Difference between Nomadic and Sedentary

You probably already know the differences between nomads and sedentary people, but here we will show you other key aspects that divide both groups. And as is well known, our universal history has run between these two foci.  Difference between Nomadic and Sedentary

Currently there are still people who are part of these groups, but obviously the number of the first group (nomads) is much lower. But before showing these differences, we are going to define what they really are.

What are nomads? Difference between Nomadic and Sedentary

The term nomad means ” the one who leaves the flocks in the pastures “, which comes from the Greek word used to refer to the peoples of North Africa (Numidians), who had this way of life.

Both in Africa and Asia, nomadic peoples were one of the most common and known populations for millennia (with the exception of Egypt and China), the latter were sedentary.

Nomads are characterized not only by constantly traveling and changing places, but also by being populations of gatherer-hunters. And in many cases they practice grazing.

In Europe, a very famous people in the Middle Ages were the gypsies , who created a whole culture and identity between the dominant kingdoms of the old continent, although this was worth a lot of ethnic ostracism (rejection).

Nomads should not be confused with “migrants”, the latter change places in a certain period for very specific reasons. In addition to that they do not move constantly, but instead, they look for a certain place.

Nomads are always on the move until the area’s resources are depleted, then they travel and settle in a new territory. 

What are sedentary?

The antithesis of nomadism is sedentarism, and it is the main reason why all the great civilizations in history became what we know today, creating their own identity and wealth.

The sedentary settle in a specific place, and from there they grow in number of members while they expand and evolve to perfect their survival mode.

This process explains the origin of the great civilizations, as well as their downfall, once the resources ran out, or because their society simply stopped advancing technologically and they succumbed to others.

A sedentary lifestyle helps to shape a strong and very identitarian society, but which over time becomes more complex and varied. Something completely opposite to nomads, who are more homogeneous.

The sedentary people specialized in construction, agriculture, and animal husbandry, which gave them a long-term advantage. Today our world is mainly made up of this group.

Nomads vs Sedentary: main differences Difference between Nomadic and Sedentary

• Nomads usually travel from one place to another, therefore, their stay in the same territory is temporary. The sedentary ones, for their part, settle on a single piece of land where they begin to build and grow.
• The sedentary have greater ethnic diversity, having mixed with other civilizations. On the other hand, nomads, although they interact with other cultures, their lineage remains homogeneous.
• Nomads specialize in fishing, gathering, and hunting. The sedentary are characterized by construction, agriculture and animal husbandry.