Paper short abstract:

This paper talk about mobility with regards to its classifications in the local dialect of the study area, the reasons and period of their movement. Pastoralists were very familiar with the concept of mobility; therefore, the classifications were provided by the pastoralists themselves.

Paper long abstract:

Pastoralists are individuals who hinge on raising and herding cattle for their livelihoods. As such, their mobility is closely tied to the movement of their animals in search of pasture and water. This paper examine various classifications of pastoralists mobility, their period of movement and the reasons behind each movement. Through the focus group discussions, it was revealed that pastoralist mobility can be categorized into three (3). These include Nigi-Daabihi (cattle traders), Dang-Kaabu (family Visit), and Modoo/Nzo Kokpagu (Resource-Based) forms of migration. The purpose of Nigi-Daabihi is not only to buy and sell cattle but also to establish relationships with their colleagues’ pastoralists who reside in Ghana. Most mobiles found within these categories do not stay in the country for long. Pastoralists who form part of the Dang-Kaabu category of mobility are pastoralists who have family members in Ghana. They paid visits to their family members on a regular basis. Those who form part of Modoo/Nzo Kokpagu category send the animals to a places where they can get access to fodder and water for the animals. This category occurs on seasonal basis and does not exceed six (6) months. Findings further reveal that pastoralists whose movement is based on cattle trading (Nigi-Daabihi) and family visit (Dang-Kaabu) move throughout the calendar year. But those whose movements are based on the availability of resources, only move within a specific period of the year. These findings offer a deep understanding of the dynamics of the pastoralist movement, which are essential for our understanding