Gender, Food and Scarcity Among Samburu Pastoralists in Northern Kenya

该项目将调查长期缺乏条件下桑布鲁(肯尼亚)牧民在国内分配食物的物质和象征方面。季节性和周期性的稀缺性塑造了桑布鲁生活的许多方面，包括基于性别和年龄的角色和身份的关键方面；近年来，随着牧区经济的衰退和人口的增长，稀缺性有所增加。先前的研究表明，在由老年男性主导的田园社会中，女性和初级男性在饥荒中遭受的痛苦不成比例。然而，这项研究假设，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，都会削弱老年人获得不同营养资源的能力。方法包括与一名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物分配模式。这一项目将有助于我们了解牧民社会中的性别动态，并有助于制定世界各地救灾的发展政策规划。

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.