Southwest Kenya, 2016. I conducted interviews and surveys in an agro-pastoral Maasai community called Maji Moto (Swahili for Hot Water). We discussed how their use of water and land changed as a result of a recently constructed water reservoir.

Maasai pastoralists in this community used to cope with droughts by using mobile strategies, chasing the erratic rainfall with their cattle. With the new water reservoir however, such strategies are no longer employed when a drought hits the area. Reliance on the reservoir does not only change how they respond to droughts, but also how droughts are perceived.

What are possible perceptions of, and ways of dealing with, drought in Maji Moto?

How do you perceive a drought?

Will you move again when a drought hits?

Having settled a few years ago, he takes care of a nearby village's cattle in exchange for the right to stay with some cattle of his own, and use the new water reservoirs

Imagining the future: dealing with droughts in African Drylands

A future where pastoral systems are maintained and mobility is used to cope with droughts?

A future of expansion of cropfarming, relying on water of the reservoir during droughts?

A future where land is privatised and fenced, and private water reservoirs are dug to cope with droughts?

By Ruben Weesie

Southwest Kenya

A future where large cattle numbers are concentrated near the water reservoirs?

A future of contested lands, where farmers and pastoralists compete over water during droughts?

A future where dry season farms and gardens are established, using the reservoir's water for irrigation?

What future do you imagine to be (un)likely?

What future do you fear?

What future do you desire?

Or will you stay?

How would you deal with a drought?

Northern Ghana, 2019. I interviewed and held focus group discussions with Fulani nomadic pastoralists. Pastoralists belonging to the Fulani ethnic group are a minority in Northern Ghana, and have been migrating southward from Burkina Faso during the dry season, in search for water and pasture for their cattle, or to rear cattle of host communities.

They generally perceive droughts as part of the yearly seasonal cycle, and use mobility to cope with the increasingly erratic rainfall. More recently, with the construction of water reservoirs, more Fulani pastoralists decide to settle permanently in these areas, making deals with local chiefs to also offer them livestock and manage it.

What are possible future ways of dealing with droughts for the Fulani pastoralists?

Northern Ghana

As a reprisal of God?

Or as a consequence of climate change?

This page displays a photocollage of possible imaginaries of the future based on my interactions with stakeholders when researching water-related risks. I focused specifically on environments where water supplies are manipulated - through the construction of reservoirs and irrigation systems.

Different possible future imaginaries of dealing with droughts are displayed, which can be used as input for workshops.

All pictures were made and edited by me.