Nguni Cattle Hides

Genuine African Nguni cattle hides make a beautiful item of home decoration and will serve as a long-lasting souvenir of a great African safari.

The Nguni cattle breed is indigenous to southern Africa. A hybrid of indigenous and Indian cattle they were introduced by the black African tribes of southern Africa from the north of the continent.

They are characterised by the multi-coloured skin, which can present many different patterns, but their noses are always black-tipped. The more dominant colours are black, white, brown and in less common instances, a combination of all three or dun (also known as yellow).

The Nguni was originally used for beef and dairy production and as a draft animal. Today it is becoming increasingly popular as a beef breed.

The Nguni cow breed is a result shaped by natural selection in the African environment for thousands of years.

Nguni skins are highly functional and are mostly used as floor rugs. They are decorative and easy to maintain and are now being used for upholstering furniture, ottomans, cushions, patchwork mats, hand bags and clothing.

The skins are roughly 1.8m x 1.5m and are chrome tanned.

All skins are top grade genuine African nguni.

The Nguni hides sold here come directly from tanneries and communications can take some time. Numbers of hides in stock vary and particular colour combinations may be unavailable. Your patience would be much appreciated when enquiring about purchasing an nguni hide.

Characteristics Of Nguni Cattle Hides

Scratches and scars: Caused by trees, thorn bushes and barbed wire. These scars are normal and natural and they don't affect the quality or the lifespan of the product. The less scars the hides show, the higher its value.

Patches: Although the hides are skinned by machine at the abattoirs they may still get cut. After tanning they are repaired with patches of the same hide.

Cattle brands: are compulsory by law as a means of identification.