Wealth of nomads – an exploratory analysis of livestock inequality in the Saami reindeer husbandry

This study challenges the prevailing view that livestock-based wealth in pastoral societies inherently limits wealth inequality and hinders the development of complex social structures. Using Norwegian governmental data (2001-2018) on reindeer herding, the research demonstrates that wealth inequality among Saami reindeer herders, while decreasing overall, persists and follows patterns similar to other forms of wealth accumulation. While the Gini coefficient and cumulative wealth showed a decrease in inequality over time, rank stability remained significant, indicating that initial wealth strongly predicts future wealth. Regional differences also emerged, with greater inequality observed in northern Norway compared to the south, possibly linked to differing levels of cooperation and coordination within herding groups.

Marius Warg Næss, Bård-Jørgen Bårdsen