Herder

Herder is a person who tends to a herd of domestic animals, often as part of a pastoralist livelihood. Herders may be nomadic or semi-nomadic, moving with seasonal grazing, or they may maintain fenced pastures in a more settled arrangement. The term contrasts with shepherd, which more narrowly refers to someone who tends primarily sheep, though in practice a herder may care for sheep, goats, cattle, camels, or other herd animals. Pastoralism is the broader subsistence system in which herding plays a central role.

Herding occurs in many regions and cultures. Common livestock include sheep, goats, cattle, camels, yaks, and reindeer. In Central Asia and Mongolia, nomadic and semi-nomadic herding has long been a defining livelihood. In Africa, herders such as the Maasai, Fulani, and Somali pastoralists manage cattle or camels. Reindeer herding is central for some Arctic and subarctic Indigenous peoples. Transhumance, the seasonal movement of herds between grazing grounds, is a defining feature in several regions.

Modern herding faces challenges and adaptations. Climate change, land-use changes, and market pressures affect traditional grazing patterns. Some herders adopt mobile technology, veterinary care, and improved breeding and water management to maintain herds. The social and cultural importance of herding persists in many communities, shaping identity and local economies.