TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

THE MA.RRl BALUOH OF PAKISTAN 293
the potointlw, relatively free-moving nomadic camps unattached to
a particular village. Marri nomadic camping units, whether tlo.r,hin
or potointlah, are small, scattered, and can range from one to eight
families, but generally number three to four. Potointlw are distinguished
from tlo.r,hin nomads by their longer migrations and greater
herd size,ll~ but this distinction, as well as the distinction between
l!Iedentary agriculturalist and tlo.rshin nomad, should not be regarded
as absolute. Loa of herds through disease or other natural calamities,
as well as the development of political and economic ties with
a village, can change a potDintlah into a tlo.r,hin or a sedentary, just
as an increase in herd me may transform a tlo.r.hin into a powintlo.h.
Thus, the situation is not stable, but rather is dynamic, with a great
deal of movement from one group to another.
Another result of the different relative weight assigned to agriculture
and the varying requirements of the different species in the
camp herds is a marked spatial separation of the various camp functions.
Since each activity has its own optimal pattern and cycle of
movement, individual members of a camp will be I!JCattered far and
wide acroes the landscape. 20
Because agricultural land is located in areas unsuited or undesirable
for grazing and because individuals may be assigned or may
lease land anywhere in the tribal territory, the men, who do most
of the plowing and agricultural work, will often be found for extended
periods at great distances from the camping unit. Care of
the animals dominates the daily camp rhythm, and because different
SPecies have different water and forage requirements and preferences,
they are herded separately. Shepherds are usually males, the young
men herding the adult sheep and goats in the higher hills and mountain
ranges, while young children guard the lambs and kids, usually
keeping them near the camp. Women, children, and old men are
in charge of the cattle and donkeys. Since the various herds leave
the camp in the early morning, move through their separate orbits
during the day, and do not return until night, the camp is largely
deserted, particularly by the males, during the course of the day.
Women have various gathering tasks that take them from the immediate
vicinity of the camp, while the men of the camp are also
often away buying and trading, hunting, searching for new pastures,
or attending to political responsibilities. With 80 many activities of
a disparate nature going on, the result is to "exert partly conflicting
pulls on those participating. Any migration policy will be a compromise
between these different pUlls"21 to be determined in the face