The ancient origins of the new nomads

Nomadic communities were seen as inferior or less developed than passive ones. This has led to discrimination with violent consequences.

Not too long ago, we used to see a nomad as the hobo or gipsy. But a massive shift is taking place where nomadism has become a status symbol.

In many US stories, the nomadic hero is reimagined as a cowboy, pioneer or settler.

In the twentieth-century classics such as Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, the nomad is seen as the enlightened rebel who won't reform to urbanised life. There is a rejection of the traditional family and a focus on the individuals' liberty while searching for inward meaning. In Kerouac's world, a hunger for life and new experiences are vital for liberation.

In the 21st Century, nomadism is increasingly associated with minimalism, self-reliance, liberty, and self-discovery. The idea of leaving your home behind and pursuing an adventure on the road feels more reachable and less like a kind of homelessness. It is seen as a luxury.

But pursuing a non-sedentary lifestyle requires sacrifice and the reality of things such as a cold outdoor shower or emptying portable toilets. The purpose is no longer migration but embracing and exploring new places and people.