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Book chapter Book chapter Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Small stock management and the goat naming system of the pastoral Gabra
Author:Imai, I.ISNI
Book title:A comparative study of ecological anthropology in tropical Africa
Year:1982
Pages:43-62
Language:English
Geographic terms:Ethiopia
Kenya
Subjects:Gabbra
goats
Abstract:The present paper describes and analyses the pastoral Gabra (northern Kenya, Ethiopia) herding technique for the small stock, sheep and goats, which chiefly support their subsistence diet. Although the sheep and goats utilise different plants for their main food supply, the Gabra herd them in one flock. This paper demonstrates that the Gabra's mixed-flock herding technique is effective and well adapted to their territory's natural environment. This paper also describes the Gabra goat-naming system. The Gabra classify the goats by matrilineal groups and call each goat by its matrilineal group's name. In addition to its group name, each female goat is given an individual descriptive name. This unique naming system facilitates the exchange of information about the goats and the smooth management of milking. Fig., photogr., ref., tab.
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