Animal mobility, human mobility: A geopolitical of sheep in Armenia

The ethnographic mission to Armenia carried out by the NHASA International Associated Laboratory (LIA France-Armenia) was established observe pastoral practices of Yezidi and Armenian herders in a territory affected 1988 earthquake, collapse USSR period independence, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. political geographical stakes prevailing this country at beginning 21st century describe drunkenness statehood, culture mobility, persistence family plot among villagers, inherited from Soviet Union, finally, situation double enclavement characterized absence coastline, 80% border line blocked its Turkish-speaking neighbours. In context, we wanted study mobility herds men their seasonal movements search grass or systems guarding, but also those related commercial routes, collection import export movements. results show several strong points. First, midst global crisis communities pastoralism, offers an exception: rich high pastures that are not exploited due historical events cultural geopolitical circumstances. possibility expanding domain context where it is shrinking everywhere else one points our survey. While sedentarization becoming norm many pastoralist communities, example taking road backwards, moving towards semi-nomadism. There two types pastoralism Armenia: “nearby” “remove”, which could be described as “patriotic”. They both respond territorial injunction (the protection integrity national territory) have underlying aim fixation population state countryside, marginal zones territories occupied before Azeris. Large mobile called “opportunism”. This favoured promiscuity expansion challenges meat market Middle East GCC (including Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry), status quo maintained Russia on conflict, least climate crisis. It informal transnational transhumance, possible future relocated transhumance. workings globalisation (professional multilateral issues), fundamental Intensive livestock farming, marketing live animals health risks associated with transport slaughter increasingly criticized throughout world. continuation extensive construction standard slaughterhouses development chilled preparing for paradigm shift. village system collective probably during collectivism, good management common property. form social resilience face economic, emotional psychological shocks multiple crises today's reminder centuries-old pluriactivity people mountains tendency life. Multi-activity becomes response much ensure means subsistence, network constitutes purse opportunity.