Mashona cattle, on the other hand, can trace their origins to the Shona people of eastern Zimbabwe and are categorized as a Sanga type. These cattle are raised across a vast expanse that encompasses much of the eastern half of Zimbabwe and an adjacent area of Mozambique, which is free from the tsetse fly. The primary purpose of breeding this particular breed is for meat production, and they are noted for their amiable temperament, making them suitable as working animals. In 1954, a herd book was established after a decade of selective breeding, focusing on beef production and the development of polled (hornless) individuals. The majority of Mashona cattle are typically black or red in color, and a significant portion of them exhibit polled traits.
As Nguni people journeyed further south into Africa, they brought their cattle along with them. Over time, through a process of careful selection and interactions with their environment, Nguni cattle evolved into the well-adapted breed we recognize today. Even as the Zulu, Xhosa, and Ndebele people settled in different regions, they cultivated distinctive cattle ecotypes, though all remained fundamentally Nguni in origin.
To delve into the genetic distinctiveness of the Mashona breed compared to other Sanga-type breeds, and specifically, to understand their clustering in relation to the broader Nguni breed, a genomic-level investigation was undertaken.