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.