2026/06/24 by David Obiero Oduori, Emily Haddy, Tesfaheywet Zeryehun +2 · 1 voice
Veterinary · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Veterinary Equine Medical Research #Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock #Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
paper · doi:10.1080/08927936.2026.2683217
openalex publication_date 2026/06/24 · openalex created_date 2026/06/25 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/25
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.