モンゴル高原中央部における家畜群のコントロール : 家畜群を近くに留める技法

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Mongolian nomads keep flocks and herds of grazing livestock near their camping places in vast grasslands, the techniques of which are related to their nomadism. as they deeply rely upon livestock management for subsistence. Concerning that topic, Dr. UMESAO Tadao proposed the hypothesis of "captive animal offspring", in which the separation of the lamb/kid/calf/colt from its mother leads the whole flock or herd to keep close to the nomads' camping place. This paper discusses indigenous techniques used by Mongolian nomads to keep each livestock flock (sheep, goats)and herd (cattle and horses) near their camping/places throughout the year, focusing on a case study of the T household, a nomad living in Dund-govi Province, Mongolia. Based on the preference of livestock to remain where it is accustomed to grazing, as well as its habit of remembering the route back to its owner's camping place, Mongolian nomads have utilized the following techniques to keep flocks and herds near their camping places: (1) the provision of well-water supply to livestock, (2) the separation of ewes/nannies/cows/mares from their offspring (the capture of lambs/kids/calves/colts), (3) the protection of livestock against extreme cold by keeping them in a wooden barn, (4) the supplementary feeding of livestock, and (5) visual checking by the nomad of the places where flocks or herds graze regularly using binoculars, and the interposition by the nomad into the flocks or herds as the occasion arises. During the three seasons of the year when the ewes/nannies/cows/mares are separated from their offspring (i.e., spring, summer. and autumn), Mongolian nomads mainly adopt the following techniques: (a) capturing the lambs/kids/calves/colts (separating them from their mothers-milking-sucking), (b) providing water supply, and (c) visual checking and interposition into the flock or herd. On the other hand, during the one season (i.e., winter) when the offspring stays with its mother (with freezing temperatures outside), various techniques are adopted by the nomads, as follows: (a) providing water supply, (b) protecting against extreme coldness, and (c) visual checking and interposition into the flock or herd. The paper concludes that Mongolian nomads have been able to keep livestock close to their camping places by utilizing the habits of ewes/nannies/cows/mares and their offspring, along with the changes in the natural environment, and adjust their techniques for livestock management depending on the season (i.e., whether or not the ewes/nannies/cows/mares were separated from their offspring). After investigating the actual situation of nomad T throughout the year, it became clear that UMESAO's hypothesis of "capturing animal offspring" is effective mainly between the last week of May and the first week of November, during the period that the lambs/kids/calves/colts are separated from their mothers. Livestock, however, is kept close to nomads' camping places by such techniques as providing water supply to them and protecting them against severe cold in wooden barns during the frozen season of winter. This paper proves the legitimacy of UMESAO's hypothesis during the period when ewes/nannies/cows/mares are separated from their offspring. It also clarifies other new techniques of flock/herd management when the offspring does stay with its mother-something that he did not fully grasp. The Mongolian plateau is located in northern Asia, with half the year being extremely cold. Conversely, the unique characteristic of the Mongolian nomad is his subsistence through utilizing the cold to manage livestock.
2011-09-30

著者

平田昌弘
帯広畜産大学

モンゴル高原中央部における家畜群のコントロール : 家畜群を近くに留める技法

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