What Is a Nomad, and Are There Any Nomadic Tribes That Still Exist?

Settling down doesn’t fit everyone’s lifestyle. Here are four nomadic tribes you won’t find sitting still for long.

By Allison Futterman
Oct 9, 2023 6:00 PM
Maasai men in the village of Maasai Mara in Kenya on August 12, 2010
(Credit:Amy Nichole Harris/Shutterstock)

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In a world marked by the constant hustle and bustle of urban life, there exist communities that defy the norms of settled existence, embracing a lifestyle that revolves around perpetual movement.

These enigmatic groups, often called nomads, have a rich history of following traditional lifestyles, and many of them still live as nomads all around the world.

What Are Nomads?

Nomads are communities of people who continually move (usually seasonally) rather than live in a permanent settlement.

Experts believe the nomadic lifestyle started approximately 12,000 years ago, and they estimate that currently, there are 30 to 40 million nomads worldwide. 

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