The Poor Are not Us

"The contributors in The Poor are Not Us likewise succeed in their task of presenting a more holistic view of pastoral societies. They go beyond the widely held stereotypes that herders are conservative egalitarians and challenge the notion that pastoralism is a doomed means of subsistence. The scholarly articles demonstrate that one cannot understand wealth simply in economic terms, but must also take into account social and cultural variables. Aid agencies would do well to consider this holistic approach to pastoral poverty before embarking on potentially misguided development projects in a part of Africa that is in crisis today." "…Anderson and Broch–Due have assembled an insightful collection on the causes of poverty among pastoralists, its history and extent in East Africa, the cultural meanings and conceptualizations of poverty, and the complex relationships among poverty, livelihood, and ethnic identity. It is essential reading for students of East African pastoralist societies." (African Affairs) "This book's great merit is to have managed to make the study of what are minority communities in eastern Africa interesting and relevant to those who are concerned with the ways in which the continent has tackled the thorny question of 'development'" (International Affairs)