Gender, Food and Scarcity Among Samburu Pastoralists in Northern Kenya

摘要0074058本项目将调查物质和象征性方面的国内粮食分配之间的桑布鲁（肯尼亚）牧民在长期短缺的条件下。 季节性和周期性的匮乏影响了桑布鲁人生活的许多方面，包括基于性别和年龄的角色和身份的关键方面;近年来，随着畜牧业经济的衰退和人口的增长，匮乏程度加剧。先前的研究表明，在年长男性占主导地位的游牧社会中，妇女和年轻男性在饥荒中遭受的痛苦不成比例。然而，本研究假设，桑布鲁社会的各个方面，特别是家庭领域以女性为中心的方式以及桑布鲁性别角色和身份的性质，减轻了老年人获得营养资源的差异。方法包括与肯尼亚营养学家合作收集营养数据，以及对社区进行人口/经济调查，结构化访谈和分析家庭食品分配模式。该项目将有助于我们了解畜牧社会中的性别动态，并有助于世界各地针对饥荒救济的发展政策规划。

Abstract 0074058This project will investigate material and symbolic aspects of domestic food distribution among Samburu (Kenya) pastoralists under conditions of chronic scarcity. Seasonal and cyclical scarcity have shaped many aspects of Samburu life, including key aspects of gender and age-based roles and identities; in recent years scarcity has increased with decline of the pastoral economy and population growth. Previous research has suggested that women and junior males suffer disproportionately during famines in pastoral societies dominated by senior males. This research hypothesizes, however, that various aspects of Samburu society, in particular the manner in which the domestic domain is female centered and the nature of Samburu gender roles and identities, mitigate the power of elders to have differential access to nutritional resources. Methods include the collection of nutritional data in collaboration with a Kenyan nutritionist, as well as a demographic/economic survey of the community, structured interviews, and the analysis of household food distribution patterns. This project will contribute to our understanding of gendered dynamics within pastoral societies and to development policy planning directed towards famine relief in various parts of the world.