Peul-Peul
Peul-Peul
The Peul-Peul or Fulani (Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758) is a breed from Senegal bred for meat production.
Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Animalia,
Phylum Chordata,
Mammalia class,
Order Artiodactyla,
Suborder Ruminantia,
Bovidae family,
Subfamily Caprinae,
Genus Ovis,
Species O. aries,
Peul-Peul breed.
Geographical and Areal Distribution –
The Peul-Peul sheep or Senegalese Fulani is a local sheep breed in Senegal, particularly in the Djolof region, raised mainly for its meat. It is part of the fine-haired sheep group and more particularly of the African long-legged type. It is one of the four main sheep breeds in the country and is the most widespread.
Origins and History –
The Peul-Peul is a Senegalese sheep breed also known by the names: mouton Peul-Peul, mouton Peul sénégalais, Fulani.
This sheep originates from the Fulani sheep raised by the Fulani people (a nomadic West African ethnic group, dedicated to pastoralism and trade) and spread throughout West Africa. The sheep adapted to the various regions and gave rise to various local breeds, variations of the Fulani sheep. In Senegal, the Djolof region is considered the cradle of the local breed. It is sometimes called Sahel sheep, Ful funi or, indeed, Fulani.
Furthermore, among other Fulani sheep we find the Toronké in Sudan, the Bali-Bali in Niger and Mali and the Sambourou among the Fulani tribes of the Sahel.
Morphology –
The Peul-Peul is a medium-sized sheep, with a flat forehead and short hair, with a very variable coat color, although bicolor black and white animals are the most common while those of a uniform color are rather rare.
The ears are hanging, about 12 – 13 cm and sometimes there are pendants at neck level.
Males weigh up to 80 kg and females up to 40 kg.
At one year the animals weigh between 25 and 29 kg.
The ram has horns that can reach 30 cm. Sheep can also have horns but they are small and thin, and do not exceed 10 cm.
Productive attitude –
The Peul-Peul is a Sahelian sheep breed highly adapted to the semi-arid climate and drought. She is a good walker who can make long journeys during transhumance. It is bred extensively in large herds managed mainly by Fulani herders but also by Wolof and Sereres.
It has tender and tasty meat and is an important source of protein for rural populations.
The breed cannot be used for milk production because sheep production is very low; approximately 0.25 liters per day. The little milk resulting from milking is intended for private consumption, within the family. The ewe gives birth to one or two lambs, never three.
These sheep play a very important socio-cultural role during Tabaski (sacrifice festival, known in West Africa, which has the mutton as its undisputed protagonist, which will be sacrificed by each family and will be the basis of the ritual lunch with which the celebration culminates.) .
More than 500,000 sheep are sacrificed every year in Senegal. The animal is a symbol of the buyer’s social and economic status, so his choice is very important.
Between this breed and the Touabire we obtain the Waralé, a Senegalese sheep breed resulting from crossbreeding.
The Peul-Peul is mainly bred for meat production.
Guido Bissanti
Sources-
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Balasini Dialma, 2001. Applied zootechnics. Sheep and goats. Sheep and goats. For technical and professional institutes, Caledrini Edagricole, Bologna.
– Daniele Bigi, Alessio Zanon, 2010. Atlas of native breeds. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs raised in Italy, Edagricole-New Business Media, Bologna.
Photo source:
– https://www.agraria.org/ovini/peul-peul.htm