Positive changes:
- Increased access to markets: Colonial rule often led to the development of new markets for pastoralist goods, such as meat, milk, and hides. This allowed pastoralists to earn more money and improve their standard of living.
- Improved infrastructure: Colonial governments often invested in infrastructure projects that benefited pastoralists, such as roads, bridges, and water wells. These improvements made it easier for pastoralists to transport their goods to market and to access essential services.
- Access to education and healthcare: Colonial governments also often provided access to education and healthcare services for pastoralists. These services helped to improve the health and well-being of pastoralist communities.
Negative changes:
- Loss of land: Colonial powers often took land away from pastoralists for their own use or to give to settlers. This loss of land led to a decrease in the amount of grazing land available for pastoralists, which made it more difficult for them to support their herds.
- Overstocking: As a result of the loss of land, many pastoralists were forced to increase the size of their herds in order to maintain their income. This led to overstocking, which damaged the environment and made it more difficult for pastoralists to find food for their animals.
- Sedentarization: Colonial governments often forced pastoralists to settle in one place, which disrupted their traditional way of life. This sedentarization made it more difficult for pastoralists to access grazing land and water, and it also led to a loss of cultural identity.