Living with Herds

She examines the social behavior of humans and animals in a contemporary Mongolian herding society. After living with Mongolian herding families, Dr Fijn has observed through firsthand experience both sides of the human-animal relationship. Examining their reciprocal social behavior and communication with one another, she demonstrates how herd animals influence Mongolian herders' lives and how the animals themselves are active partners in the domestication process.

• An in-depth ethnographic account of not only Mongolian herders but this book also includes the lives of their non-human counterparts, Mongolian herd animals, and their co-existence together
• Contains a wealth of original and new ethnography, which is based in Mongolia
• A detailed observational account and interpretation of human-animal relations and social engagement

Part I. Crossing Boundaries: Prologue
1. Introduction
2. A Mongolian etho-ethnography
Part II. The Social Herd:
3. Social spheres
4. Names, symbols, colours and breeding
5. Multi-species enculturation
6. Tameness and control
Part III. Living with Herds:
7. In the land of the horse
8. The cycle of life
9. The domestic and the wild
10. The sacred animal
Conclusion.