Examine the importance of animals in pastoral life.

The importance of animals in pastoral life:

(i) Since man first appeared on the earth, he is depended largely on animals to provide him with many of his basic needs. The domestication of animals, provide a reliable source of the animal products.

(ii) The animals reared by pastoralists are rarely killed for family use alone. But hunting is often carried out by individuals or in groups. However, the people of pastoralist societies always share the meat of animals they kill. Meat sharing provides a real incentive for people to associate with each other.

(iii) Generally, the pastoralists do not slaughter the animals they pet. But occasionally, they slaughter the animals to serve their social and cultural needs.

(iv) The animals like camels, goats, sheep are milked.
(v)In East-American Pastoralist societies, animal’s blood is mixed with milk to make a protein rich milk.