusks.
``It is very difficult to handle the situation. The wildlife has to pay the people, if they have to resort to conservation. Otherwise, their living itself will be at stake. That is the reason behind tourism being promoted in a big way, so that the local people get some revenue,’’ said Siva Sundaresan.
Even Eva points out at the number of sheep and goats being added to the livestock, which is contributing more towards land degradation. ``They have slowly started adapting to cash economy. Unlike cattle, goats and sheep can survive adverse conditions and still put on weight. If the cattle do not put on weight, they are useless in the beef market. This poses as a new challenge towards conservation efforts,’’ she pointed out.
When the British ruled Kenya, the Maasais were nomadic. They went around the country, looking for grazing field for their cattle. After they left, they have become semi-nomadic. Not all the Maasais live where their community family lives. When the rain is scarce in the plain region, they move towards mountains. Once it rains in plains, they return to their bomas.
At any given point of time, only 30 per cent of the Maasai family lives in their community. That itself is more than what the arid land of Likipia can take.
Mpala
12-12-2008
Like India, Kenya is also a land of many ethnic groups. It is not that Maasais are the largest tribe of Kenya. They may be one of the micro minorities of the population. However, they are better known to the outside world as they are charismatic and known to be legendary warriors. Their dressing looks stunning.
Besides, Maasais live in secluded places, looking for fodder availability to their cattle. Their wealth is measured with the size of livestock holdings. The other tribes like Kukuyis, who are the largest, have merged with the mainstream society, while Maasais have not.
There is a striking resemblance between the Maasai Mara region as well as the Likipia district. The two areas are located in diametrically opposite directions of the country. They are on different sides of the equator line. But, there is absence of the government in both the places. While in Maasai Mara, it is an agreement between the local county and the government that the local Maasai county will look after the area, but in Likipia, the government is just absent.
The problem with Likipia district started in 1900, when Likipia district was formally demarcated by the then imperialistic government. Most of the British, who arrived at Likipia, saw a potential cattle raising ranch in the vast grasslands. The locals, which included Maasais and Samburus were driven out of their homeland to the reserves and the ranches were taken on lease basis. Most of the lease ranges from 99 years to 999 years.
After the Kenyan independence in 1966, some of the British ranch owners left the country. These ranches were taken over by the Maasai communities for grazing their cattle. There were clashes between many tribes like Samburu and Pakots. However, the issues remained unresolved.
At this moment, Maasais own the land here and rest enjoy them on lease basis. Though there is a rule that foreigners cannot own the rural land, there are a lot of loopholes in the law. They invest in rural land by forming a Kenya company or forming a trust. Then, they get into tourism business in these lands.
The unsettled land issues has left large chunk of Likipia district ungoverned. Development is never heard in these areas. Just 20 kms after Nyanuki, a proper road ceases to exist. As one travels toward north-western side of the country, government is unheard of. Even today, Samburu and Pakots fight in a government land near Lake Baringo region. The two tribes have always fought over cattle and the battles are bloody ones. The fight usually starts with one tribe stealing livestock of other. The other retaliates with AK-47 and exchange of fire is common. There will be mortality, but no one cares to complain to the police or the government.
But, that does not mean it is an unsafe place to go. It is safe for anyone, barring these two communities. They are not bothered about outsiders, unless someone is caught in the cross fire. Let alone other modes of communication, there is no road connectivity in these areas.
The biggest challenge for the district is whether the district ecosystem can be restored. On one side, the livestock is denuding the community land, while on the other side; charcoal production in the name of eco-burning is posing a big threat to the entire ecosystem. The land has so much wildlife, which gets into conflict point at times. Either the livestock is killed by a predator or elephants are poached for tusks.
``It is very difficult to handle the situation. The wildlife has to pay the people, if they have to resort to conservation. Otherwise, their living itself will be at stake. That is the reason behind tourism being promoted in a big way, so that the local people get some revenue,’’ said Siva Sundaresan.
Even Eva points out at the number of sheep and goats being added to the livestock, which is contributing more towards land degradation. ``They have slowly started adapting to cash economy. Unlike cattle, goats and sheep can survive adverse conditions and still put on weight. If the cattle do not put on weight, they are useless in the beef market. This poses as a new challenge towards conservation efforts,’’ she pointed out.
When the British ruled Kenya, the Maasais were nomadic. They went around the country, looking for grazing field for their cattle. After they left, they have become semi-nomadic. Not all the Maasais live where their community family lives. When the rain is scarce in the plain region, they move towards mountains. Once it rains in plains, they return to their bomas.
At any given point of time, only 30 per cent of the Maasai family lives in their community. That itself is more than what the arid land of Likipia can take.
Mpala
12-12-2008
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