NEGOTIATING WATER ON UNEQUAL TERMS: CATTLE LOANS, DEPENDENCIES AND POWER IN COMMUNAL WATER MANAGEMENT IN NORTHWEST NAMIBIA.

This article shows how the distribution of costs for communal boreholes in the Kunene region of northwest Namibia is largely shaped by patron-client relationships based on cattle loans among pastoralists. Drawing on a case study in the context of state water decentralisation reforms, the paper argue...

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Published in:Nomadic Peoples Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 241 - 261
Main Author: Schwieger, Diego A. Menestrey
Format: Article
Published: White Horse Press 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: NEGOTIATING WATER ON UNEQUAL TERMS: CATTLE LOANS, DEPENDENCIES AND POWER IN COMMUNAL WATER MANAGEMENT IN NORTHWEST NAMIBIA.
      aug:
        au: Schwieger, Diego A. Menestrey
        affil: Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Cologne
      su:
        Namibia
        Patronage
        Water management
        Boreholes
        Bargaining power
      sug:
        subj:
          Patronage
          Namibia
          Water management
          Boreholes
          Bargaining power
      keyword:
        livelihood security
        pastoralism
        social institutions
        livelihood security
        pastoralism
        social institutions
      ab: This article shows how the distribution of costs for communal boreholes in the Kunene region of northwest Namibia is largely shaped by patron-client relationships based on cattle loans among pastoralists. Drawing on a case study in the context of state water decentralisation reforms, the paper argues that, while cattle loans provide livelihood security for poor Himba herders, they also limit their bargaining power with regards to negotiating local contribution rules for the communal water point. Poorer heads of household find it difficult to negotiate on equal terms with their wealthy counterparts because they depend on their cattle transfers to make a living. As a result, contribution rules disadvantaging the poor are put into practice, leading to tensions between herders and putting pressure on social relations of support.
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    language: English
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