Burdens, Bonds, and Biases
The Sociocultural Role of Donkeys in Pastoralist Communities
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21107192 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Obiero Oduori (Maasai Mara University), Emily Haddy (0000-0001-6696-0088, University of Portsmouth), Tesfaheywet Zeryehun (0000-0002-1327-9843, Haramaya University), Julia Brown (0000-0002-2719-7064, University of Portsmouth), Leanne Proops (0000-0002-8661-1229, University of Portsmouth, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-20 |
| Publication date | 2026-06-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Anthrozoös (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0892-7936 • E-ISSN: 1753-0377 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/08927936.2026.2683217 |
| OpenAlex | W7165783881 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 23 |
Donkeys are integral to the lives of over a quarter of a billion people living in poverty, yet their socio-cultural roles remain poorly understood. This study explored the diverse roles that donkeys play in drought-prone pastoralist communities in Kenya and Ethiopia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving 41 key informant interviews with stakeholders and 18 gender-segregated participatory workshops with donkey owners. Four key themes were identified: (1) donkeys are a cornerstone of pastoralist culture, enabling nomadic mobility, strengthening social bonds, and preserving cultural identity and traditions; (2) their vital role is paradoxically undermined by cultural devaluation, leading to poor welfare and glaring policy gaps; (3) donkeys are inextricably linked to women, who are often the primary users and bear the greatest burden when donkeys are lost; and (4) the illegal donkey skin trade heightens these vulnerabilities, impacting women and threatening the stability of donkey-dependent communities. We conclude that human–donkey interdependence is an overlooked but key component of pastoralist culture in arid and semi-arid lands. Effective climate adaptation and drought resilience strategies must integrate community perspectives and address policy gaps undermining donkey welfare
Citizen journalism · Donkey · Identity (music) · Maasai · Participatory action research · Pastoralism · Psychological resilience · Sociocultural evolution · Thematic analysis · Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology · Veterinary Equine Medical Research
Gendered vulnerabilities to climate change
Social and economic impacts of the donkey skin trade on donkey-dependent women and communities in Kenya
The Donkey Skin Trade
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Relation to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia
Working equids supporting women’s disaster risk management
Being with Donkeys
Using thematic analysis in psychology
The Gendered Nature of Natural Disasters
The future for pastoralists is dark unless something is done
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |