Searching for Symbolic Value of Cattle: Tropical Livestock Units, Market Price, and Cultural Value of Maasai Livestock

Abstract

We examine metabolic, market, and symbolic values of livestock relative to cultural “positioning” by gender, marriage, and household production among Maasai people in Simanjiro, Tanzania to assess local “proximate currencies” relevant for “cultural success.” Data from mixed methods ethnographic research include qualitative interviews since 2012, observation of 85 livestock market sales in 2013 and 2015, and 37 short key informant interviews in 2015. We examine fit between market values, Tropical Livestock Units (TLU, weight-based species exchange ratio), and perceived value from interviews for moran (unmarried men), muruo (married men), and tɔmɔnɔ́k (married women). Hedonic regression using livestock species, sex, maturity, and size accounted for 90% of the local market price of livestock. We compared the market-based exchange ratio between cattle and smallstock (sheep and goats) to TLU and perceived values situating symbolic value of cattle in terms of Maasai household production schema. One TLU model accurately predicted market exchange ratios, while another predicted hypothetical exchanges, suggesting need for improved livestock wealth estimation for pastoralists. Ritual context, subsistence work, and cultural position influenced perceived values: Moran overvalued cattle by 100% of the local market value. Tɔmɔnɔ́k accurately perceived the market exchange ratio despite never directly engaging in livestock market transactions. Muruo perceived exchange ratios intermediate between moran and tɔmɔnɔ́k. We argue that these perceptions of value reflect distinct labor responsibilities of moran, muruo, and tɔmɔnɔ́k in livestock management, differential value of bridewealth, and control of meat and milk.Attention to value of different livestock species in cultural models of production may prove useful for development efforts.

Antimicrobial Use and Veterinary Care among Agro-Pastoralists in Northern Tanzania

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“…Among Maasai, cattle are particularly valued, but small-stock are still important [ 37 ]. Cattle provide milk for daily consumption and meat for occasional ritual meals.…”

Relationships between livestock grazing practices, disease risk, and antimicrobial use among East African Agropastoralists

“…Third, while livestock may be an important economic asset, household herds and their well-being may hold cultural significance beyond their market, income and consumption value (Quinlan et al, 2016).…”

How to Effectively Enhance Sustainable Livelihoods in Smallholder Systems: A Comparative Study from Western Kenya

“…These models also allowed researchers to identify the factors that influence farmer income and to account for potential differences and project effects across the two sites [41]. Based on the relevant literature [1,[42][43][44], twelve indicators were selected as the main predictors of farmers' income in the Nyando river basin: X1 (treatment, i.e., membership in project or control group), X2 (livestock ownership; specifically, the number of livestock owned was converted to tropical livestock units (TLU) per household member [45,46]), X3 (farm mechanization; specifically, if a tractor was used), X4 (average hours worked per week), X5 (gender of the household head), X6 (size of land operated), X7 (farming experience through number of years farmed), X8 (crop species richness), X9 (household size), X10 (importance of farming for household income; specifically. if farming was the main source of income), X11 (farming practices; specifically, if horticulture was practiced), and X12 (legal status of the land operated; specifically.…”

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