Knowledge and Practices of Climate Change Adaptation Among the Maasai Community of Ngerengere Division, Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Abstract

The objective of this article is to explore the knowledge and practices of adapting to climate change among the Maasai community in Ngerengere Division, Morogoro Region, in Tanzania. The research used an embedded case study design. The study sample was drawn from the Maasai community, as well as agricultural and livestock extension officers of Ngerengere Division, media experts and veteran journalists on environment and climate change. The findings show that, to the Maasai rural community of Ngerengere, climate change adaptation implies mainly transhumance and agro-pastoralism due to climatic changes; and practices related to climate change adaptation include agro-pastoralism and destocking activities. The paper recommends education, proper communication and administrative linkages as appropriate initiatives to be employed for proper climate change adaptation in the study area. These measures will improve the prevailing social, economic, environmental and political contexts related with the Maasai’s indigenous and traditional pastoral knowledge and systems for better climate change adaptation.