THE ANKOLE LONG HORNED CATTLE

THE PRESTIGIOUS ANKOLE LONG-HORNED CATTLE

Female Ankole long-horned cow

The Ankole Long horned cattle also known as the Ankole-watusi cows is one of the most fancied animals in East Africa and the whole world. They have earned a great deal of international recognition and it's conserved in national zoos in various countries including Pombia safari park in Italy, Malaysia National zoo, etc, and it is listed in Guiness world records book as an animal with the largest horn circumference ever. 

In East Africa, apart from the known local and high breeds like the Fresian, Zebu, Boran, the Ankole long horned cattle continues to take up the position of “Cattle of Kings”. The majestic elegant and wonderful people - animal is rated a self-seeker. It is able to search for water and pastures for itself even amidst no guidance of human nature.

With its endowed long horns, the animal looks beautiful and extraordinary compared to other breeds, including the European breeds that recently have been introduced in Africa. Described mainly from its dark brown coat and long white horns that curve outwards then up, forming the shape of a lyre, the Ankole cattle is indeed a formidable gift to the natives in the African society.

The respectable Ankole long horned cattle majorly provides both meat and milk. In community, it gives opportunity of exploitation of more of its existence to support commercialization, food production among others.

From its large distinctive horns, that can reach up to 8ft (2.4m) from tip to tip are used for defense and cooling by honeycombs of blood vessels a case in point to why they are labelled strong and protectors of other animals in a herd especially where the male Ankole cattle are present.

With weight of about 900 to 1,600 pounds (410 to 730 kg), the Ankole cattle provide sweet healthy milk if well fed and catered for to keep healthy. The Ankole horns are much wanted for value addition a case in point where beads, buttons and other products are made from them thus provision of money to owners of these cattle.

The Ankole long horned cattle are people friendly and therefore live with people, in the savannas and open grasslands, as they continue to get grazed on a diet that consists of grass and leaves.

Though reported one time to be at the verge of extinction, the cows have been massively conserved and can be seen in many parts of the country during a cultural safari in Uganda.

The Ankole long horned catted in East African can mainly be found in Uganda especially in the western region adopted by the Bahima in Ankole, Basongola in Kasese, Batuku and some parts of Rwanda where its adopted by the Tutsi.

Also used as a cultural incentive, the Ankole long horned cattle work as bride price and prestige; in Ankole the more cows one has, the richer they are rated. More to this is its sacred role in the communities that depend on it. It is a maternal figure, a currency and a gift as it continues to strengthen social relationships.

Ankole long horned cattle ghee if prepared well, provides people with the delicious “Eshabwe” now a favorite local cuisine prepared traditionally from ghee, roasted meat, and other ingredients like onions, tomatoes, salt, etc.  

To have a sight of the Ankole long horned cattle, make  a Uganda Safari to experience culture and heritage plus enjoy the products of this most precious and endowed domestic animals in East Africa.