Their encounters with the nomadic Nama tribes were largely peaceful. Most herders in Mongolia follow a pattern of nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralism. These were sedentary people whose spread was checked by hostility from nomadic tribes. Akita was a region of hunter-gatherers and principally nomadic tribes. Indigenous Arabs were either nomadic or sedentary. He came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia. This town, inhabited by both nomadic and sedentary people, served as gateway to the steppes. The sport originated from equestrian games played by nomadic Iranian and Turkic peoples. Ancient China often came in contact with the Xianyun and the Xirong nomadic peoples. Because it bordered the desert, Gaza was vulnerable to warring nomadic groups. Tensions were evident between Han settlers and practitioners of the nomadic way of life. Pressure from nomadic empires to the north became increasingly urgent. They depended on nomadic buffalo hunting and agriculture. The First Emperor developed plans to fortify his northern border, to protect against nomadic invasions. Many families were prevented from continuing their nomadic lifestyle.