An Interpretative Understanding of Transhumance Routes Taken by Gaddi Pastoralists of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

This study examines the transhumance routes of Gaddi shepherds, focusing on how these paths intersect with religio-cultural routes. It also emphasises their significance in shaping the community’s identity and sustaining their shepherding practices throughout the Himalayan landscape. Themes such as traditional customary arrangements between herders and cultivators, grazing alliances among shepherds, and self-allocation of pastures have been explored. Additionally, the study examines labour and logistics in shepherding practices, caste dependencies in shearing, and the impact of state regulations on pastoral systems. This article aims to understand the migratory routes of selected Gaddi shepherds and how they intersect with sacred sites across the Himalayan landscape. It argues that these routes function as cultural-ecological corridors (CECs) that integrate pastoral mobility with ritual practice. An interpretive ethnographic approach is employed to analyse religio-mythological narratives along with the routes connected to sacred sites across different religions. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with Gaddi shepherds and village elders. The findings indicate that routes connecting highlands and lowlands have converged to enable smooth transitions and flexible sociocultural and economic interactions through customary institutions. The findings suggest that contemporary Gaddi migratory routes have emerged through the convergence of multiple CECs, thereby reinforcing the deep integration of pastoral mobility with the sacred landscapes they traverse. The study examines aspects such as migratory distance, seasons, duration and transit halts. Finally, migratory routes are mapped using Google Maps for better comprehension.