In October 2023, Joana and Troy participated in the 19th IUAES-WAU World Anthropology Congress in Delhi, India. They presented in the Panel Change and continuity of Inner Asian pastoral societies affected by external factors, convened by Professor Takahiro Ozaki (Kagoshima University) and Dr. Ariell Ahearn (University of Oxford; Commission for Nomadic Peoples).
Troy’s talk, entitled Women herders’ changing role in Gobi pastoralism, called our attention to Mongolian herder women’s important, yet frequently unrecognized, contributions to herding processes, household decision-making and community organisation. It also touched upon women’s daily life’s religious and ritual dimensions, in their connection with nature, and their deep knowledge of environmental dynamics.
Joana’s presentation (co-authored with MYNA’s Angela Kronenburg García, Stanley ole Neboo, and Lenaai and Matinkoi ole Mowuo), entitled War or Well being? Maasai meat camps as a response to COVID-19 examined how meat camps (ilpuli), which were an early response to the pandemic lockdown measures in southern Kenyan Maasai communities, promoted well being across its multiple dimensions, including the spiritual dimension. Ilpuli are gatherings of men in secluded bush areas where they consume large quantities of meat and herbal medicines, and socialize and pray. Pandemic ilpuli have accommodated the beliefs and practices of their Pentecostal Cristian participants, but have also created tension within local communities by reviving traditional post-ilpuli celebrations and performances that Pentecostal churches object to and try to eradicate.
