Résumé
Maasai pastoralists face numerous constraints that compel them to diversify their livelihoods and, at times, migrate without their livestock. This paper focuses on such migrations undertaken by young Maasai men living in the Amboseli region of Kenya. The primary objective is to identify key migration patterns-namely, destinations, activities conducted, and the sequences of migration events. Fieldwork conducted in 2023 gathered information from 162 individuals who collectively undertook 445 migrations. Sequence and graph-based analyses were employed to explore these patterns and revealed key geographic hubs (e.g., Nairobi region and coastal areas), functional roles of locations (transit points versus places of residence), and typical migration trajectories. The analysis of graphs revealed three distinct forms: (i) one-way migrations, (ii) direct return trips, and (iii) circular migration patterns. A particularly noteworthy finding is the high frequency of return migrations among these individuals. Another important finding is the enduring attachment to the place of origin and pastoralism, maintained throughout migration trajectories and reinforced through remittances. This continued connection helps explain the high rate of return. Therefore, migration-far from alienating individuals from pastoralism-appears to serve as an instrumental means of sustaining it and eventually resuming it upon return.