The Nguni (a type of breed of cattle) is unique to southern Africa. A hybrid of a number of Indian and later European cattle breeds, they were introduced by Bantu-speaking tribes to southern Africa during their migration from the north of the continent. They are characterised by their multicoloured skin, which can present in many different patterns, and colours – such as white, brown, golden yellow, black, dappled, or spotty, but their noses are always black-tipped.

The ancestors of Nguni cattle were brought down by the Nguni people, who are the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi people, during their migration to southern Africa between 600 and 1400 AD. Since then, these animals have played a vital social and economic role in the development of these societies and are used as a bride’s dowry. The number of animals held by a village or individual will determine much of their importance and wealth within the society. King Shaka of the Zulus understood this cultural and economic importance and seized control of the Nguni herds in his sovereignty during his reign as king of the isiZulu. Shaka also bred the Ngunis according to colour patterns to produce hides for the several regiments of his army. His elite personal guard was recognised by pure white, from animals of the royal herd, the inyonikayiphumuli.

I spent many years in the Middle East painting desert landscapes with camels, so when I returned home everyone asked me if I was now going to start painting the hippos found in the estuary and town in which we live.  Painting hippos didn’t really appeal to me, but the Nguni cattle did and seeing that I am now living in Zululand where Shaka ruled it is an apt choice.

This is a first attempt.  Initially I started with a broad paint brush, but soon abandoned that idea for my palette knife, which allowed for the application of lovely thick impasto paint.  I also kept it to a very limited palette to add a little drama to the painting. I don’t have much experience with painting with a palette knife, but for this subject matter, and for something this size I figured it wouldn’t be much different to icing a cake. Just the eye required a smaller diamond shaped palette knife.

Stretched canvas 90cm X 90cm

Paint colours:

• Raw umber
• Black
• White
• Grey N8
• Grey N4