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Blackbelly color variety of Djallonké

The blackbelly coat color pattern in Djallonké sheep.


The coat color pattern in Djallonké sheep is dominated by the uniform white pattern and the spotted white and brown / fawn pattern in the majority of the regions of its range. Cultural preferences have contributed to the emergence of different color varieties. A strong selection of animals expressing a specific color are bred to meet the livestock market demands; higher price than other coat colors, religious sacrifices or gifts during baptism celebrations and the “Eid El-Kebir” (Tabaski) celebration or for the dowry superstition. Or because some owners or clans are associated with a color variety or simply because of hard selection. The preferences for the coat color of animals differ from one society to another. This diversity for coat color in Djallonké Sheep in West Africa is linked to the choices made by the societies in which these animals are raised. In certain regions (particularly in the East of Cameroon), there are animals with a particular tawny coat with belly and legs colored black, which gives them the name of Blackbelly in English (Vallerand and Branckaert, 1975). This strain is genetically stable and the animals have a more advantageous external appearance. This impression is confirmed by their average weight, which in adult females of this sub-breed exceeds 28 kg (Vallerand and Branckaert, 1975). In Cameroon the Blackbelly sheep is used only for the production of meat, the male can reach 25 to 35kg. Nevertheless, the production of Cameroon's Blackbelly sheep milk is appreciable, ranging from 2.95 to 3.52 liters per week (Manjeli et al., 1991).


The blackbelly variety of Djallonké can also be found in eg; Gabon, Rep.Congo and DR.Congo. But also in other countries of the Djallonké's native range.

Black bellied Djallonké ram in Cameroon.

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