Non-Profit Photography and Preserving the African Pastoralist’s Way of Life
Borana family at their temporary camp for grazing their goats and sheep. Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
The United Nations estimates there are 268 million pastoralists living across the vast African continent. These individuals grapple to maintain their traditional way of life in the face of a multitude of environmental and sociopolitical challenges which have only been exacerbated as a result of accelerating climate change. More extreme cycles of rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall is resulting in scarcity of water and grazing land for livestock. This has forced many pastoral communities to travel ever-longer distances in search of suitable resources, which can lead to conflict over dwindling resources with other communities and wildlife. Additionally, the changing climate has also significantly impacted the health and productivity of livestock, further exacerbating food insecurity and poverty among pastoralist communities. Sustainable adaptation strategies and support are crucial to help pastoral communities mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure their livelihoods. In my blog post in March, I described the origin and basic technology and principles of the Afriscout program prior to my recent trip to Kenya. During this assignment, I had the opportunity to visit both the Borana and Samburu communities in northern Kenya where I was able to see firsthand the impact and challenges facing these communities and appreciate how they are active participants in managing climatic uncertainties using a unique technological approach known as Afriscout sponsored by Global Communities.
In this post, I further discuss some of the challenges faced by these communities and show through my work as a non-profit photographer the active role the pastoralists themselves are playing to promote and enhance a program that promises not only a significant opportunity to address acute climate challenges, but may also represent a long-term opportunity to impact global climatic stabilization.
Non-Profit Photography and the African pastoralist way of life
This image clearly illustrates the close and intimate relationship that the Borana people have with their livestock. Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
A Samburu elder provides wisdom and guidance for his community. Samburu County, Kenya 2024
Africa is home to an amazingly rich tapestry of diverse cultures, each with their own unique traditions and ways of life. Among these, the many pastoralist communities that exist in a broad swath of the African continent stand out as guardians of a lifestyle that has endured for millennia, shaped by their intimate connection with the land and the animals that sustain them. In a world that is rapidly modernizing, the preservation of these traditional pastoralist ways is not only a matter of cultural heritage, but also a crucial step in addressing the pressing environmental challenges humanity faces today.
Various non-profit organizations have recognized the importance of documenting, supporting and preserving the pastoralist lifestyle, and have advanced a range of innovations to achieve this goal. One such innovation is Afriscout that was introduced to Africa by the non-profit organization PCI/Global Communities more than a decade ago.
The important daily chore of milking the livestock begins at an early age. Samburu County, Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
Non-profit photography is an opportunity to work with non-profits around the world to help raise awareness and allow others to see for themselves the challenges and triumphs of those in need around the world. In this case, non-profit photography provides a forum to share community stories to support preservation of the African pastoralist lifestyle. It gives voice to communities, advocates for their place in a changing world, and preserves their culture and wisdom for future generations. It also adds their unique perspectives to global conversations on sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Livestock have co-evolved with humans in Africa for millennia
Cattle have co-evolved with humans in Africa for 10,000 years. Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
For thousands of years, the lives of pastoralists in Africa have been inextricably linked to the animals they depend on for their sustenance and livelihood. Cattle, goats, sheep, and camels have co-evolved alongside these communities, adapting to the unique challenges of the African landscape and becoming an integral part of the pastoralist way of life. More than half of the calories consumed by these peoples are provided by animal milk.
Milk provides a majority of all caloric intake for many pastoralist communities, including the Samburu. Samburu County, Kenya.. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024..
This symbiotic relationship between humans and livestock is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of both. Pastoralists have developed sophisticated herding techniques and breeding practices that have allowed them to thrive in some of the harshest environments on the planet, while the animals they tend have evolved to make the most of the limited resources available. From the arid savannas of the Sahel to the lush highlands of East Africa, these pastoralist-livestock systems have been the foundation of a way of life that has endured for millennia.
Ensuring that pasture land is neither overgrazed or under-grazed can provide profound benefit not only humans and their livestock, but to wildlife as well. Samburu County, Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
It is worth noting that livestock can play a crucial role in benefiting wildlife as well. Proper land management techniques that prevent overgrazing or undergrazing allow pastures to support a diverse range of plants, ultimately aiding in carbon sequestration. This encourages the growth of both perennial and annual plants, offering a vital food source and habitat for various species.
However, in recent decades, this delicate balance has been threatened by a variety of factors, chief among them the impacts of global climate change. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the pastoralist communities that have long relied on the predictable cycles of the seasons are finding themselves facing new challenges to their way of life. The degradation of grazing lands, the scarcity of water, and the declining health of their livestock are all putting immense strain on these communities, forcing them to adapt and innovate in order to survive and consequentially negative impact to the entire ecosystem.
Global Climate Change is degrading the soil in Africa and threatening the pastoralist way of life
The impact of global climate change on the African continent is undeniable, and the pastoralist communities who have long been the stewards of the land are bearing the brunt of these changes. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and the degradation of soil quality are all contributing to a crisis that is threatening the very foundation of the pastoralist way of life.
A Borana family at a temporary camp in northern Kenya relies on Afriscout to select grazing lands. Kenya. . Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
As the climate becomes increasingly unpredictable, the pastoralists' traditional strategies for managing their herds and navigating the landscape are being put to the test. The once-reliable cycles of the seasons, which have guided the movement and grazing patterns of their livestock for generations, are now in flux, forcing these communities to travel ever-longer distances in search of suitable resources. This not only puts a strain on their physical and emotional well-being, but it also increases the risk of contact with predators, animal disease and potential conflict with other communities vying for the same dwindling resources.
Unseasonally heavy rain and flooding in May 2024 resulted in significant erosion and loss of life across Kenya.. Samburu County, Kenya.. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
Moreover, the degradation of the soil, a direct consequence of rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, is having a devastating impact on the productivity of the land. The once-lush grazing areas that sustained the pastoralists' herds are now barren and inhospitable, making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain the health and well-being of their animals. This, in turn, exacerbates the problem of food insecurity and poverty within these communities, as their primary source of sustenance and income is threatened.
While I was in Kenya in late May, east Africa was stricken by debilitating floods. The abundant water was a mixed blessing. While the unseasonal and heavy rains provided ready sources of life-sustaining water and ushered in rapid growth of plants, such a deluge on top of desiccated soil also accelerates soil erosion and results in loss of critical topsoil. Still, this wet weather did provide some temporary relief to the pastoralists and alleviated the immediate need to move cattle in search of water and forage. However, this is not typical and provides only temporary relief. During dry periods without rain, the landscape becomes dry and barren forcing family groups to move extremely long distances in search of water and food. The journey can be fraught with predators, exposure to disease, and intertribal conflict further exacerbating the risk that the animals may not even survive the journey. One Borana chief explained to me that during a typical season they may travel more than 35 km away from home in search of adequate water and forage.
Humanitarian photography to capture the role of the pastoralist in the development, advancement and deployment of Afriscout
This young Samburu warrior is an active user and advocate for Afriscout. Samburu County, Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024..
Borana tribemen collaborate with Afriscout staff to provide feedback and optimize deployment of Afriscout. Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
In the face of these daunting challenges, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of a technological solution known as Afriscout, developed by the non-profit organization Global Communities. Afriscout is an innovative platform that combines satellite imagery, machine-based learning and community-based data collection to provide pastoralists with real-time information on the availability and quality of grazing resources across vast landscapes.
This technology represents a critical lifeline for pastoralist communities, as it allows them to make more informed decisions regarding the movement and management of their herds. By accessing up-to-date information as to the location and condition of grazing lands, pastoralists can plan their migrations more effectively, reducing the risk of being unable to make it to alternate locations with animals that do not survive. Afriscout provides early warning systems for other climate-related threats including animal disease and location of predators, enabling these communities to better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these events.
Demonstrating how Afriscout shows most likely locations for water and forage. Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
But Afriscout is much more than just a technological solution. At its heart, Afriscout is a collaborative effort that actively engages the pastoralists themselves as key stakeholders and partners. By working closely with these communities, the Afriscout team has been able to advance a platform that is tailored to their specific needs and priorities, ensuring that the information and tools provided are relevant, accessible and presented in a manner most useful to the communities. This approach not only empowers pastoralists to take a more active role in managing their own resources, but also fosters a sense of ownership and investment in the long-term success of the project.
While in Kenya, I had the opportunity to interview a number of active users in both the Borana and Samburu communities including several that have been identified as “promotors”. These promotors are experienced users that receive special incentives to educate and spread the word about the benefits of Afriscout. They spoke of Afriscout with clear passion and commitment to the program and their communities. I plan to share more detail of their stories in a subsequent post.
Conclusion: The power of non-profit photography in preserving the African pastoralist lifestyle
Borana youth herding cattle in northern Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
This Samburu warrior is an active user of Afriscout, actively planning movement of animals for his community. Samburu County, Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.
As the impacts of global climate change continue to threaten the delicate balance of these communities' way of life, the role of non-profit photography in documenting, amplifying, and advocating for both traditional livelihoods and the participation in and adoption of advanced technologies may play a vital role in advancing the spread and impact of Afriscout across the African continent.
Use a focus of capturing images that tell not only the stories of the challenges but also the triumphs of these communities, we can ensure that the voice of the pastoralists is heard in a balanced manner and their vital central role in the global climate conversation is recognized. This may not only support the preservation of the African pastoralist lifestyle, but also pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future. In my next post I will share some of the individual stories shared by several of the Afriscout staff as well as the pastoralists themselves during this visit to Northern Kenya and their personal relationships with the program.
Samburu woman herding sheep an goats in Samburu County, Kenya. Photograph by Steven Wade Adams ©2024.