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

  • Robert J. Quinlan Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
  • Isaya Rumas
  • Godfrey Naiskye
  • Marsha Quinlan Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
  • Jonathan Yoder School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.7.1.2016.621
Keywords: Ethnozoology, East Africa, Smallholder household wealth, Pastoralism, Gender and marriage, Ethnographic science

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.

Author Biographies

Robert J. Quinlan, Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Rob Quinlan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and School of Global Animal Health at Washington State University.
Isaya Rumas
Isaya Rumas is a researcher and head of the Maasai Foundation in Lorboisoit, Simanjiro, Republic of Tanzania.
Godfrey Naiskye
Godfrey Naiskye is a researcher and livestock extension officer in Terrat, Simanjiro, Republic of Tanzania.
Marsha Quinlan, Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Marsha Quinlan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and School of Global Animal Health at Washington State University.
Jonathan Yoder, School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
Jonathan Yoder is a professor in the School of Economic Sciences and School for Global Animal Health at Washington State University.

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Ethnobiology Letters Cover, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2016
Published
2016-10-04
How to Cite
Quinlan, R. J., Rumas, I., Naiskye, G., Quinlan, M., & Yoder, J. (2016). Searching for Symbolic Value of Cattle: Tropical Livestock Units, Market Price, and Cultural Value of Maasai Livestock. Ethnobiology Letters, 7(1), 76–86. https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.7.1.2016.621
Issue
Vol 7 No 1 (2016)
Section
Research Communications

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