Nomadism is a special type of economic activity in which the majority of the population is engaged in nomadic pastoralism. Sometimes nomads (nomads) are mistakenly called all people leading a mobile lifestyle. These include hunters, gatherers, slash-and-burn farmers, fishermen and even gypsies.
When studying this issue, as a rule, a lot of opinions, discussions arise, the clarity of the wording disappears. Therefore, we take the following definition as a basis: nomads are migratory peoples living off pastoralism. It reflects the essence of the concept to a greater extent.
Nomads and nomadism
Not all pastoralists are nomads. Experts note three main signs of nomadism:
- extensive cattle breeding should be the main type of economic activity;
- special culture and worldview of nomadic communities;
- regular movement of people and livestock.
The habitats of nomads have historically been steppes, semi-deserts or high mountainous regions. That is, the nomadic type of management developed in conditions of a sharply continental climate, in places withlow rainfall, with limited water and food sources. Such territories are called arid zones.
The population density of nomadic peoples is extremely low: it usually ranges from 0.5 to 2 people per square meter. kilometer. This type of settlement is dictated by the basic principle of nomadism - this is the necessary correspondence between the number of livestock and the water and fodder resources of a particular arid zone.
The origin of nomadism
The history of the nomadic world covers a period of time of approximately three millennia. But scientists have doubts and disagreements about both the indicated dates of occurrence and other moments associated with nomadism. There are many points of view that are not supported by indisputable arguments.
Perhaps, some believe, the nomads appeared among the hunters. Another point of view argues that this process was facilitated by forced resettlement in risky farming areas. That is, the birth of nomadism is an alternative to risky farming in areas with unfavorable conditions, where part of the population was forced out. Adapting to new conditions, these communities were forced to engage in nomadic pastoralism.
Classification of nomadism
The history of the study of nomadism allows us to classify the types of nomadism. But it should be noted that their number is large and continues to grow as experts in this field study the issue.
The most common schemes are considered based on the degreesettlement and economic activity:
- nomadic;
- semi-nomadic, semi-sedentary;
- distillate;
- seasonal (summer and winter pastures).
Some schemes are expanded by types of nomadism:
- vertical (mountain and lowland);
- horizontal (latitudinal, meridional, circular, etc.).
Geographically, experts identify six main zones in which nomadism has been widespread to date:
- Steppes on the territory of Eurasia. Here, historically, "five types of livestock" are bred, namely: horses, cattle, sheep, goats and camels. The nomads of this zone: Mongols, Turks, Kazakhs, Kirghiz - created powerful steppe empires.
- Middle East. The local population: Kurds, Pashtuns, Bakhtiyars - breeds small cattle, and horses, donkeys and camels are used as vehicles.
- Sahara, Arabian desert. The main occupation of the Bedouins is camel breeding.
- East Africa. The local population breeds cattle.
- Highland regions (Tibet, Pamir, Andes). Yaks, llamas, alpaca are kept here.
- Zones of the Far North (subarctic). Chukchi, Evenki and Saami breed reindeer.
Life and culture of nomads
Forced to move in search of new pastures, pastoralists use various easily dismantled, lightweight structures for housing. It can be tents, tents, yurts. The frame of such a dwelling is fixed rigidly on the ground, and is covered from above with wool, leather orfabric materials.
Household utensils should also be easy to transport, that is, suitable materials are wood, leather, metal. Clothes and shoes were made of leather, wool and fur. The nomads were not completely isolated from the agricultural peoples. They could keep in touch with them, but they did well without their products for a long time.
As a type of culture, nomadism presupposes a special perception of time and space, a peculiar cult attitude towards cattle, glorification of endurance, unpretentiousness and hospitality in people. The culture of nomadic peoples is characterized by the reflection of a warrior-rider, earner, hero in oral art and in the visual arts.
The rise of nomadism
The heyday of nomadism is a time period approximately from the 10th to the 15th century. It is associated with the emergence of entire nomadic empires, which were created not far from agricultural civilizations and subjugated them. Various strategies have been used for this. One of the ways was raids and robberies.
The subjugation of the agricultural society and the collection of tribute from it were also used - such an example is the Golden Horde. There were options with the seizure of territories and the subsequent merger with the local population. With the development of trade routes of the Silk Road, stationary caravanserais arose in sections passing through the lands of the nomads.
Decay of nomadism
With the beginning of the modernization of economic sectors, the nomads were unable to compete withthe rapid development of the industrial economy. The advent of improved firearms and artillery put an end to their military, mobile advantage. Nomads were increasingly used in various processes as a subordinate party. As a result, the nomadic economy began to change. In the 20th century, in the socialist countries, there were even attempts to collectivize nomadism, but they ended in failure. Nowadays, many nomads are returning to semi-subsistence farming. The market economy puts harsh conditions on people, and many pastoralists go bankrupt. Today there are only 35-40 million nomads in the world.
The role of nomadism in history is significant. Nomads contributed to the development of territories unsuitable for habitation, created and strengthened trade relations between peoples, and disseminated technical innovations and culture of different states. The contribution of nomads to world, ethnic culture is invaluable. But it is impossible not to talk about the destructive activities of nomadic peoples. Possessing a strong military potential, they destroyed many cultural values in a certain period of time.
Experts, studying materials on the history of nomadism, come to the conclusion that the nomadic lifestyle is gradually disappearing.