ABSTRACT

Due to the absence of the tsetse fly and the existence of large areas of pasture and fertile river valleys, bovine cattle have historically been central in the lives of African agro-pastoral societies in southern Mozambique. In the beginning of the twentieth century, Portuguese officials became interested in the expansion of the livestock economy to supply internal and external markets. But various diseases, irregular rainfall, and periodic drought posed numerous challenges. Echoing familiar tropes, colonial officials perceived local animal husbandry practices as backward and uneconomic, and argued that Landim cattle, the indigenous breed, was mostly useless. Debates ensued on whether the Landim breed could be improved or popular imported breeds successfully acclimatised to local conditions. This article discusses the evolution of official livestock policies for southern Mozambique between the 1910s and the 1940s. It investigates the way zootechnical debates concerning cattle improvement were influenced by popular scientific theories, economic aspirations, and a specific regional context, but also by perceptions of African and exotic breeds and attitudes towards the local environment. The article sheds light on how Africans, the main cattle owners in the region, responded in significant ways to these developments.

摘要

由于采采蝇的消失以及大面积牧场和肥沃河谷的存在，牛在历史上一直是莫桑比克南部非洲农牧社会生活的中心。二十世纪初，葡萄牙官员开始对扩大畜牧业经济以供应国内外市场产生兴趣。但各种疾病、不规律的降雨和周期性的干旱带来了许多挑战。殖民地官员呼应熟悉的比喻，认为当地的畜牧业做法落后且不经济，并争辩说本地品种 Landim 牛大多无用。随之而来的争论是 Landim 品种是否可以改进或受欢迎的进口品种成功地适应当地条件。本文讨论了 1910 年代至 1940 年代莫桑比克南部官方畜牧业政策的演变。它调查了关于牛改良的畜牧技术辩论如何受到流行科学理论、经济愿望和特定区域背景的影响，但也受到对非洲和外来品种的看法以及对当地环境的态度的影响。这篇文章阐明了作为该地区主要养牛者的非洲人如何以重要方式应对这些事态发展。但也取决于对非洲和外来品种的看法以及对当地环境的态度。这篇文章阐明了作为该地区主要养牛者的非洲人如何以重要方式应对这些事态发展。但也取决于对非洲和外来品种的看法以及对当地环境的态度。这篇文章阐明了作为该地区主要养牛者的非洲人如何以重要方式应对这些事态发展。