L'espace nomade / Nomadic space

Abstract

Nomadic space is often looked at as a production territory, limited by major ecological constraints such as aridity. This definition is unadequat because it does not take account of the social and spatial organization of society. To improve the concept, it is necessary, therefore, to observe internal social relations (between nomads) and well as external relations (with the sedentary population). A three-scale analysis shows no concrete boundaries between social and ethnic groups but rather relationships based on complementarity. This paradigm could be applied to "modern" societies, characterised by their high level of mobility.