Humanitarian Photographer Steven Wade Adams on Preserving the African Pastoralist’s Way of Life

By Steven Wade Adams

Africa is filled with a vast, rich mix of people and cultures, each with their own traditions and customs. For millenia, pastoralist communities have played an integral role in this highly complex ecosystem, and today are important guardians of an ancient lifestyle shaped by a close bond with their animals and an intimate connection to their environment.

Maintaining the traditional pastoral ways of life is essential for not only the preservation of their unique cultural heritage but also represents an exciting opportunity to participate in addressing urgent environmental issues. I recently had the opportunity to engage directly with pastoralists in northern Kenya and worked to document their community members as they play pivotal roles in shaping and sustaining their own futures.

Over 10 years ago, Global Communities introduced a digital service known as AfriScout to East Africa. Initially, the goal of AfriScout was to enable pastoralist communities challenged by climactic change to build on traditional knowledge and more effectively identify reliable sources of water and food for their livestock and communities. When I met with the Borana and Samburu communities in northern Kenya, I witnessed firsthand no only the difficult challenges that pastoralists face in maintaining the health of their herds and families, but the participatory roles they have assumed in the deployment and evolution of AfriScout itself.

Speaking with village elders and young people alike, I learned about the high value these communities place on AfriScout as a key tool for planning migration of their herds. They explained to me how this innovative technology assists them in managing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns that can significantly affect their livelihoods and daily activities.

Over the course of my visit, my goal was to create photographs that illustrate both our shared humanity as well as the strong commitment these pastoralists have for providing direct feedback on how AfriScout might be enhanced and expanded for the betterment of their communities. It was clear that Global Communities’ commitment to a strong communicative partnership with these beneficiaries is yielding a more effective service with potential for sustainable, widespread solutions.

A SYMBIOTIC BOND: PASTORALISTS AND THEIR LIVESTOCK

For thousands of years, pastoralist communities in Africa have relied on animals such as cattle, goats and sheep for food and income. These animals fit well into the African environment and have grown alongside these communities, becoming essential to their culture and economy. Notably, more than half of their daily calories come from animal milk, showing how important livestock is for their nutrition. The strength of the human-animal bond in pastoralist communities was evident as I witnessed the calm, close relationship children have with their livestock and the value that all members of the community place on them. This became a focus of much of my work when visiting these communities and one I hope to continue focusing on in the future.

Over centuries, African pastoralists hav developed sophisticated herding techniques that help them survive challenging conditions and support their traditional lifestyles. When land is managed carefully to avoid overgrazing, there is benefit not only to humans and livestock but wildlife as well through the promotion of diverse plant growth. Healthy regrowth absorbs carbon and maintains ecological balance by providing food and habitat for a wide range of species. However, this natural balance is critically threatened by climate change and increasingly unstable patterns of drought. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall create challenges for pastoralists who rely on consistent seasonal patterns. Land degradation, water shortages and declining animal health all put immense strain on these communities, forcing them to adapt to survive in a changing world.

CHALLENGES To traditional pastoralism

As the climate becomes more unpredictable, traditional methods used by pastoralists to manage their herds and navigate their land are increasingly less effective. Seasonal patterns that used to guide livestock movement are now unstable, forcing pastoralist communities to travel ever longer distances in search of resources for their animals. This situation strains their physical and emotional health and increases the risk of encounters with predators and animal disease. Additionally, soil degradation from rising temperatures and erratic rainfall is further damaging land productivity and health. Formerly rich grazing areas are turning barren, which further complicates efforts to keep their animals healthy. This worsening scenario contributes to food insecurity and rising poverty in these vulnerable communities, as their main source of food and income is constantly threatened.

In late April, while I was in Kenya with Global Communities, East Africa experienced severe floods, creating difficulties for many communities. The heavy, unexpected rains had both positive and negative effects. They provided life-sustaining water and helped plans grow, but the flooding also led to significant soil erosion, harming the topsoil crucial for farming. Although the wet weather temporarily helped local pastoralists by reducing the need to move their cattle for water and food, this situation is not typical. During prolonged periods without rain, the landscape inevitably transforms into a dry and barren expanse, requiring family groups to migrate over extremely long distances in search of essential water and food supplies.

This arduous journey can be fraught with numerous dangers, including the presence of predators, exposure to disease and the potential for intertribal conflict — factors that significantly increase the risk that the animals may not even survive the harrowing journey. One Borana chief shared with me that, during a typical dry season, they may find themselves traveling more than 35 kilometers (≈ 22 miles) from their homes in pursuit of adequate water and forage for their livestock. This often results in significant levels of mortality in the herds, which is devastating not only for the animals but for the well-being of the people as well. 

How afriscout supports communities

Pastoralists communities face many challenges, but AfriScout is helping them address these issues as “The Shepherd’s Eye in the Sky.” The mobile app uses satellite images, machine learning and community data to give pastoralists vital real-time information about grazing conditions. Armed with accurate and up-to-date information on grazing lands, they can plan migrations more efficiently and reduce the risk of animal suffering and death during relocation. Other more recent features of AfriScout include early warnings about climate-related threats, animal diseases, predators and inter-community conflict, so these can be avoided.

What impressed me most is that AfriScout is more than just technology to these communities. It is a collaborative program that involves pastoralists as important partners. By working closely with these communities, the AfriScout team has developed a platform that meets their specific needs, offering relevant and accessible information and tools and ongoing opportunities to suggest improvements that will make a more lasting impact to their communities. This approach empowers pastoralists to manage their resources effectively and fosters a sense of ownership in the project’s success.

While in Kenya, I interviewed several active users from the Borana and Samburu communities, including experienced “promoters” who encourage others to use AfriScout. They expressed strong support and commitment to the program and their communities.

I have been using the app for the past 4 years and it is the best app [for migration] that I have ever used. The benefits of this application have brought tremendous impact not only to me but to our entire society.

Johnson Lesiokono, Samburu County

The power of nonprofit photography in preSERVATION & ADVOCACY

As the far-reaching impacts of global climate change continue to threaten the delicate balance of pastoralist communities’ traditional way of life, humanitarian and nonprofit photography can play a significant role in documenting, amplifying and advocating for both traditional livelihoods and the participation in and adoption of advanced technologies.

In my humanitarian photography work with Global Communities and AfriScout, it is my goal to facilitate a better appreciation of AfriScout’s impact on local communities across the diverse African continent. By not focusing solely on the challenges but also emphasizing the unique cultural attributes of these communities and showcasing the talent and resilience of individuals who are assuming active leadership roles within them, we can ensure the pastoralists’ perspectives are seen and heard in a balanced and respectful manner. This careful documentation also makes certain their vital role in the ongoing global climate conversation is duly recognized. It is my hope that this can both contribute to the preservation of the African pastoralist lifestyle and help pave the way for a more equitable, just and sustainable future for all.

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