The N'Dama breed is the most representative "Bos Taurus" breed in West
Africa. The origin of this breed is located in the Fouta-Djallon highlands
of Guinea (Conakry). From there the N'Dama has spread in the sudanian
and guinean regions.
Being , it has been used for large scale dissemination
for grazing savannah in Congo, Central Africa, Gabon, Nigeria and Zaire,
especially in the regions infested by the tse-tse fly.
Source: Trypanotolemi cattle and livestock
development in West and Central Africa (Vol-1) FAO; Rome 1987
The N'Dama is a hardy breed, medium size type
(100 cm at shoulder height for cows; 120 cm for bulls) with a large
and strong head and with lyre-shaped horns.
Its skin,with short and thin hair, is fawn colored
but varies from sand to black color, sometimes spotted.
Cows produce only 2 to 3 liters milk per day
during 7 to 8 months. The N'Dama breed is used for meat and the ratio
carcass/liveweight is around 50%. The meat has a very good flavor without
much fat.
Average liveweight for a mature steer varies
between 250 to 300 kg.
In West Africa, to date there are approximately
7 million head of N'Dama.
For the last 65 years, this breed has been developed
in Zaire, where large scale herds have been improved by permanent selection
practices by a private company named "Compagnie J. VAN LANCKEIC' which
owns over 40,000 head of purebred N'Dama.
This company has managed to increase, by selection,
the average liveweight by 30 to 50kg without reducing the breed hardiness.
This company is collaborating with the I.L.R.I. (International Livestock
Research Institute) for an improved genetical analysis and selection
of this breed.
Reference:
Correspondence from Campagnie J. Van Lancker,
Rue Des Drapiers 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, Email: jvl@euronet.be
Mason, I.L. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds.
Third Edition. C.A.B International. 1988
Photographs:
Campagnie J. Van Lancker, Rue Des Drapiers
31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
