5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[HGG02-P02] Pig Nomadism in Bangladesh: Exploring the Construction of a Deltaic Geography-.
Keywords:delta, nomadism, pig, geography
The lower reaches of the world's rivers are known for their extensive deltas. Tropical monsoon Asia, in particular, has many deltas, including the Mekong, Chao Phraya, Irrawaddy, and Ganges deltas. In the geography of the deltas of tropical Asia, attention has often focused on paddy rice cultivation activities because rice is the staple food of many cultures in the region. Here, however, the author focuses on pig breeding in the Bengal Delta of Bangladesh, where the majority of the country's land area is covered by deltas. The author set up a study area in the northern part of the country and conducted a survey on the location and herd movements of several pig herds in December 2024. The results showed that during this period, the herds were grazing in the delta after the harvest, and in the hills leading to the delta and in areas close to the regular city. In addition, spilled rice grains from post-harvest paddy fields and semi-cultivated taro stalks growing wild along the paddy banks were found to be important food resources for the pigs. In light of these examples, we will discuss the natural and cultural conditions under which pig nomadism in the delta is established, unlike camel and goat nomadism in arid regions. We will then discuss a framework for constructing a geography of the delta from the perspective of migratory creatures and people.