Browsing by Author "Potkanski, Tomasz"

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    Pastoral economy, property rights and traditional mutual assistance mechanisms among the Ngorongoro/Salei Maasai of Tanzania
    (University of Warsaw, 1993) Potkanski, Tomasz
    The field research, on which this report is based, had been initially designed to have the academic character only, though applicable to the problems of pastoral development. In the course of the research the development-oriented dimension has gradually though unexpectedly, expanded and now it forms an important although an independent part.
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    The social dynamics of non-market cattle transactions among the Tanzanian Maasai
    (University of Warsaw, 1991) Potkanski, Tomasz
    The Research mainly focused on the issue of traditional cattle exchange in pastoral society and property rights in cattle. Within this broad spectrum of problems I devoted special attention to the institution of redistribution of stock among the impoverished clansmen in the Maasai society, the core of mutual assistance social network. This is intended to be the main contribution of this report to the existing literature. Local concepts of poverty was also studied. In order to understand the causes and nature of the institution of redistribution of stock, I also collected information on local ecological conditions, pastoral economy and the role of alternative survival strategies such as agriculture or trade. The importance of research on the property rights in cattle and traditional mutual assistance mechanisms lies in their direct utility for development planning. Development projects in the pastoral sector should be focused not only on rising pastoral productivity but also on effective strengthening of these traditional mutual assistance mechanisms which create a safety net for the loosers in the society, directly saving people’s lives and recreating their productive base. In order to build my knowledge on the property relationships among the Maasai I also studied local concepts of property rights to water and pastures as well as practical rules of access to these resources.
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    Sonjo-maasai relationships with respect to property rights to resources
    (University of Warsaw, 1992) Potkanski, Tomasz
    In this paper I will deal with an important aspect of relationships between the Son jo and Maasai in the Ngorongoro District of N.Tanzania. The emphasis will be put on these aspects of their common history which are directly related to property rights to resources (land and water) as understood in both societies. Social and cultural aspects of their relationships can be only briefly outlined as they need further indepth research.