TO THE NAME NGUNI

In recent times there has been a celebration of these domestic animals and the once anonymous occupants of fields and floodplains know have an identity that is admired and respected.

Nguni derives its name from the black tribes of Africa, known as the Nguni people. 

Nguni cattle are descendants of Bos indicus and Bos taurus, two domesticated lines from the now extinct wild European Ox. Bos indicus entered Northern Africa some 8000 years ago and as the Nguni tribes migrated south, so too, they took with them, their Nguni cattle.
 

There is a saying that states, “it’s harsh in Africa”. Anything that survives and breeds has had to evolve specifically for the particular environment it lives within. Nguni are a result of successful breeding in various environments and with different external conditions. They have become hardy, disease resistant and are a prime example of natural selection at work.

Each animal differs from the next; much like a fingerprint is individual to a person, the hide or horn type is different between Ngunis. There is only one of a kind and although there are similarities there is not one that is identical, it gives them a uniqueness, which has know become desirable as a commodity.

Historically Ngunis’ have been measured by their owners from the quality of hide they posses and this along with size determined their value. This value is best translated in a spiritual sense and not only economic. Those with a pure white coat were considered part of Gods royal herd and protected in such a way.

Others are referred to in praise poetry and complicated naming practices that form part of the local communities relationship to these animals. They refer to the Ngunis humorously and affectionately by relating them to the animals, birds and nature they closely resemble. It is in effect the expression of imagination to create individuality amongst the herd.
 

Interestingly, Shaka, King of the Zulus, who was a brilliant strategist and leader, used the hides of the Nguni to differentiate his regiments by covering their large shields with Nguni hide. Ngunis have been depicted through Bushman paintings and their hides are what the artist has etched into the rock face that they are drawing on.

African communities and the enormous cultural diversity have been born by the success of the herd, for if the herd succeeds or survives it will ultimately become the cultures success. Ngunis and the herd are like a bank account for the owner and it is a measure of wealth. In courting rights the wife has lobolo paid in the form of Ngunis. This is a form of security for the father of the bride that his daughter will be looked after, as the husband has had to make a significant financial contribution.

In many ways, they have contributed to the Africa we live in today. It is with this in mind that we must remember Ngunis. The ability to lose the Nguni way of life may become a possibility as the younger generation move to cities and forget their ancestral way of life. In the past communities have been restricted and therefore remained agriculturally based meaning that Nguni was the only way. Progress is inevitable and the restraints that hold them back have been broken. But, whilst we are tending to our dreams of tomorrow we must let the Nguni be a constant reminder of the struggle and the success of Africa and its adaptiveness to circumstances that are fluid and ever changing. The Nguni will still be in the fields and floodplains when our dreams of tomorrow have been accomplished and we are left searching for the security and warmth of the herds on the plains.