Karakul Sheep

The Karakul (or Qaraqul) sheep was once deemed Namibia’s ‘black diamond’. This broad-tailed, long-haired sheep originated in Central Asia. It got its name from the village of Karakul in West Turkistan.

The breed is known for its hardiness and ability to thrive under adverse conditions. It is this ability that allows the Karakul sheep to survive in the southern regions of Namibia with scant, mostly desert vegetation.

The Karakul may just be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated sheep. Archaeological evidence indicates the breed existed as early as 1 400 BC.

Karakul sheep are known for the uniquely patterned pelts of their offspring, for which the young lambs are slaughtered within 24 hours of birth. Karakul sheep are known for storing fat in their tails. It is this fat that allows them to survive harsh conditions and make them popular among some consumers. Further Karakul products include wool, meat and milk.

Small stock farming in southern Namibia dates back more than 1 000 years. Prior to the establishment of permanent farms with boreholes and fences, a little more than 100 years ago, nomads moved their homes and livestock between seasonal water sources and grazing.

Germany first imported Karakul sheep from central Asia in 1903. Four years later, the first consignment of 12 Karakul sheep arrived in colonial German South West Africa.

In 1909, a second consignment of 23 Karakul rams and 251 ewes arrived and Namibia’s young Karakul industry gained serious traction in the southern farming regions of the country.

From very early on, the Namibian Karakul industry focused on producing quality pelts. Intensive research and strategic breeding programmes resulted in pelts with short hair, exceptional patterns and better hair texture. This is unique to Namibian Karakul. So much so that in 2012, the Namibian authorities granted permission for the Karakul breed name to change to Swakara (coined from South West Africa Karakul). In doing so, the industry asked for recognition of the significant differences between the pelts of the Namibian lambs, and those of other Karakul origins. Furthermore, genome sequencing is under way to prove genetic differences between the Namibian Swakara and other Karakul breeds. These steps are necessary to allow international protection of the Namibian Swakara sheep breed.

The 60s and 70s were the golden years for Karakul farming in Namibia. By 1970, nearly 40% of the 4,4 million sheep in Namibia was Karakul, and in 1979, Namibia exported nearly five million pelts to Europe.

All this changed during the 80s. For a variety of reasons that included global anti-cruelty campaigns, the international market for Karakul pelts collapsed almost completely. Local sheep farmers switched from Karakul to Dorper and converted from pelt and mutton producers to mutton alone.

In 2004, for example, only 8% of all sheep and 4% of all small stock in Namibia was Karakul. Dorper sheep now account for more than 80% of all sheep.

The Karakul industry has made a comeback since the collapse of the 80s. Among the steps taken was the implementation of an industry code of practice that promotes the welfare of Swakara sheep and a strict code of conduct that sets out ethical parameters for the humane treatment of the breed and the methods of farming them. Among these guidelines are requirements for regular animal health inspections and euthanasia of lambs to reduce stress and pain.

Of late, the government has encouraged some communal farmers to incorporate Karakul as pelt prices are rising. In addition, Karakul has high levels of resistance to parasites and requires much less maintenance. The government further supports newly emerging Swakara farmers with extension services and training conducted by the Gellap-Ost Research Station outside Keetmanshoop.

According to government, Swakara sheep total about 250 000 or 10% of the national sheep stock. Namibia only produces an average of about 140 000 pelts a year. The future of the Swakara industry continues to be a source of concern.

For starters, climate change remains a serious problem for all pastoralists in Namibia. One source argues: “Global climate modelling suggests that by 2080, Namibia’s temperatures will have increased by some 3°C and rainfall decreased by 5% to 20%. Our results suggest that gradual change in climate over the next 70 years will see the potential national value of livestock income halved and that of tourism income reduced by one quarter”.

Furthermore, with the conversion to Dorper sheep since the 80s, much-needed knowledge and skills on Karakul farming have been lost. It will be difficult to replace.

Despite attempts by the National Swakara Wool Innovation Campaign to promote the commercial use of Swakara wool, the marketing of this by-product remains a major problem.

Unlike the pelts, Swakara meat is not promoted locally or internationally as a branded product. It is not clear at this point whether this is considered a viable option from a branding perspective.

As a nation, we should be concerned that something unique to us might disappear sometime in the not-too-distant future. The current drought may help speed up that process.

Have you done anything lately to help promote this unique breed of sheep that has contributed so much to farming in this country?

• 1 leg of lamb, bone in,

about 2kg

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 tablespoon sea salt

• 1 pinch sweet paprika

• 2 tablespoons lemon thyme

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