To simple people like me, cattle are just another delicious source of food. To others, cattle are considered sacred and held as symbols of strength and wealth. Shaka, king of the Zulus, would often breed his Nguni cattle to create different patterned skins for the various regiments in his army.

South African photographer Daniel Naudé has been interested in the role cattle play in societies and over the past few years has photographed the most majectic cows and bulls that you ever did see. Naudé focussed his attention on the Ankole, Zebu, and Brahman breeds native to the countries of respective countries of Uganda, India, and Madagascar. Have a look at some of his photos after the jump.

Ankole in Uganda

Zebu in Madagascar

Mattu Pongal cattle market, India

If you’d like to see these photos (and more) in person, Naudé’s exhibition, Sightings of the Sacred: Cattle in India, Uganda, and Madagascar is on at the Stevenson gallery in Cape Town from until May 24th. Find more details at on the gallery’s exhibition page.

[via 6000]