Karakul (Swakara) basics

The Karakul is believed to be one of the oldest breeds of domesticated sheep in the world.

Originating on the steppes of Turkistan, this broad-tailed sheep gradually spread to other regions of Central Asia. The breed is named after the Qorako’l village, which lies in present-day Uzbekistan.

On 24 September 1907, the first 12 sheep, including two rams and 10 ewes, arrived by freighter at Swakopmund in German South West Africa (now Namibia), which at that time had a harbour. The sheep were imported by the German government.

From there, the breed spread to the Northern Cape and surrounding areas.

Indigenous sheep breeds such as the Blackhead Persian and the Namaqua Afrikaner were especially suitable for the upgrading of the Karakul. The numbers of Karakul increased rapidly, reaching a peak of more than five million in Namibia and South Africa in 1979.

The local industry took a hit in the late 1970s, with production dropping from

3,4 million pelts per year in 1970 to just 56 600 in 1997. Pelt numbers slowly increased after 1997, and annual production now stands at approximately 140 000 pelts a year.

Description

The grown sheep are mediumsized; their wool is a mixture of coarse and fine fibres, varying in colour from black to shades of tan and grey.

Karakul sheep have a wide, fat tail. The head is long and narrow, slightly indented between the eyes, and often exhibiting a Roman nose. The long ears always point down and slightly forward. Most rams have horns, while females are polled.

The Karakul is distinguished by its coloured fleece, which is due to a dominant black gene.

Most lambs are born coal black with lustrous wavy curls and with the face, ears and legs usually showing smooth, sleek hair. As the lambs grow, the curls open and the colour generally begins to turn brownish or bluish grey, becoming greyer with age. Many adults have a fine down undercoat, covered by a coat of guard hair.

In Southern Africa, Karakul breeders moved away from the long, curly type of hair seen in the Asian Karakul. The Southern African Karakul has high-quality, short and strong hair with a sought-after character (‘character’ refers to the wavy pattern of the hair and the spacing of the waves).

Because of the significant differences between the pelts of Asian Karakul lambs and those of Southern African lambs, the local industry has renamed and re-branded the breed. Karakul pelts from South Africa and Namibia are marketed as Swakara (derived from ‘South West

Africa Karakul’). In April 2013, Namibian authorities granted permission for the Karakul breed name to change to Swakara.

Production norms

Karakuls breed out of season, making it possible for three lamb crops every two years. Single lambs are the rule, although twins are not uncommon. The ram weighs between 80kg and 100kg, while the ewe ranges from 45kg to 70kg.

The meat is particularly lean, and the breed’s abundant milk supply is used for butter and cheese in some countries.

The wool of adult sheep is used for making carpets and other heavy fabrics. The Karakul produces a lightweight, highvolume, strong-fibre fleece that at its best is long and lustrous, usually with no crimp.

• Source: Snyman, MA. 2014. ‘South African sheep breeds: Karakul sheep’. Info-pack ref. 2014/019, Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute.

JEAN ABOVE: The Karakul sheep, also known as Swakara in Southern Africa, has a broad tail, a long, narrow head, and coloured fleece. The female Karakul is usually polled.