M. (Michele) Nori: Milking drylands. Gender networks, pastoral markets and food security in stateless Somalia

Milk is an indicator of wellbeing on the Somali rangelands: when milk flows it means that rain as well as peace are there. Milking Drylands explore the social and economic embeddedness of camel milk to the livelihoods of Somali pastoralists. While sale of milk was once a cultural taboo, its commercialisation represents nowadays an increasingly relevant strategy to expand and diversify the pastoral economy.

The changes and implications of such institutional novelty are investigated through a focus on social actors and their practices, combined with ample attention to the overall institutional picture – with the intention to contribute to assessing societal change in pastoral regions.