Three Approaches to Study Land Tenure in Pastoral Societies in Post-Socialist States: A Proposal for a Synthesis

Abstract

1. Introduction: The Motive This article reviews theoretical approaches in anthropology used in the study of land tenure among pastoral societies in post-socialist states. The inspiration and motive to write this article originates from my personal encounters. As part of my doctoral research 1 , I have conducted an extended ethnographic fieldwork among the pastoral Afar people in northeastern Ethiopia. I came face-to-face with the question what conceptual approach to use to study changing forms of ownershipof land. My initial conceptual backpack was property, but after a careful review of the local realities, or what Gudeman calls 'local models' (Gudeman, 2016), I soon realized loopholes. This led to appraisal of three theoretical concepts regarding their relevance in the study of pastoral societies in post-socialist states. The three competing concepts are property (