Economic Integration in Pastoral Areas; Commercialisation and Social Change among Kenya's Maasai

Abstract

In this article, I discuss the processes and consequences of pastoralists' partial integration in the market. The theme of externally induced change in production strategies is related to change in social structure and continuity in pastoral culture in the Maasai area of Kajiado District, Kenya. There, partial market integration has taken on a new significance, its character depending on conditions in pastoral society in a dynamic process of commercialisation. In some cases an expulsion of the poor from the pastoral economy is witnessed as social security mechanisms fail. In other cases an integration takes place of the wealthy in the national economy who then similarly withdraw from the pastoral economy, though not necessarily from pastoral social-cultural relationships. Paradoxically, commercialisation may even strengthen certain elements of pastoral culture.