What is Transhumance

The world is full of different cultures and traditions. Man had been known to be nomadic and then settled down for the better. Ancient men mass migrated in search of better pastures. After learning the art of agriculture, man began to settle down in one place. Today, there are certain regions where people tend to carry out seasonal migrations. This is called transhumance and it is economically as well as environmentally favorable.

Transhumance in the Alps

According to the transhumance definition it is, 'the seasonal migration of humans along with their sheep, goats and other livestock to higher or lower pastures in the summer and winter season'. These people are basically herders who live in the valley. Transhumance pastoralism is a traditional practice in the Alps. This tradition is practiced even today in Austria, Bavaria, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Apart from these regions, it is also practiced in Scandinavia, Scotland, Caucasus, Chad, Morocco, France, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Iran, Turkey, Republic of Macedonia, Lesotho, etc. So, what is transhumance? It is a Latin term where 'trans' means across and 'humus' means ground. The herders tend to travel to higher pastures in summer and come down to the lower valleys in winter.

Importance of Transhumance Today

Transhumance is losing its importance today. People do not find it feasible to move along the valley. Few farmers undertake short distance pendulous movements with their herds. They move up the mountains to the valleys in winters and come back during summer. However, transhumance helped avoid over grazing, occurring in the low lands. Also, it helped keep the mountain pastures open. Overgrazing leads to extinction of many species of plants, birds and mammals. These species are dependent on the open habitats and over grazing makes them lose their food. Species like the Imperial Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, European Sousilk and Saker Falcon are on the endangered species, as well as vulnerable species list. Therefore, there are many projects undertaken by various governments, to help promote this pastoral tradition.

Patterns of Transhumance Pastoralism

Transhumance is seen in every continent and there are different patterns according to the region. Let us look at them.

The Alps
Cattle rearing formed the traditional economy of Alps. Even today, traditional transhumance is practiced in many regions of the Alps as mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Today, local farmers' families tend to move to higher places. However, they may tend to employ herdsmen to carry out the seasonal migration.

England
Transhumance in England is kind of opposite than what is seen in the Alps. The cattle in England grazed on dry hills in winter and then after the flood water receded in summer, they were taken to graze in the low lying flood meadows.

Scandinavia
Transhumance is still practiced in Scandinavia. The forest pasture where cattle are taken to graze is called the seter or bod I bua. The livestock was moved to the mountain farms in summer. Then, the women tended to the livestock in summer collecting milk and making cheese. The livestock returned to the home farm in autumn.

Lestho
Like the Alps, the traditional economy of Basotho is based on cattle rearing. Seasonal migration of the livestock is carried out by herdsmen. These herdsmen are employed by farmers who own large herds.

Australia
The Australian Alps have an old tradition of Transhumant grazing. The alpine planes are used for grazing in the summer as the lower pastures were poor. There is a distinct way of life related to the Transhumant grazing. This way of life has become a major part of history and culture in Australia.

This was a little bit about what is transhumance pastoralism. The seasonal migration of humans and their livestock is dwindling with the changing times. However, for some it is still a part of tradition as well as lifestyle. Economies still depend on this kind of nomadic pastoralism, which has environmental implications.