Changes on the traditional livelihood strategies and the outcomes to pastoral maasai community

This study attempted to investigate the changes of traditional livelihood strategies and their outcomes of the pastoral Maasai. The study was conducted in Monduli District. A cross-sectional design was adopted where by structured questionnaire was administered to collect primary data. A representative sample of 140 was drawn and interviewed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was employed for data analysis. From the findings it was observed that pastoralist Maasai had a traditional knowledge and experience which they used to withstand a number of shocks and stresses. Through traditional strategies they managed the ecology which supported their livelihoods on sustainable basis. The traditional livelihood strategies have changed over time due to the diminishing water resources, pastoral land, prevalence of animal diseases and population pressure. These factors have pushed the pastoralist Maasai towards new alternative strategies. It is recommended that development activists should intervene for other tribal people particularly the Barbaig and Hadzabe. Their livelihood patterns need to be changed because of the changing environment.