The End of Nomadism?: Society, State and the Environment in Inner Asia

by Caroline Humphrey

The vast steppe region of Inner Asia is historically dominated by Mongol culture, Buddhist-shamanist religion and an economy based on mobile pastoralism. Now, as its constituent states - China, Russia and Mongolia - adapt to market conditions, this long-standing cultural economic zone is seen to be facing more radical change than at any previous time in its past.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 11, 1999

Reviews

[Yana Bezirganova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful comparative study of the contemporary mobile pastoralism in Inner Asia. Authors have arrived to practical solutions of the problems that herd-owners have been facing since the beginning of privatisation and during the collectivist period, stressing the importance of local knowledge and experience in implementing such solutions. The main solution is to increase mobility rather than decrease it, which, of course, comes with a lot of socio-political implications for the regions. For example, large scale institutions that can ensure the rotation of herds on pastures and provide herders with social and technological support are considered by authors to be of crucial importance. However, introduction of such institutions can be seen by some as coming back to the years of collectivisation. Authors stress that they are not suggesting that, and that there are other ways in which such large institutions can be introduced or developed. Overall, this book is of crucial importance to people interested in economic development of Inner Mongolian regions, however might disappoint readers who are looking for a romanticised depiction of ‘nomads’ roaming the steppes.

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study on the life of contemporary herders in Inner Asia. Rather than discussing some sort of timeless 'nomad,' Humphrey, Sneath, and the other contributors look at region by region basis the herding strategies and methods used, the impact on the environment, and the roles of the respective governments. This study makes an excellent argument for the environmentally sustainable mobile pastoralism rather than the static herding that the Russian and Chinese governments have forced upon their subjects. Anyone studying or interested in the herders, environment or culture of Mongolia (independent and Inner), Siberia (particularly Buriatia and Tuva), Xinjiang or Tibet should read this book.