The OvaHimba [Himba] have held onto their traditional pastoralist lifestyle to this day despite many droughts, wars, and land grab attempts. They face new challenges as the government seeks to build dams on the Kunene River. Photo Credit: Hans Hillewaert
Author: Kevin Biglin
Indigenous Land Rights Efforts in Namibia
Today, indigenous groups in Namibia struggle for recognition and formal collective land rights of their respective ancestral territories. They are facing government land reform efforts in the name of development and conservation. Photo credit: Maryknoll
Kel Tamasheq (Tuareg) vs. Mining in Niger
Kel Tamasheq find their nomadic pastoralist livelihoods increasingly under threat from a combination of uranium mining, government promotion of sedentarism and climate change. Photo Credit: NewIndianExpress
The Landless Twa of Rwanda
33,000 Twa (Batwa) account for less than one percent of the Rwandan population and are the most vulnerable population living there. Twa are landless and many struggle to make a living in modern society. The government only recognizes Twa as “historically marginalized.” Photo Credit: Nick Ashdown
Rufiji
Rufiji is the southernmost district of Pwani Region. Land conflicts in this district have mainly taken place around the villages of Ikwiriri and Utete. The pastoralist population dramatically increased in the area after herders were evicted from Mbarali District in Mbeya Region in 2006-07. (Photo credit: ACAI Initiative)
Vilima Vitatu Village
The Tanzanian Central Government has taken 12,830 hectares of land in Vilima Vitatu village and allocate it to the WMA with consent.
Basongora & Bakonjo vs. Queen Elizabeth National Park
Basongora are a pastoralist community living in the western lowlands in Uganda and were evicted from their land in 1952 to allow for the creation of Queen Elizabeth National Park. They continue to face human rights violations today. Photo Credit: Road Trip Uganda
Ik vs. Kidepo Valley National Park
Due to pressures of conservation, ecotourism, and other neighboring pastoralist communities, the Ik’s lifestyle and culture are being threatened. (Photo: Realm Africa)
Komo vs. Resettlement
Koma are agro-pastoralists who raise cattle and goats. Due to government resettlement policies, they are increasingly unable to maintain traditional livelihoods. Photo Credit: Dartmouth
Karayu vs. Land Grabbing in Oromia
Karayu traditionally live in the Fantalle district but many were evicted in 2006 for the creation of the Awash National Park and development projects such as the Metahara Sugar Factory and Upper Awash Agro-industry Enterprise. Karayu are also forbidden access to their only water source, the Awash River. Photo Credit: Flickr