This is the first comprehensive study of Hadendowa Beja pastoralism in Eastern Sudan. The various chapters deal with the effects of drought and of human activities on the natural environment; the effect on pastoral migration patterns, and socio-cultural changes. The authors argue that the recurrent pastoral disasters cannot be blamed only on the pastoralists, but must be related to wider economic and political contexts, in which the pastoralists are becoming increasingly marginalised.
Contents: 1. The natural environment of the Red Sea Hills – Lessons in variability / Hassan Abd el Ati, Ole Reidar Vetaas, Leif Manger -- 2. Vegetation dynamics in the Red Sea Hills – Continuities and changes / Knut Krzywinski, Ole Reidar Vetaas, Leif Manger -- 3. Adaptive forms and processes among the Hadendowa – Coping with unpredictability / Sharif Harir -- 4. Beynd the locality – Urban centres, agricultural schemes, the states and NGOs/ Hassan Abd el Ati -- 5. Making ends meet – Some problems of viability in Hadedowa households / Leif Manger -- 6. The Hadendowa way of life – Survival of a cultural tradition / Leif Manger -- 7. The future of Red Sea Hills pastoralism – links and implications for planning / Leif Manger