Livelihoods of Pastoral Migrants before and after Migration: The Case of Kibondo District, Tanzania

Abstract

It is acknowledged that pastoral migration is recognized as one of adaptation strategies towards declining grazing lands among pastoral societies in many Sub-Saharan African countries. Pastoral migration is used by pastoralists as the key strategy of handling their animals and sustaining their livelihoods as well satisfying their economic necessities in general. The study aimed at assessing livelihoods of pastoral immigrants who have settled in Nyalulanga village in Kibondo District, Tanzania. It examines the livelihoods of pastoral migrants before and after migration. A questionnaire interview was administered to 30 respondents in Nyalulanga village. Quantitative data were analysed by the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) while thematic and content analysis were used to analyse qualitative data. The results show that livelihood diversification has emerged as a major adaptation measure of migrant pastoral households towards rapidly increasing population, severe droughts and the changing socio-economic environment. It was revealed that there was improvement in livelihoods of pastoral migrants when compared to that of their original areas. This was noted to be resulted from adoption of new and diversified livelihoods activities in their destination. Migrant pastoral societies have involved in various livelihoods activities including crop production, livestock keeping, trade, wage labour and driving motor vehicles so as to diversify income sources for household. The study concludes that pastoral migration still and remain to be significant not only as an adaptation strategy for pasture and water shortages but also for changing and improving livelihoods and their determination overtime.  It is recommended that there is a need to identify and strengthen the positive livelihoods effects of pastoral migration and take all negative effects as opportunities for improvement of pastoral livelihoods.

Key words: Pastoral migrants, livelihoods, Kibondo district, Tanzania.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/15-4-01

Publication date: May 28^th 2025