Variations in pastoral economy: Three recent case-studies from Gujarat

This paper argues for a wider framework to understand the pastoral economy. The vernacular term 'Maldhari', is introduced to the reader as a framework within which the pastoral communities in Gujarat define themselves. At the backdrop of this emic perception, subsistence practice in three case-studies-is discussed. The migration pattern of pastoralists of different parts of Gujarat then provides an overview of the differences and convergence of strategies of different group of pastoralists. The next section focuses on the role of social and political structure in a particular form of pastoral production. Thus a combination of several factors decides the form of the pastoral economy at a particular time. The paper suggests the consideration of the viability of this emic perception of pastoralism in the academic discourse as well, to give a wider perspective to the study of pastoralism.