Sanga cattle
Encyclopedia
Sanga cattle is the collective name for indigenous cattle
of South Africa. They are sometimes identified as a subspecies with the scientific name Bos taurus africanus. These cattle originated in East Africa, probably western Ethiopia, and have spread west and south. Sanga are an intermediate type, formed by hybridizing the indigenous humpless cattle with Zebu
cattle brought from Asia. although the timeline for their history is the subject of extensive debate. Some authors date Sanga cattle to 1600 B.C. They are distinguished by having small cervico-thoracic humps instead of the high thoracic humps which characterize the Zebu.
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
of South Africa. They are sometimes identified as a subspecies with the scientific name Bos taurus africanus. These cattle originated in East Africa, probably western Ethiopia, and have spread west and south. Sanga are an intermediate type, formed by hybridizing the indigenous humpless cattle with Zebu
Zebu
Zebu , sometimes known as humped cattle, indicus cattle, Cebu or Brahmin cattle are a type of domestic cattle originating in South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent. They are characterised by a fatty hump on their shoulders, drooping ears and a large dewlap...
cattle brought from Asia. although the timeline for their history is the subject of extensive debate. Some authors date Sanga cattle to 1600 B.C. They are distinguished by having small cervico-thoracic humps instead of the high thoracic humps which characterize the Zebu.
Breeds of Sanga Cattle
- AnkoleAnkole-Watusi (cattle)The Ankole-Watusi is a breed of cattle originally native to Africa. Its large, distinctive horns, that can reach up to from tip to tip, are used for defense. Ankole-Watusis weigh from . Living in the savannas and open grasslands, their diet consists of grass and leaves...
- BonsmaraBonsmaraThe Bonsmara is a cross breed of cattle known for its high quality beef. Originating in South Africa as a scientific experiment of professor Jan Bonsma, the Bonsmara was created after many criss-cross matings consisting of 5/8 Afrikaner , 3/16 Hereford and 3/16 Shorthorn animals .-External...
(a breed developed in the 1940s in South Africa) - NguniNguni cattleThe Nguni cattle breed is indigenous to southern Africa. A hybrid of indigenous and Indian cattle they were introduced by the Bantu tribes of southern Africa from the north of the continent...
- Red FulaniRed Fulani cattleRed Fulani cattle are found from Mali across Niger and northern Nigeria to Chad and Cameroon.-Characteristics:They are reddish-brown in colour with long lyre shaped horns, and of the Sanga type, intermediate between Zebu and humpless cattle, with cervico-thoracic humps, though they appear more Zebu...
- TuliTuli (cattle)Tuli is the name of a beef cattle breed that originated from Zimbabwe. It is a form of Sanga cattle closely related to the Tswana breed from Botswana. Tuli cattle have a small thoraco-cervical hump and are uni-coloured: yellow, golden-brown or red...
- TswanaTswana (cattle)Tswana is an indigenous beef cattle breed of Botswana. It is a Sanga type, similar to Barotse and Tuli. Its colour is plain black or multi coloured: usually red pied, and rarely black pied. The breed can also be found in South Africa. Animals of this breed are well adapted to hot, dry environments...
- AfrikanderAfrikaner cattleAfrikaner cattle are a hardy breed of beef cattle which are popular in South Africa. In Afrikaans, this breed is called Afrikanerbees.The Afrikaner is a native South African breed, belonging to the Sanga type...