Farming

Historical background of the Karakul sheep

Flock of white karakul sheepThe origin of the Karakul lies ensconced in the dim past of Central Asia where nomadic tribes have bred fat-tailed sheep for, amongst others, their fur propensities since time immemorial. From the steppes of Turkestan the karakul gradually spread to other regions of Central Asia and small numbers of pelts found their way along the caravan routes to medieval Europe.

The idea of importing the karakul sheep to Germany and some of her colonies at the time reaches as far back as the year 1902. At the junction the industrialist Paul Thorer, the then chief of his firm at Leipzig, undertook his first major journey to Central Asia. On his return he indicated the economic value of the karakul sheep to the desert areas of Turkestan in a talk. He also raised the question whether it would not be to the advantage of the German colonies to import the karakul sheep thither.

Professor J Kühn, at that juncture Director of the Institute of Stock Breeding at the University of Halle, Germany, who had attended the talk, grasped the idea with enthusiasm, and offered his services to the Thorer Plan. From then on Paul Thorer exerted himself to obtain a small number of pure-bred karakul sheep from Buchara, thus the first sheep arrived in Germany in 1903. These consisted of 4 rams and 28 ewes, and in 1906 a second consignment of 37 sheep arrived in Germany. Contrary to prevailing opinion the experiments conducted by Professor Kühn in 1903 justified the supposition that valuable features which are essential for the fur trade remain intact in the breeding of karakul sheep in territorial conditions which coincide very little with those prevailing in the animals’ country of origin. Pasturage tests on the poor sandy soil of the Lüneburgerheide were very discouraging. Nevertheless it was decided to export karakul sheep to Namibia before the experiments were finally concluded because the climate and the grazing circumstances in the arid regions of Namibia presented a striking resemblance with conditions in Turkestan.

During war operations large numbers of animals died. The losses had to be replenished and the needs of the new settlers had to be met. The German Government was keen to import only well-bred sheep of which the products would fetch good prices and which would ensure a good turnover on the world markets. With this purpose in mind von Lindequist, then Governor of Namibia, who was well aware of the plans of Thorer and the experiments of Professor Kühn, made it possible – with their collaboration – to import karakul sheep to Namibia.

Thus the first consignment of 10 ewes and 3 rams arrived at Swakopmund on 24 September 1907. A month after the arrival of this small unit in Namibia the new Governor von Schuckmann reported to Berlin that the karakul sheep immediately felt at home on the pasturage of Namibia and that he envisaged bright prospects for karakul farming in this country. He pleaded for the purchase of larger numbers of sheep and emphasized that only the best quality should be imported from Buchara. With a view to satisfying this request, the German Government relinquished the intended simultaneous import of Angora goat ewes and reserved the whole budget post for the purchase of breeding stock exclusively for karakul sheep.

After the arrival of more animals, the latter were transferred to the government farm Fürstenwalde in order to provide enough breeding material for private pedigree as well as crossbred herds. The first sales for Fürstenwalde pedigree rams took place during 1910 at an average price of 100 Mark. Further consignment s of karakul sheep, among which were smaller consignments ordered by private breeders, arrived in Namibia. Thus a total of 100 rams, 580 ewes and 140 lambs were imported till the year 1914. The last agricultural census just prior to the war in 1913 showed 335 pedigree rams, 830 pedigree ewes and 21 000 karakul crossbred sheep.

During war operations of the first World War serious losses of valuable animals were sustained, until the commanders-in-chief of the belligerent forces, aware of the value of the livestock of the territory, took effective measures to avoid further losses. The Government herd, which was taken over by the Union authorities, consisted of 80 rams and 360 ewes. In 1916 the military government sold 3 rams and 109 ewes to the South African Agricultural School, Middleburg, Cape. A large part of their progeny was bought back in 1924 and taken up in the stud, which the Mandate Government kept at Neudamm in 1920. The development of this stud is especially ascribed to the merits of A D Thompson. At Middleburg a small flock remained behind and this was the origin of the karakul industry in the Union of South Africa.

Karakul farming played a significant part in the revival of the economy of Namibia after the disruptions during the war and postwar years. As far back as 1918/19 the Government sold pedigree animals to resident farmers in order to rebuild private flocks. In 1919 the farmers themselves founded the Karakul Breeders Association of Namibia. The aim of the Association was the registration of all pedigree animals in the country before studs became too difficult to control owing the further losses or the change of owner. The principles for the breeding of karakul sheep were laid down and as a breeding ideal a pelt with pipe or fixed curls with a blue-black gloss and silky hair would be aimed at. In additions the Association did everything in its power to assist the stud itself as well as private breeders during the difficult postwar years.

Source: “Karakoelteelt in Suidwes-Afrika en die Huis Thorer

“Karakul Breeders Association”