Why was the crisis of Maasai pastoralism not limited to decline in animal numbers?

Correct answer: It also affected livelihoods, social status, grazing routes and power relations

For the Maasai, livestock was not merely a source of income; it was linked to food, survival, social status and social relationships. Colonial boundaries, loss of grazing land and declining herds also changed seasonal movement routes and local power relations. Hence, the crisis had multiple dimensions. Option B is a close distractor, but the impact was far wider than family income. Exam tip: connect land, livestock, mobility and social status while answering on the Maasai crisis.