Donkeys Work Cultural
Half of the donkeys in Kenya are used in for transport and farming of land. Some of the donkeys used by the pastoralists (pack donkeys) are mainly used for transport purposes especially since they migrate very often. Contributing to the donkey's widespread use is their ability to resist disease common to cattle, they are cheaper to purchase and maintain unlike the oxen.
Some of the reasons contributing to mistreatment are broad. This could include poor nutrition, myths, human abuse and traditional practices and beliefs that don't hold any dignity for them, harnessing systems that are unattainable and not suit for their work.
Harnessing that is inappropriate is the most rampant cause of abuse in relation to the donkeys. This is more so if the harnessing materials used includes rubber bands, thin wires and ropes which are roughly and tightly tied around the donkeys necks.
In addition to this, despite the often use of the yoke (Victory plough) which is what is used for the oxen, there are no modifications prior their use by the donkeys. This therefore greatly puts immense pressure on the donkeys due to the additional weight of the yoke putting in mind that the oxen can be able to carry the extra weight of the yoke. This is not the case for the donkeys.
In terms of malnutrition, what the donkeys usually suffer from is Cachexic. This refers to a condition that an animal usually exhibits when it is inappropriately fed due to internal complications thereby affecting its digestive system. It is only when this condition persists that leads to malnutrition.
When we refer to maltreatment, what we often refer to is the improper care and management by the owner of the donkey. There are cases of abandonment where the owner abandons it when they get an alternative for their transport or when the donkeys get old and become prone to diseases. After a hard days work, the donkey many a times is supposed to fend food and water for itself. To prevent them from escaping or running away, they are more often than not tied to a spot leaving them vulnerable to harsh weather and predators. Donkeys unlike most domesticated animals have a deep survival instinct that warns them of incoming danger. This characteristic is often conceptualised to mean that they out rightly refuse to do what they are told/ stubbornness. If a donkey refuses to move once a rider has mounted on it, what is usually the case is whipping the donkey it bleeds making to flee in self preservation. An extreme case is where it has been known that people jokingly pour petrol on the donkey's rear and watches it run in distress.
Cultural beliefs with regards to the donkey vary from one community to another. In the Kamba community the high levels of mistreatment can be attributed to the myth they hold i.e. the donkey symbolises low social status. Of great intrigue is also their belief that tetanus can be caused due to contact with the donkey droppings. The donkey's characteristic feature that includes biting and kicking is another reason for the cold treatment given. Contrary to what the Kamba community beliefs, the donkey has gained favour in the eyes of the Maasai more so because it is able to resist diseases that greatly affect the cattle, an example being trypanosomias
Solutions
Creating awareness is an important starting point in addressing the various misconceptions and cultural beliefs that disfavour the donkey. In addition, it would help make people aware of the donkey's potential if well handled and taken care of. A good illustration of this is when a demonstration took place in Machakos. Farmers were shown how donkeys could be used for farming other than the common sight of the oxen. There was an outright disbelief because the farmers had never seen this before. We therefore realise if these demonstrations could be made available to other areas in Ukambani Region, the people's perception on the donkeys capabilities could greatly change. On the farmers promise to use the animals for farming, could greatly help deal with the negative perceptions and maltreatment.
Involvement of the Kenyan government supported by other organisations such as KENDAT (Kenya Network for Draught Animal Technology) and KSPCA (Kenya society for Protection and Care of Animals) would help eradicate instances of maltreatment. Not so long ago these two bodies have worked with farmers in Limuru where they introduced an affordable harness. This is mainly made of local materials. It consists of polypropylene bags padded with sheep skin for the breast band, wood with rubber strip for the saddle. This has had its draw backs, where the harness has been found to have too many ropes to harness the donkey and the materials that make it to wear out very quickly.
In relation to the above point, farmers are greatly encouraged to be involvement in the innovations and various technologies tht help address some of the obvious problems they encounter. There involvement could greatly boost their confidence and heir adaptability to the various inventions. The farmers would air their recommendations while researchers could act as facilitators.
Free treatment programmes should be made available to the owners of the donkeys. This is the case in Mandera District where donkeys are attended to by qualified veterinaries, where there will also be time to rest while at the same time their owners will be enlightened on the animals' rights in return reaping maximum profits. Also of importance are the farmers to be taught on use of proper harnesses to help reduce rates of bruises, cuts and pain.
On the other hand, the perpetuators of the mistreatment should be held accountable. There are already existing international laws governing the welfare of animals. This therefore doesn't excuse he farmers from mistreating the animals. This therefore translates that farmers should be highly fined or drastic measures taken held against them. This would highly reduce the ever increasing rates of maltreatment of donkeys.
To enhance effective treatment of the donkeys, massive campaigns have to evolve where competition can be set to establish the overall winner who gives adverse and effective treatment to his or her donkey. These campaigns will ensure that the donkeys are well treated without being overloaded with work that is able to diminish their health and working capacity. This on the other had should incorporate the donkeys day where all the said aspects are checked.
Regulation of the working time of the donkeys should also be sought where donkeys work performance time should be regulated.
In this contemporary society the performance of the donkey goes up to eighteen hours a day a factor that reduces the health status of the animal drastically. Strict time measures for example a five to eight hour period should be the standard time of operation for any donkey and unless this time is followed, the law has to be fostered and the transgressors caught.
Work cited
Starkey P, Summary description of the task review.Section of Agricultural production, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya 1995. .
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