Marginalization of Maasai Pastoralists in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

"A study to assess the impact of agricultural development and wildlife conservation on Maasai pastoral commons was carried out in 1989 in two villages in Norther Tanzania. Maasai had occupied this area of about 400 sq km from ca. 1400 A.D. Intercensal analyses show a sixfold population increase between 1947 and 1989. Before 1960, 70% of the population was Maasai; in 1989 Maasai are just 29%, immigrant Waarusha 52%, and other tribes, 20%. The area is contiguous to Tarangire Park which was an integral part of the Maasai grazing ecosystem before its establishment in 1972. Wild herbivore biomass density was 4197 kg/sq km. Wildlife utilizes the pastoral grazing commons but pastoralists are forbidden to graze and water in the park. It was concluded that the immigrants had occupied wet season grazing land for the Maasai; turned it into agricultural land. Wildlife conservation denied accessibility into grazing commons."