How do livestock herders in Ethiopia's lowlands find grazing land and water?

In Ethiopia's lowlands, livestock herders primarily rely on pastoral nomadism to sustain their herds. Rather than remaining in one location, these groups migrate cyclically within an established territory to locate necessary pasturage and water for their animals.1

The specific patterns of these movements are dictated by the local climate, topography, and the specific needs of their livestock, which may include cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. While some pastoralists depend entirely on their herds for subsistence, others may supplement their livelihoods through trade or limited agriculture. In some regions, this movement is characterized by transhumance, a form of pastoralism involving seasonal migration between different altitudes or ecological zones to ensure the animals have access to grazing land throughout the year.12