GLOSSARY

abeb foot and mouth disease

Ag son of
ahofar type of bread made from fruit of Ziziphus spina-christi
aich, el gruel made from butter, flour and milk
alluxunne fish: Gymnarchus niloticus
amur container for storing milk
anjobe fish: dog fish
arekie strong alcoholic spirit made from dates and sorghum
asida solid porridge made from fermented or fresh batters of
sorghum wheat or millet flour
awasill hand tool for tilling the soil
babor diesel engine used in irrigation pumps
balde fish: Heterotis niloticus
banco mud and manure mixture used for building
bappoore fish: Nile Perch
barema wage labourer
bazdoul fish: Pomadasys rogeri, type of carp
bili bili non-alcoholic drink made from fermented gruel
birr unit of Ethiopian currency
blancs, les term used to refer to whites and also strangers in general
Bobo revolt 1913-1916, one of the last local revolts against the French
bordei local beer
boubou loose cotton cloak worn on formal or special occasions by
men
boule drink made from millet flour with milk or water
boyinaajo wild dog
brochet fish: pike
caca cross local name for cabbage which can be grown throughout
the year
calabash dried gourd skin used as container
canari earthenware jar, usually for water
capitaine fish: Nile Perch
CFA Communautk Financikre Africaine: the CFA franc, freely
convertible to French francs
chat plant (Catha edulis), chewed as stimulant
chef des head butcher
bouchers
chef du canton (Niger) traditional chief who has some administrative duties
chef de terre one who allocates the land within a community
coiffeur lit. traditional barber; an expert on scarification patterns,
traditionnel circumcision and bleeding cures
228 ATTHE DESERT'S EDGE

courbine fish: Sciaena aquila

couscous crushed steamed wheat, eaten with broth, meat or vegetables
CRDA state regional development structure in Burkina Faso
daba hoe
debaye agricultural tool for ploughing
debrigor cattle disease affecting the back
degue millet gruel
Dergue Ethiopian military committee, which took power from
Emperor Selassie in 1974 and was deposed in 1991
derkey larva of intermittent cereal pest
diguette barrier of stones to stop soil erosion
dikula small antelope
dolo millet beer
duba agricultural tool for ploughing
ela pond dug to catch rainwater
emir traditional leader
espeza type of bread
etejhtan Islamic burial ceremony
fanco weaning food
fatiha, el opening section of Qur'an
feddan area of land approximately equal to an acre
fulah natural pools of water

gahawa lit. coffee; roadside caf6

galameret 2 acre plot of land
garad pods of smut tree used in inhalation as remedy for colds
and fevers, and in tanning
genie spirit being
griot traditional musician or praise-singer, formerly attached to
and provided for by a specific family or village. Although
their livelihood is now considerably reduced, griots are
often employed to encourage communal activities
gris gris charm
groupement traditional community group, often active in local
development activities
Habha, el Sudanese season
haboub strong wind usually associated with thick dust
haj pilgrimage to Makkah
haji, el one who has made the pilgrimage to Makkah
hantour wagon
hatab wooden pole used in house building
 Glossary 229

hawat goatskin container for making yoghurt

husa sandy infertile soil
icterus jaundice
Idara Ahliya when sheikhs had the power to implement colonial
legislation and tax systems, under the British administration
imam Muslim leader who is recognised authority on Islamic
theology and law; also the prayer leader of a mosque
injera thin pancake of fermented t’ef dough
ivr fish: Pornadasysjubeliri, type of carp
jakka share of harvest paid as rent, a tithe
jamba male wedding dance-known as the vulture dance
jujube fruit of Ziziphus mauritania or spina-christi
kama’in brick factory (pl. of kamina: brick kiln)
katikan fine fabric
kebele Peasants Association
kerba goat skin
k’ert area of land
keychtai red clayey soil
khayma tent
khor seasonal water course
kisra unleavened, fermented batter made from sorghum flour,
cooked into thin pancakes
kofo large barrel made of cow dung and ash
kola bride-price
koro enamel bowl used for measuring, equivalent to 2.5-3 kg
kotie areaof land equal to 3.2 hectares or 7.9 acres
k’ut possibly rinderpest, contagious disease fatal to cattle
lalob desert date, fruit of heglig

Makkah (Mecca) the holiest city of the Islamic religion

marabout Muslim prayer leader, teacher and sometimes healer, who is
venerated locally for his spiritual powers
mid local measure equivalent to 3 kg
mindakoro chicken pox
Mint daughter of
mixture, the possibly Oral Rehydration Therapy (sugar, salt, water)
mukhamma area of land equal to 7400 sq. metres
muude measure of harvest
Natra, el Sudanese rainy season; lit. the roar of the lion, ie. the period
of thunder and rain
nazir traditional leader of tribal group, now a district-level officer
230 ATTHE DESERT’S EDGE

nesha nourishing drink made from local vitamin-rich fruit

niinan kande basket of ground grain paid by tenant to land owner
Ould son of

pagne length of cloth

pain de singe lit. monkey bread; fruit of baobab
phacochere wart-hog
pirogue small boat shaped like canoe, used for fishing and transport
pro’h condiment
qadi Islamic court judge
quintal hundredweight
ratel local measure equivalent to approximately llb (449.28 gr)
ratoba arthritis
sagia traditional wooden water wheel
sala large antelope with long horns
segeremmes guinea-worms
seluka digging stick, with foot-rest
sha’ab forked building pole
shaman traditional healer
Sharia traditional code of Islamic law, both civil and criminal,
based in part on the Qur‘an
sheikh community leader
sheki traditional healer
shekwa sheep or goatskin containers
shireya thin spaghetti, eaten with sugar
sihnet “smoke bath” believed to make one strong, healthy
and attractive
silanye fish: Bagrus
silure fish: cat fish
SONADER parastatal organisation set up to manage imgated agriculture
soumbala seasoning for sauces made from processed locust
beans (n6rC)
sumbuk wooden fishing boat
tam tam drum
tanin product of Acacia nilotica used in tanning
Tarfa, el period of light showers at end of Sudanese rainy season
t8 solid porridge made from millet flour, eaten with sauce
tobe thin multi-coloured material worn by women over
ordinary clothes
totem animal or plant species with particular association to a
human clan name
 Glossary 231

ud lit. stick; also area of land

UM In 1973 Mauritania withdrew from the French-backed
West African Monetary Union and created its own
currency: Ouguiya (UM)
umda head of tribe with administrative and judicial powers, but
subordinate to nazir
varou large lambskin blanket
Walet daughter of
walga female deer
wat vegetable or meat stew
whalaha black fertile soil
xarannimbe student followers of marabouts
ylka gazelle
zaa type of meningitis
zebu humped domestic oxen
BOTANICAL GLOSSARY

It has not proved possible to verify the accuracy of all local names, some of which
may have been misheard or mistranscribed. Therefore this glossary represents,
at
best, a provisional list. No attempt has been made to check vernacular names
against specimens, although wherever possible they have been checked with
standard reference works.

A=Arabic; Am=Amharic; B=Bork; Bo=Borana; D=Djerma; Eth T=Tigrigna;

Eth Te=Tigre; F=French;G=Gourma;H=Hausa;Ha=Hasaniya; M=Moork;
O=Oromigna; S=Somali; So=Soninke; T=Tamashek.

LOCAL LATIN
aaye (Eth T ) Diospyros mespiliformis ebony
abarom (T) Andropogon gayanus Gamba grass
abish (Am) Trigonellafoenum-graecum fenugreek
abu asabeil ( A ) Steganotaenia araliacea
adgi zana
adjar ( T ) Maerua crassifolia
adress (Ha) Commiphora africana African myrrh
adri (Eth T) Brassica carinata Ethiopian mustard
or B. integrifolia
agadjini ( H ) Boscia angustifolia
ahirdjidjim ( T ) Cassia italica senna
akarkar ( T ) Anogeissus leiocarpus
alalo (0) Trema guineensis
or Croton macrostachyus
alcheso (Bo) Cymbopogon sp. grass oil
almet (Eth TL) grass
amuzba
an 'anou (B) Prosopis africana
an'ansouire ( B ) tree
anistayeti-andel
anona (Bo) Trichilia emetica Mahoghany
Cape
anza (H) Boscia senegalensis
aorawa ( H )
arak ( A ) Salvadora persica toothbrush tree
arcobcobai Hyphaene thebaica doum palm or gingerbread tree
arsar (Bo) Gnidia stenophylloides
awaicho (Bo) Ricinus communis plant oilcastor
awlea (Eth T ) Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata wild olive
baava (So) Pennisetum pedicellatum grass
234 ATTHEDESERT’SEDGE

babanous (A) Dalbergia melanoxylon African blackwoodtree

babarbare haricot bean
bage (So)
balasa (D) Commelina sp. type of spiderwort
ballanji (Bo)
bambei Ipomoea batatar sweet potato
bamia ( A ) Abelmoschus esculenus okra
banguede‘rk ( M )
barkoudi ( M ) Annona senegalensis wild custard-apple
barra (So) Pennisetum pedicellatum grass
barsim ( A ) Medicago sativa alfalfa
bazanga, el Sorghum sp. type of sorghum
belbeshre weed
beri beri(A) Sorghum bicolor sorghum
bichure (Ha) white millet
bik’a (Bo) Pappea capensis
or Combretum molle
bilbilwo ( H ) weed
bili (So) Vetiveria nigritana grass
bilil ( S ) Acacia mellifera
binne (So) Sesamum indicum sesame
biririhouta Sorghum sp. quick-growing sorghum
bisana Croton macrostachys
bor’rio (B) Balanites aegyptiaca desert date
botouro (B)
bro’iwe (B) tree
burate (Bo) creeper
butiye (Bo) Mitragyna stipulosa African linden
cailckdrat (F) Khaya senegalensis African mahogany
camal gesh(A) hay
chekomta (Eth T ) Ficus sp. type of fig
cram cram( F ) Cenchrus biflorus cram cram
dachi ( H ) Commiphora africana
dadache (Bo) Acacia tortilis
daero (Eth T ) Ficus sp. type of fig
dagusha (Am) Eleusine coracana finger millet
dambalab, el (A) Aristida mutabilis type of triple-awn grass
dambare (So)
dan heca quick-growing millet
d h i (H) Cenchrus bljlorus cram cram
dan tchima quick-growing millet
dargaza ( H ) Grewia bicolor
dawa ( H ) Sorghum bicolor
 BOTANICAL
GLOSSARY 235

dedecca (0) Acacia abyssinica umbrella thorn

deefe (So)
deka (0) Grewia ternbensis
delol ( S )
dere (So) Ficus urnbellata type of fig
deye (So)
digita Carissa edulis
or Syzygiurn guineense
dilo ( H ) Boscia senegalensis
dirtab ( S ) Canavalia ensifomis bean horse
dorn ( A ) Hyphaene thebaica doum palm or gingerbread tree
dua ( B ) M8 tree
dura ( A ) Sorghum bicolor sorghum
eligo ( M )
ernbuacho Rumex sp.
ensete (Am) Ensete ventricosurn false banana
ergenssa (Bo) Prernna resinosa

f a (So) Ziziphus rnauritiana Indian jujube

fak turu (So)
figuier ( F ) Ficus sp. type of fig
fonio (F) Digitaria exilis fonio
fonio sauvage (F) Panicum laeturn wild fonio
frornager ( F ) Ceiba pentandra silk cotton tree
brza (Bo) Crotolaria rosenii

gaafe (So) Piliostigrna reticulaturn

galol ( S ) Acacia nilotica subsp. adstringens
garnba ( H ) Andropogon gayanus Gamba grass
garaaje (So)
garga ( G ) Eleusine indica
gargir Eruca sativa rocket cress
garse (Bo) Dobera glabra
gasa
gawo (H) Faidherbia albida apple-ring
acacia
gese (So) Acacia senegal arabicgum tree
gesho ( A ) Rhamnus prinoides
gollos
gornbo ( F ) Abelrnoschus esculenus okra
gundu gundu ( H ) quick-growing millet
gurisa (Bo) Euphorbia depauperata
habeil ( A ) Cornbreturn cordofanurn
hagar ( S ) Cornrniphora
sp. type of incense tree
236 AT THEDESERT’SEDGE

hagarssu (Bo) Commiphora ogadensis type of incense tree

or C. erythraea
hale(Bo) Acacia bussei
halfa ( A ) Desmostachya bipinnata bulrush
hamaricha (Bo) tree creeper
hamessa (0) Commiphora sp. type of incense tree
hano ( H ) Boswellia dalzielii frankincense tree
or Boswellia odorata
haraz ( A ) Faidherbia albida apple-ring acacia
hareze weed
hargassa (Bo) Commiphora ogadensis type of incense tree
or C. erythraea
haseba (Eth T) Combretum molle
hashab ( A ) Acacia senegal gum arabictree
hasharat, el ( A )
hawri
hays ( H ) Cyperus esculentus yellow nutsedge, tigernut
hidado (Bo)
hido (Bo) Girardinia diversifolia
heglig (A) Balanites aegyptiaca desert date
hivanou ( B )
houanaou ( B ) Terminalia avicennioides
fun
ignine (Ha) Capparis decidua
ilmogori (0) Cardiospermum halicacabum balloon vine
imbis (Am) Allophylus abyssinicus
imigige (Ha)
inchichi ( S )
intatie
irgin ( S )
iria ( B ) weed
jaaje (So) Graminae sp. grass
jebe (So) Lawsonia inermis henna
jomba (So) Vitex doniana
jongoone (So)
jujubier (F) Ziziphus mauritiana or spina-christi Christ’s thorn
kakito Medicago polymorpha type of clover
kalgo ( H ) Piliostigma reticulatum
kamsaongo ( M ) Ficus gnaphalocarpa type of fig
kancha (Eth T )
kandiga ( M )
kangna (T) Acacia nilotica subsp. adstringens
 BOTANICAL
GLOSSARY 237

kango ( M ) Balanites aegyptiaca date desert

kansah ( S ) Acacia etbaica
karasho (0) Commiphora boranensis type of incensetree
karite' ( F ) Butyrospermum paradoxum shea
butter
tree
karkadeh ( A ) Hibiscus sabdariffa roselle
kassaoura ( H ) Acanthospermum hispidum
kbeibtadab (Ha) Euphorbia granularis
keglu-vando
kelto Ximenia americana spiny plum
kdndbgo
kesie Lantana salvifolia
ketebene (So)
kiassoua ( H ) Acanthospermum hispidum
ki2gudndo ( M ) grass
kihe
kiide (So) Adansonia digitata baobab
kirikiri ( H ) Cynodon dactylon
kind (H) Bridelia ferruginea
kiskinde ( M ) Boscia angustifolia African
blackwood
tree
or Dalbergia melanoxylon
kitr ( A ) Acacia mellifera
klaiba
koanga ( M ) Borassus aethiopum African
fan palm
k'obo (EthT ) Euphorbia sp.
k 'obo (0) Ricinus communis castor oil plant
koigo ( M )
kongo ( M ) Borassus aethiopum African
fan palm
kora (0) Acacia tortilis
kougare' ( M )
kouiga ( M ) Ficus thonningii
kouka ( M ) Khaya senegalensis mahogany
African
koumoudoua ( H ) weed
krusan Boscia senegalensis
kuanti weed
kuiie (So) Faidherbia albida apple-ring
acacia
kurumtia weed
kuwa (Bo) tree
laut (A) Acacia oerjota
leaw
leet
leham (Eth T) Syzygium guineerzse
le'logo ( M ) Leptadenia hastata
leyara ( H ) grass
238 ATTHEDESERT'SEDGE

liby ( S ) Delonix alata

lubia ( A ) Vigna sinensis cowpea
mad'stchi Khaya senegalensis mahogany
African
makanisa ( S ) Dombeya goetzenii
makofa (Bo) Acetosa abyssinicus
mara ( S ) Acacia nilotica subsp. adstringens
mashela (Am) Sorghum vulgare greatermillet or guinea corn
mat 'agudesa (Bo) Hyparrhenia rufu grass jaragua
matous ( B )
mayo (S) Euclea schimperi
mesquite (Spanish) Prosopis chilensis
mileo Combretum aculeatum
mourai
muatie
muchuku weed
mulukhia ( A ) Corchorus olitorius bush okra
nama (B) Cyperus sp. sedge
ndain ( A ) Bauhinia rufescens
iiecce (So) millet
neem (Hindi) Azadirachta indica neem
ne're' ( F ) Parkia biglobosa locust bean
nihuge
niwa (So)
nobce' ( M ) Sclerocarya birrea type of plum tree
nobi ( H ) Cymbopogon schoenanthus grass
camel
Aobugu (So) petit mil
nonbo ( H )
nounaa (Ha) wheat
obol ( S ) Tamarindus indica tamarind
oholley (Bo)
0'0 ( B ) Detarium microcarpum
or0 'dodo ( B ) weed
peleiga ( M ) Securidaca longipedunculata
pe'nkidiga ( M )
pimpirssi ( M )
pois de terre ( F ) Vignu subterranea Bambara groundnut
poumpoumsse' ( M ) Calotropis procera sodom appleor Dead Sea apple
pousga ( M ) Tamarindus indica tamarind
pousse m'pougou ( M )
pre'ferga ( M )
prunier ( F ) Sclerocarya birrea type of plum tree
 BOTANICAL GLOSSARY 239

Brassica integrifolia type of cabbage

or B. japonica
raisinier ( F ) Lannea microcarpa
raria ( H ) Chrysanthemum procumbens
rericha (Bo)
r6nier ( F ) Borassus aethiopum palm
African
fan
saake (So)
saaraxotte (So) grass
saasingull (So) Grewia bicolor
sabako (Bo)
sabansa (Bo) Acacia mellifera
sabara ( H ) Guiera senegalensis
sabce' (M) Lannea acida
sabraya (Ha)
sagla (Eth T ) Ficus sycomorus sycamore fig
sallaha (Ha)
sambe (S;) Grewia bicolor
samreh (A) Acacia tortilis
savonnier ( F ) Sapindus saponaria wingleaf soapberry
sellam ( A ) Acacia ehrenbergiana
sericha (Bo) Albiuia sp.
serreh ( A ) Maerua crassifolia
sexenne (So) Balanites aegyptiaca desert date
seyal (A) Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana
shibti (Eth T) Phytolacca dodecandra
shiferaw (Bo) Sesbania sesban sesban
shiga ( F ) Striga hermontheca witch weed
shitora
shumbra Cicer aretinum chickpea
siada ( A ) Cyperus sp. grass
sidr ( A ) Ziziphus spina-christi Christ's thorn
siiga (M) Anogeissus leiocarpus
silikoore' ( M ) Capparis corymbosa
silyingue' ( M )
simsim ( A ) Sesamum indicum sesame
sirgirso (Bo)
sodom apple Calotropis procera Dead Sea apple
sogsog (S) Acacia etbaica
sokkin gulle (So)
soole (So) Schoenfeldia gracilis
soug 'dri (M)
sourtoutougou ( M )
striga Striga sp. weed
240 AT THEDESERT’SEDGE

subakh Terminalia brownii

sukella (Bo) Delonix alata
smut (A) Acacia nilotica subsp. nilotica
swhi (Eth Td)
taanga ( M ) Butyrospermum paradoxum shea buttertree
tabar (So) Ipomoea sinensis type of twining plant
subsp. blepharosepala
tabr ( A ) Ipomoea cordofana
tadjart ( T ) (leaves 08Maerua crassifolia
takalite (Ha) type of wheat
taleh ( A ) Acacia seyal whistling thorn
talh (Ha) Acacia tortilis
tambukh (Eth T ) Croton macrostachys
tansalga ( M )
tanwa ( H )
taoura ( H ) Detarium microcarpum
taxaleeme (So) grass
taya ( M ) Adansonia digitata baobab
taychCt
tchiriri (H) Combretum nigricans
tebeldi (A) Adansonia digitata baobab
tebatay-andel
tedba (Ha)
t ’ef Eragrostis tef tiny-grained staple cereal
tefe (So) Combretum glutinosum
terres azarack
thahat (Eth T i ) Acacia sp.
tichifitt (Ha) Combretum glutinosum
tijit (Ha)
tim-timtinga ( M )
titiko ( M ) grass
titimri
tormos legume
toticha
tsabre ( H ) Cymbopogon giganteus type of oil grass
tuk’a (Bo) Helichrysum citrispinum
tumbe (So) Tamarindus indica tamarind
tumfajiya ( H ) Calotropis procera sodom apple or Dead Sea apple
tundub (A) Capparis decidua
turo (So) Ficus gnaphocarpa type of fig
ubacho (Bo)
ulicha (Bo) creeper
underab ( A ) Cordia sinensis
 BOTANICAL
GLOSSARY 241

usder (Ha)
usher ( A ) Calotropisprocera sodom apple or Dead Sea apple
vi’chinmin ( B ) weed
waiddga ( M ) Saba senegalensis
walchama (Bo)
walda (Bo)
wan’de‘ (M)
wango ( M ) parasitic weed
white pear Apodytes dimidiata
widkg kaka ( M )
willimwiiga ( M ) Guiera senegalensis
wbgo ( M )
wolzare (M)
worowolle (So) Striga sp. weed
woyira Canavalia ensifomis horse bean
xaame (So)
xaarigille (So)
xiile (So) Mitragyna inermis
xoofe (So) Dalbergia melanonylon African blackwoodtree
yaafe (So) Piliostigma reticulatum
yano ( H )
ye’o ( B ) Pterocarpus erinaceus African rosewood
(M)
y.fa (So)
zaaga ( M ) Faidherbia albida apple-ring acacia
zabiu (Ha)
zamarke ( H ) Sesbania leptocarpa
or Aeschynomene indica
zambne‘ (M)
zango quick-growing millet
zengada sorghum sp. local varietyof sorghum
zna (B) Striga hermontheca witch weed
zoure‘ ( H ) Boscia salicifolia
KEY: B=Burkina Faso C=Chad E=Ethiopia M=Mali MR=Mauritania N=Niger
S=SudanSE=Senegal

Abortion: see Birth control Rainfall: decrease in: B5 B 17 E61

Agricultural techniques: see Crops, N33 S17 SE2 SElO SE13 SE17 effects
Farming on farming: SE13 SE17 effects on
Agro-pastoralism: B 11 C2 M25 M32 wind: S69 increase in wind: MR14
MR2 MR18 S15 S19(see also Prediction of rainfall/climate
Pastoralists) change: S 18 (see alsoDrought)
Aid: see Developmentlaid Clothing: B11 B17 C l C18 M1 M5 M14
Allah: see ReligionIGod MR3 MR18 MR34 NI S80
Animals: (Domestic:see Colonia1ism:Attitudes towards: N19
Livestock)Wildlife: E5 E66 E8 1 Effects on education: MRI 4 Effects
prohibition of killing: E5 E66 as on farming methods: N17 Forced
food: NI depletion innumbers of: labour: M3 N17 N19 History of:
B8 B9 B1 1 B26 E81 NI7 S58 SE2 MR14 (see also Monetisation,
SE5 SElO SE13 Taxation, Wars)
Army: C l E58 Communicationshedia: B5 N20
Bandits: C3 N3 N27 Conservation: Dykes: B17 (Law against
Baptism: see Customs tree cutting: see Trees) Soil: B9
Birth control: Attitudes towards:MR3 Contraception: see Birth control
S37 Traditional methods: B4 B8 B9 Cooking: see Food
N5 SElO SE18 (see alsoMarabouts) Cooperative schemes: S 18
Breastfeeding: see Children CO-wives: see Marriage, Women
Brewing: see Occupations Craftwork: see Occupations
Browse: see Nutrition,Pasture Crop rotation:see Farming
Crops: Pestslinsects: affectingyield: C3
Cash cropping: see Farming C33 E5 M3 M8 M10 MR2 MR3
Cattle: see Livestock MR31 N1 N5 strategies against: C3
Chiefdsheikhs: M5 MR34 N4 S19S72 E62 M3 M5 M11 SE5 SElO SE17
As mediator between groups: N41 Varieties planted: S37 groundnuts:
S 19 S72 SE9 N4 millet: M25 MR31 N4 rice: C13
Children: Breastfeeding practices:E61 sorghum: E61 M25 N4 S80
MR3 N5 S52(Childbirth: see Health) vegetables: B9 wheat: MR2 Change
Disciplinehpbringing: M5 M8 SE2 in varieties planted: C3 S1 Varieties
SElO SE13 SE17Games: M25 MR14 cropped together: MR39 Quick-
MRI 8 Preference boy/girl:B8 B9 growing varieties:MR14 New
MR39 Support from:B8 As cultivation times with quick-growing
workers: MR2 MR3 (see also Family, varieties: haricot beans:N17 millet:
Young people) N17 sorghum: N17 Sales: expected
Circumcision: see Customs market prices: carrots: MR37 grain:
Climate: Changes: general change:B17 B4 koro: C2 millet: N19 N41
M8 M10 M1 1 God orsin as acause vegetables: MR3 1 wheat:MR2 price
of change: B17 M3 M5 M10 M25 S54
244 AT THE DESERT’SEDGE

fluctuation: N 19 Seeds: C 1 Storage: Education: Cl C3 C13 C33 C40 MR2

B8 M42 SE5 SE10 SE13 grainbanks: MR14 MR18 MR37NI9 N41 S1 S43
NI7 NI9Yields: decrease in: S15 S63 S71 Mistrust of western: C33
SE2 SE13 grain: C1 E5 N1 SE5 MR14
groundnuts: SE5 maize: E62 (see Emigration: see Migration
also Farming, Weeds) Erosion: Methods of tackling: B4 B5 B8
Customs: MR2 MR14 S72 Baptisdafter M10 M42 S54 Ravines: B4 B17 M3
childbirth: B5 MR2 MR3 M10 M25 Water: M3 M10 Wind:
Circumcision: B4 C2 MR37 N3 M10 M25
Courting: C18 Funerals: B4 MR2 Exchange, forms of: see Monetisation
MR37 SE9 Loss of old traditions: B8 Fallow periods: B5 B8 E61 M10 MI 1
Marriage: B4 B26 M10 MR2 MR14 MR31 N1 S15 SE5
MR39 SE2 SE5 SE9 SE17 (see also Family: Head of household: N17 (see
Marriage) Tribalmarkings: N3 also Women)Size of: B5 B9 B17 E61
Women’s behaviour: MR39 (see also M8 M25 MR31 MR39Support
Festivals, Folkbeliefs) within: B23 N5
Deforestation: Attitudes towards:B 17 Famine: Coping strategies:B5 B 17 C 1
Result of: cutting trees: B 11 C33 E62 C40 M3 MR2N1 N5 Nameddates:
N5 NI7 S3 S17 S19 firewood B1 1 B17 C l C2 C3 MR3 NI7 (see
collection: C13 MR14 MR37 also Food, Migration)
heatldrought: B 1 1 E62 M8 MR37 Farming: Cash cropping: NI 7 NI9 S3
MR39 N5 land clearance: E62 S 17 S 17 S18 Communal farming:B4
(see also Trees) SE 17 Cooperative schemes: S 18
Desertification: MR14 (see also Climate, Irrigated farming:B 11 S25 SE5
Deforestation, Drought, Dune SE10 SE17 Rainfed farming: MR14
encroachment) S19 Seasonal farming:MR2 S 17
Development/aid: Aid and supportfrom Share cropping: S54 Subsistence
state: B 11 B26 E61 M3 MR2 MR37 farming: S37 Techniques: general
S25 Attitudes towards projects: B4 cultivation methods: B 17 M42 MR31
B5 B8 M5 M8 M10 M11 S1 S72 crop rotation: B4 E5 N17 S54
Development education: B9 Food mechanisation: S25 multi-cropping:
for Work: E18 E24 E74 E8 1 N17 for specific crops:millet: B8
Indigenous development: MR14 sorghum: E61 S80 New techniques:
Priorities for: definedby men: B 11 attitudes towards: NI NI7 (see also
MR14 defined by women: B9 MR2 Conservation, Crops, Fallow
N4 (see also Technology) periods, Fertilisers, Land,
Diseases: Animal: E61 MR18 MR34 SS8 Technology)
SE5 SE9 (Human: see Health) Fertilisers: Chemical: B9 B 11 M5 N19
(Plants: see Crops) S15 SE13 Organic: B5 B9 B11 B17
Dispensaries: see Health E18 E61 E66 M3 N19 N41 S15 Cost:
Division of labour: see Gender S 15 None used: MR3 1 SE 17 Wood-
Divorceheparation: C l 8 E18 E78 N4S37 ash: N17
Drought: E81 M8 MR3 MR18N1 N17 Festivals: MR18 SE5
N27 S 15 S80 (see also Climate) Firewood: see Fuel
Dune encroachment: M25 MR2 MR14 Fishing: Boats: C33 N27 Decline in
MR3 1 MR37 S32 number of fish: C13 C33 S69
Dykes: see Conservation Practices: C13 C40 MR34 SE5 SE10
 INDEX
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SE17 Sale/price of fish: C33 C40 Deforestation) Division/allocation:

MR34 N27 Skills: N27 Species of M10 MR31 Free land: MR 14 Sale of:
fish: C13 C40 N27 (Water levels: see N19 Scarcity of: N17 N41 Tenure
Water) and tithedrent: B1 1 MR3 SE13 (see
Floods: S3 S15 SE9 SE17 also Inheritance, Women)
Fodder: see Nutrition, Pasture Language: Metaphors/similes: SS8
Folk beliefdtales: B9 B 1 MR2
1 N2 S 18 Names: C18 C37 MR2 MR39
SE2 (see also Proverbs) Law: see State
Food: Aid: C13 E18 MR31 S80 (see also Livestock: Animal preference:B1 1 B17
Development/aid) Changes in food: MR2 MR3 MR37 Camels: MR3 Care
B8 B9 MR39 During times of of: MR18 Depletion of herds: MR3
increased scarcity: B1 1 Cl N1 S80 S19 S25 Gestation periods: N3
SE5 (see also Famine) Preparation: Growth in herds: M8 M11
B5 E18 E24 M3 MR2S43 SE2SE9 Identification of: N3 Interaction with
making butter: M3 MR2 grinding farming systems: E5(see also Social
grain: N4 (see also Trees) groups, Fertilizer: organic)
Fuelwood: B4 C13 E24 E68 E78 (see Investment in: B8 B1 1 B17 NS N38
also Trees) Price: B11 MR2 MR3 MR18Ratio of
Funerals: see Customs male/female in herd:MR2 N3 S19
Gender: Attitudes: men’s towards Reconstitution of herds: MR2
women: B1 1 B25 N17 Conflict: MR3 Reproduction, control of: N3 Sale of
Complementarity: MR2 Division of during drought: B11 E61 Size of
labour/responsibility: B4 B5 B9 M3 herd: Cl E74 MR37 Taming of:
MR2 MR18 MR39S43 SS4 SE2 MR 18 Uses of: S 1S Watering of:
Grain: see Crops MR18 (see also Diseases, Nutrition,
Grasses: SElO (see separate Botanical Pasture)
Glossary) Magic: C40 Of blacksmiths: NS
Health: Childbirth: S80 Of fishing communities:C33 N27
Diseased common ailments:MR2 Of marabouts: C3 MR2 MR34 N3
MR3 N41 newdiseases: B 11 (see also Marabouts)
Dispensariedhealth centres:B4 Malnutrition: NS S3
MR37 Medicine: modern: MR2 MR3 Manure: see Fertiliser
SE2 traditional: E68 M8 MR2 MR3 Marabouts: Disciples: SE17 SE18
MR34 NI N3 NS N27 S17 S37 S43 Mediatorddecision makers: N3 (see
SS2 S80 SElO SE17 also Magic, Religion)
Houses: S72 S80 Market gardening: B9 B 1 1B 17 MR3
Hunters: C28 E81 N1 (see also MR31 MR37
Chiefdsheikhs, Magic) Marriage: Arranged: MR2 N4 N5
Attitudes of women towards: MR2
Independence: SE5 SE 10 SE13 Between cousins: NS Bride-price: C2
Inheritance: B1 1 M8 M42 NI N3 N17 C3 M3 M10 M11 S72 SE9 Co-wives:
Irrigation: B9 Pump: MR14 (see also N1 MR16 SE5 Dowry: N4
Farming) Polygamy:Bll E62M10N1 SElO
Labourers: see Migration, Occupations, (see also Customs, Divorce/
Work separation)
Lakes: see Water Medicine: see Health
Land: Clearance: E62 (see also Migration: Lifestyleof migrants in
246 AT THEDESERT’SEDGE

cities: MR2 MR3Migrant relatives: Ploughs: see Technology

S 15 S17 Non-migrant men: N5 Polygamy: see Marriage, Women
Permanent: C2MR31 Reasons for: Ponds: seeWater
B8BllB17C2MllMR2SE5Rural Population: Decrease: M1 1 Increase:
to urban areas: during famine: B26 N33 S17 effects of: B4 M10 NI7 NI9
MR2 MR3 MR18 MR37 for S 15 Migration: S25
education: S25 Seasonal:B 11 M8 Price fluctuation: see Crops
MR18 S72 SElO SE13 SE17 Social Priorities for development: see
effects of C3 S 1 Women migrants: Development/aid
B5 B9 MR39 N41 S37 Proverbs/common sayings: B25 E24
Monetisation: C33 NI7 N19 SElO M25 MR39
Previous forms of exchange: N19 Rainfall: see Climate
(see also Colonialism, Taxation) Ravines: see Erosion
Mortality rate: see Children Refugees: S37 S52 S54 S58 S63
Names: see Language Religion: GodlAllah:B17 C l 8 MR3
NGOs: see Development MR37 Pilgrimage: N3 N5 Prayer:
Nomads: see Pastoralists C40 SE9
Nutrition: (Animal: see Pasture) Rent: E5 SElO (see also Land)
Human: adult: S37 S43 (Infant: see Resettlement: see Villagisation
Malnutrition) Roads: Building and impact of N19 S80
Occupations: Brewing (women): C18 (see also Communications,
E18 E78 Brick making: S17 Cloth Transport)
dyeing: B 17MI 1 Cooking: MR2 Sandstorms: S69
Cotton production/weaving Schools: see Education
(women): B17 N5 SElO SE18 Seasonal labour: see Migration
Craftwork: C2C3 MR34 Repairing: Seasons: B9 Rainy seasons: E62 (see
C33 Sale of dogs: N1 Sale of also Farming, climate)
fuelwood: N 19 Sale of livestock: B 11 Sedentarisation: B1 1 M42 (see also
N5 (see also Livestock) Small-scale Agro-pastoralism, Pastoralists)
trade: B4 B1 1 MR2 MR3 MR39S80 Seeds: see Crops
(see alsoWork) Slavery: M3 M10 MR3 MR14 MR18
Old age: Attitudes towards: see Young MR24b MR34
people Social groups, relationshipsbetween:
Pastoralists: B25 MR3 MR18 MR37 N3 Farmers andpastoralists: MR14 N33
N33 S43 Forced to switch to SE2 SE5 SE9 SElO SE13 SE17
farming: S19 Movement of: B1 1 C1 Neighbouring villages: M10 S72 S80
C2 MR37 N33 Preference for Settled migrants andlocal people:
farming or pastoralism: N33 S19 N I Tribes in the same region: C1 N4
(see also Agro-pastoralism, (see alsoWars)
Livestock) Social unity: C40 MI 1 MR37 During
Pasture: E74 MR18 (see also Livestock, famine: M3MR3 Loss of: B17 M5
Vegetation) M10 N33
Peasant associations: E78 (see also Social structure: M25 MR3 MR14 N4
Women) N17 N41
Pests: see Crops Soil: Fertility: N1 Types: B6 C2 M25
Plants: see separate Botanical Glossary S63
 INDEX
247

State: Administration: M42 Attitude Vegetation: Burning: E68 E81 Density:

towards: M10 MR2 MR3 S17 decrease in: B17 M10 MR3 no
Compulsory saleof crops to: E5 change: E68 (see also Trees)
Control: MR14 Land allocation by: Villages: Administration: MR34 N4
E5 Legislation: M10 S80 Creation of new: N1 S80 Size: S19
Training: B9 Villagisation: E5
Stoves: B9 MR14 MR39 Wars: Between neighbouring
Subsistence farming: see Farming tribes/groups/bordering states:C 1
Taboos: M5 MR34 S43 E58 E66 M8 MR34 N3 N19 N41
Taxation: M5 M8 M10colonialist: N17 Civil: S63 Disruption: E68 E81 S37
Method of payment: N1 (see also S54 S58 S63 S80 With colonialists:
State) N17 Second World War: S18
Technology: Appropriate: B4 M10 Water: Access to: B9 B26 C3 M3 M10
MR14 S3 Grindingmills: B9 E24 S80 MR3 MR31 N4 Change in water
Inappropriate: M5 MR2 S3 level: B9 S 19 Collecting: E68 MR2
Inaccessible: N5 N17 S17 Tools: Conservation: B4 Cost of: B1 1 M10
MR2 N19 S69 ploughs (animal):B4 MR3 MR31 MR34 MR37Dams: B1 1
ploughs (hand): M10 tractors: S69 MR2 MR14 Filtering: B8 Lack of:
S80 (see also Development/aid) MR3 Lakes: change in level: N27
Tithes: see Land, Rent Pumps: B17 MR2 Rivers: C33
Tools: see Technology change in level: C33 SE2 SE5 SElO
Totemism: B5 M8 widening: S69 Supply: MR3 Surface
Trading: see Occupations water: decrease in: MR14 Sources:
Transport: Aeroplane: MR34 Cart: B9 MR2 (see also Irrigation, Wells)
Foot: MR37 Motor vehicle: B4 N44 Waterholes: C l
Rail: MR34 Weaving: see Occupations
Trees: Ban on cutting: B1 1 M1 1 MR2 Weeds: B4 M3 N4 Millet weed: B8 (see
N17 N19 S54 S72 Uses: general: M5 also separate Botanical Glossary)
M11 M25 MR31 S58 SE17 body Wells: B 17 B26Cl 3 E74 MR2 S 19
smoking: S17 construction: B8 B 1l access to:M5 S80 benefits of: MR2
M8 SElO food: N1 handicrafts: B8 maintenance of: M3 strategies of
tools and utensils: M8 N1 S17 digging: E74 MR37 S 19 (see also
traditional medicine:B8 B1 1 E68 Erosion, Water)
M3 MR2 S17 S80 SElO Planting of: Wildlife: see Animals
B17 S18 Winds: N17 Whirlwind: N1 (see also
Tree cover: increase in: E18 thinning Erosion)
in: E61 E66 M3 M1 1 N1 N19 S19 Women: Community associations:B5
Varieties: disappeared: B 11 B8 C2 C 13 E24 N4 Development
preferred: B9 (see also projects: C2 MR3 Economic power:
Deforestation, Fuelwoodand MR2 Farmers: C l C3 MR3 SE5
separate Botanical Glossary) SElO Freedom of: B4 B8 B9 B26C l
Tribes: History: MR14 E24 MR18 MR31 MR39Land
Urbanisation/Urban life: B9 MR14 owners: N17 Land rights: N17
MR18 MR31 (see also Migration) Participation in community affairs:
B5 Roles (changing):M8
Vegetable gardens: see Market Self-empowerment: MR3 Sexuality:
gardening B5 Status: chief: MR34 co-wife: NI
248 AT THE DESERT’SEDGE

head of household: B5 S52 S63 head

of women’s community association:
N4 widow: E68 M10 Work: E78
SE10 decrease in workload: MR34
N41 non-profitablelunpaid: C l 3
grinding grain: N4 (Profitable work:
see Occupations)(see also
Developmentlaid, Gender, Marriage)
Wood: see Trees, Fuelwood
Work:Administration: B9
Blacksmiths: N5 Butchers: N33
Coiffeur traditionnel: N3
Fishermen: N27 S69(see also
Fishing) Midwives: MR2 N4 S37 S80
(see also Health) Shepherds:B23
Herbalists: E68 (see also
Occupations)
Young people: Attitudes: old towards
young: B1 1 B25 C33 M6 M8 M10
M11 MR3 MR14 MR31 N17 young
towards old: B8 B17 C33 C48 M5
SE9
Yields: see Crops