Raya cattle
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Country of originEthiopia
Distributioneastern margin of the north Ethiopian highlands
UseDraught, meat, milk (in that order)
Coatred, black
 Raya oxen at ploughing near Mekelle | |
| Country of origin | Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Distribution | eastern margin of the north Ethiopian highlands |
| Use | Draught, meat, milk (in that order) |
| Traits | |
| Coat | red, black |
| Horn status | long |
| |
The long-horned Raya cattle are a breed of cattle common in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia.[1][2] The Raya cattle have red and black coat colours. Bulls and oxen have thick and long horns and a cervicothoracic hump; cows have medium, thin horns. Raya cattle are closely related to the Afar cattle; this is a result of historical cattle raiding by the Raya people. The Raya cattle are however adapted to draught animals for tillage in the croplands of the highlands.[1]
Origin of the cattle breed
Ethiopia has been at a crossroads for cattle immigration to Africa[3][4] due to
- proximity to the geographical entry of Indian and Arabian zebu
- proximity to Near-Eastern and European taurine
- introgression with West African taurine due to pastoralism
Furthermore, the diverse agro-ecology led to diverse farming systems which, in turn, made Ethiopia a centre of secondary diversification[3] for livestock :
- The Sanga cattle (including the Raya breed) originated in Ethiopia. They are a major bovine group in Africa – a cross-breeding of local long-horned taurines and Arabian zebus[4]
- The Zenga (Zebu-Sanga) breeds, which resulted from a second introduction and crossing with Indian zebu[4]