Hazards of Modernity on the Talensis Indigenous Livestock Rearing (Guul Pohum)

Abstract

Livestock rearing (Guul) is a major economic activity of indigenes in the Talensis Kingdom. Civilisation and the injection of Western educational systems have redirected the Economic and Developmental drives of the Indigenous Taleng from many traditional economic activities. Subsistent livestock rearing which augments whatever income source one may be relying upon, has endured the test of modernity. However, catering for these animals has been very challenging in recent times because of the need to educate all children. The study assessed the perceptions of respondents on the influence of modernity as a hazard on the livestock economy of indigenes.  A sample of 400 respondents, above the age of 16 years, were drawn from twenty communities in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. Interviews, observations and questionnaires were the main primary data collection instruments. The key findings of the study were that inadequate herding, stealing of animals on free range as well as those with Fulani herds men are major perils with a very high severity on indigenous livestock rearing. Western education system and rural urban migration were identified as the root causes of inadequate herding because the potential herders have to sacrifice herding for western school system and greener pastures in the cities. The study recommends cooperative ranching system (CRS) as a strategic push to manage the Guul Pohum.

Keywords: Indigenous livestock, risk taxonomy, subsistent livestock rearing, Indigenous risk management strategies

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/16-1-09

Publication date: February 28^th 2025