ABSTRACT
After describing and analysing the variety of natural, demographic and economic situations that divide the Sahel-Sudanian zone, our discussion will now focus on a new axis of differentiation that describes the exploitation of land and its resources by Sahelian societies. Here also, diversity is clearly evident, but beyond merely taking note of this fact, we must try to order the mosaic of individual situations. This can only be accomplished by a progressive approach, beginning with a categorisation that is necessarily static and reductionist, and then slowly introducing nuance and movement.
