PhD thesis Title Page Final _Richard Juma - Victoria University ...

how the Turkana themselves managed the situation of drought and
famine.
3.4.2 Observation and Informal Interviews.
The limitations of the archival records on the history of the Turkana
adaptation to drought and famine made it necessary to talk to the Turkana
themselves and learn from them. Therefore, much of the study time prior
to the household surveys was taken up by visiting the selected sites for the
purpose of observation and informal interviews. This was necessary to
make myself known, conceptualize the problem on the ground, and
consequently to plan for intensive formal interviews.
Due to the fact that areas around my research sites were operational areas
namely areas of insecurity due to raids and counter attacks staged by their
neighbours (Pokot cattle rustlers across the borders), it was found
advisable to work in close collaboration with local leaders’ in terms of
movement and residence.
The local chiefs from the two sites (Morulem and Lokichar) accorded me all
the necessary help. They personally took me around their respective areas
of jurisdiction and introduced me to the locals and other influential people
within those areas. When they could not travel with me, they made sure
one of the clan elders would take me around. I visited quite a number of
households. I was introduced to the people as a PhD student in
Development Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand,
doing research on 2005-2006 drought and famine, and how the Turkana
coped on their own. The villagers didn’t have any difficulty in welcoming
me. The Turkana nomads only have difficulties with neighbours who are
perceived as interested in raiding their livestock. I was welcomed and
asked for tobacco.
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