Livelihoods of the ‘New Livestock Breeders’ in the Eastern Pamirs of Tajikistan

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the adaption of livelihood strategies based on livestock breeding in the Eastern Pamirs to the new politico-economic conditions in post-Soviet Tajikistan. Furthermore, its effects on the changing socio-economic structures are analysed. Peculiarities like the introduction of a household responsibility system and the disorder during the years of the Tajik civil war eased private livestock appropriation and delayed all further steps to reorganise the societal set-up. By recording and interpreting household biographies, it could be revealed how individuals perceived opportunities and chances during the transitional period and how their economic decisions altered their livelihoods. Given the growing gap of socio-economic disparities within the community, the significance of the livestock-based economy could be shown in terms of the division of labour, pasture user rights, herd management, entrepreneurial and trade opportunities.