Breeds of Terekeka and the Mundari camps
Cattle camps on the Nile north of Juba, where Mundari herders keep tall, long-horned cattle in clouds of smoke.
Breeds of this place
Best time: December to April, the dry season, when camps are by the river.
Terekeka lies on the White Nile north of Juba, in the land of the Mundari people. Their cattle camps, with hundreds of long-horned animals tethered to pegs among dung fires, have become known around the world through photographs. The cattle are central to Mundari life, and herders sleep beside them to guard them.
Life in the camp
Each morning the cattle are untied and taken out to graze, and each evening they come back to the camp, where they are tethered and fires of dried dung are lit. The smoke keeps away flies and mosquitoes, and fine ash is rubbed onto the cattle's skin and on the herders themselves. Calves are kept close and fed by hand. Herders know each animal by name and lineage.
Wealth and protection
Cattle are the main form of wealth, given in marriage and kept as security. Because raiding has long been a danger in the region, herds are guarded day and night. The Mundari cattle are a sanga type, tall and long-horned, often white or pale, prized for their size and horns.
A trail idea for Terekeka and the Mundari camps
- Terekeka The town on the Nile at the heart of Mundari country.
- A cattle camp Visit with a local guide and the herders' permission.
- Juba South Sudan's capital, a short drive to the south.
Written by the EveryCow desk with AI assistance. Background: "Mundari people" on Wikipedia. Fair dates, markets and visiting rules change; check locally before travelling, and keep a respectful distance from working animals. If something is wrong, tell us.
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