Pastoralism is a livestock-based economic and cultural system practised across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Mongolia and parts of Europe. It involves the management of cattle, goats, sheep, camels and other livestock, often with seasonal movement to make use of available water and grazing. In Africa, pastoralism is especially important across South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Chad and the Sahel region. Major pastoral peoples include the Dinka, Nuer, Maasai, Samburu, Rendille, Somali, Afar, Tuareg, Fulani, Borana and Oromo pastoralists. The Dinka and Nuer of South Sudan are among the world’s most recognised Nilotic pastoralist societies. Cattle are central to their culture, providing raw milk, meat, blood, wealth, marriage value and social status. The Dinka are often described as one of the tallest ethnic groups in the world, with height influenced by Nilotic ancestry, genetics, childhood nutrition, health and environment. Their traditional animal-based diet provided protein, fats, calcium, iron and B vitamins important for growth. The Maasai and Samburu of Kenya and Tanzania are famous Nilotic pastoralists with deep cattle traditions and historical Cushitic influence through centuries of interaction with neighbouring Cushitic-speaking peoples. Their societies are built around cattle, goats and sheep, with livestock providing raw milk, meat, blood, wealth and cultural identity. The Rendille of northern Kenya are a Cushitic-speaking pastoralist people, traditionally known for camel herding, using camels for milk, transport and survival in arid environments. Many traditional pastoral diets resemble what is now called a primal diet or animal-based diet, focusing on meat, raw milk and nutrient-dense animal foods. Some pastoral communities historically consumed raw fresh organ meats, including liver and other organs, valued for nutrients such as vitamin A, iron, zinc and B vitamins. Milk provides protein and minerals and can stimulate IGF-1, which plays a role in growth and bone development. Pastoral societies have also historically experienced conflict because livestock represent wealth and survival. Competition over cattle, water, grazing land and territory could lead to cattle raiding, warrior traditions and inter-community warfare. The Dinka, Nuer, Maasai, Samburu and Rendille all have histories of pastoral conflict, alongside systems of alliances, customary law and reconciliation. Today, modern pastoralism combines traditional herding with education, trade, employment and business, while adapting to drought, climate change, land pressure and livestock disease. #pastoral #primal #eastafrica #tribe #edit - @lsudd0