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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Tsetse Fly in Western Narok, Kenya
Author:Waller, Richard D.ISNI
Year:1990
Periodical:The Journal of African History
Volume:31
Issue:1
Pages:81-101
Language:English
Geographic term:Kenya
Subjects:Maasai
trypanosomiasis
history
Health and Nutrition
History and Exploration
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/182802
Abstract:This article studies the expansion of tsetse fly in one part of Kenya Maasailand between 1900 and 1950. It follows the lines of investigation first suggested by John Ford's work (1971) and examines in detail the interaction between changes in four elements in the Mara ecosystem: climate, vegetation, land use and tsetse. Tsetse was able to expand because its habitat expanded and the spread of bush and fly into the grasslands both caused, and was facilitated by, shifts in patterns of Maasai grazing and occupation in the area. Up to the 1890s, the Mara Plains were regularly grazed by Maasai herds; but the general depopulation of Maasailand in the aftermath of the rinderpest pandemic and civil war left the region vacant until after 1900 and allowed the spread of bush cover which was then colonized by tsetse. The progressive encroachment of tsetse-infested bush was not halted until bush-clearing schemes and closer grazing forced the fly to retreat by destroying its habitat. Notes, ref.
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