A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE.
MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2017
Understanding the way the Maasai pastoralists' Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)
affects management of natural resources in dry lands is of practical importance. Failure to
recognise its contribution in resources management and use can result into mismatch of
varied land uses leading to loss of biodiversity and deterioration of livelihood conditions.
Conventional range management has often neglected pastoralists’ participation, largely
due to perception of resource managers that the knowledge lacks objectivity.
Management of rangelands is expert - based and the part played by traditional knowledge
is not given proper attention. The study was done in semi-arid area, Kiteto district
(Maasai Steppe), characterised by high livestock density, low human density and short
unpredictable rainfall. Data were collected using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA),
pilot-tested questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and key informants interviews.
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data, PRA
data were analysed by the help of communities and content analysis was used to analyze
qualitative data. Findings showed that socio-economic factors; sex, age, education level,
income from livestock, household size and time spent in keeping livestock influenced the
perceived usefulness of TEK. TEK practices were herd splitting, grazing patterns,
livestock mobility, co-existence of wildlife and livestock, water sources management and
construction of settlement played role in management. TEK thus, enables pastoralists to
control and manage rangeland resources by regulating access by users and sanctioning
abusers. Using medicinal plants to treat some diseases and ailments instead of
conventional medication could be due to high costs or availability of drugs and proximity
to health centers. Government and actors should work on policies that undermine pastoral
ways of life and range ecologists should design a model that integrates TEK and
scientific/expert based knowledge to be used in dry land ecosystems management.