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-studi es-is discussed. The migration pattern of pastoralists of different parts o f Gujarat then provides an overview of the differences and convergence of s trategies of different group of pastoralists. The next section focuses on t he role of social and political structure in a particular form of pastoral production. Thus a combination of several factors decides the form of the p astoral economy at a particular time. The paper suggests the consideration of the viability of this emic perception of pastoralism in the academic dis course as well, to give a wider perspective to the study of pastoralism.