MAN'S FRIEND THE OX

Cue (NZERS), Issue 28, 31 July 1945, Page 37

MAN'S FRIEND THE OX

TN New Zealand where there are • large herds cf dairy cattle of many breeds, the cow is regarded as a some., what dull-witted but necessary animal useful for producing butter, > milk, cream and beef, and the bull as an equally necessary animal but one apt to be very troublesome to the picnicker, the angler, and the roompicker. Dogs and horses' are ranked high in a New Zealander’s regard, but the cow has,, remained in a lowly position. -

- Not so in many other' lands. ' The ox has a proud and noble lineage, and is today regarded in many countries as a sacred beast to be treated with respect and affection. -The reason for this high standing is understandable when the history of the ox is examined —a - history that dates back many thousands of years and embraces many ancient civilisations. ’ . ’

. Almost- wherever man has- gone he has been, accompanied by his friend the ox. Not only has the ox provided him with food and-with means of .transport and labour, but he has filled a place in many erf his religions. The .favourite decoration of the harps of Ur, home of Abraham, was the head of a cow or bull. These harps were laid alongside the rulers in their last sleep so that when they .woke in their new ’life they could play on their own harps.

With this thought in mind the Chaldees' garnished the instruments with' precious stones and metals—bearded bulls in gold, the cows in silver. It is recorded -'that one queen.; Shub-ad, wore lapis amulets carved in the shape of a calf, and on her diadem of soft white leather were sewn ’’exquisitely fashioned gold animals, stags, gazelles, bulls, and goats’’. Near her bier stood a guardian silver cow’s head, and alongside were cockleshells that contained her face-paint,, which goes to show that women have. not changed greatly through the centuries.-' ' . .

v The temples of Ur, recently unearthed, showed the high position the ox had attained in that ancient world. .Among the interesting relies unearthed were four-wheeled wagons with three oxen harnessed to each. The harnesses are enriched with lapis an|d silver beads and the silver rein-, rings bear . the lucky' bull symbol.. Incidentally, the wooden wagon wheels had’ leather tyres, anticipating our travel on rubber by several thousand years. Attached to thetemples were sacred farms. Milk was ‘regarded as a royal drink, and the priests took a pride in their cows, keeping the beasts’ Coats smooth and glossy. _

Neighbouring countries (also adopted the ox as a sacred beast. At Baalbek in (Syria-bulls became sacred to the

■Sun Hod the Persians developed the idea by giving "XXputttag Assyria went even further t>y P £ * huJan heads on its winged Egypt followed suit m making » m<i •.the COW. The F« r P tians .X n Hathot ‘their favourite female deit. , > with cow’s horns and sometime. * •we're a cow’s head.

The cow occupied pride of place in many Egyptian ceremonies Vndi; ith ~ November moon, a gilded , heifer, with a golden sun between ito horns, was at one time carried seyn ; times round the temple of Isis, goddess of agriculture, while _ ■ the people chanted and played' their triangular lyres and the Nile slid by in the moon, light. Again at the sowing time, in . January, a quaint ceremony in which oxen played an important part was •held to bless the harvest. Two black oxen were yoked to a plough of tamarisk wood and were driven back and forth across the fallow’ land, while in their wake walked a barefooted boy scattering seed, symbolising the unity of man, beast and earth.

Further east, in India, the ox family was revered above all other beasts. The zebu, with its hump and mild mien, was dedicated to Brahma, and is today sacred to all Brahmins. A Brahmin bull may walk freely through •the streets without interference, from .anyone. If he feels hungry he may eat from the nearest stall—no mer•chant dares to drive him off. If he if eels tired he may rest in. the middle .of the streetno traffic policeman disturbs him, and • vehicles and pedestrians must make a detour or wait •patiently until the beast moves on.

In Tibet the yak reigns supreme. 'He swings a handsome, bushy tail much coveted -by alt Tibetans. "when dyed and mounted on handles of precious metal, these tails are held .-aloft and. carried before high officials. A, three-tail dignitary may' well look down his nose, at, a two-taller. In

India, the yak’s tail is made .into a fly-swat; in China, it forms the tufts of caps. ' , . Oxen have played their part in the development of Europe. . One needs only to look around in Italy to see how much the peasant owes to the patient, strong beasts. Since the'days of the Boman, oxen have been helping in the cultivation of the campagna. Today,; they are almost ’’one of the family” in a peasant household. In France, there is a similar valuation of the cat, tie, and there are traces of the ancient’ cult of worship that had its origin in the ancient civilisations of the Middle East. Near Dijon at harvest time an ox 'plays the leading role in the festivals. An ox is adorned with ribbons, flowers, and sheaves of grain and is led around the field while the reapers sing and dance.

Cattle have naturally contributed much' to the 'development of Britain through the centuries, but they have not figured in the (domestic, life of the people to the same extent as in other lands. The British, including the Channel Islanders, have been great breeders of cattle, and from the. wild ox of ancient Europe have been •evolved numerous breeds noted for their milkproducing and beef qualities. The Guernseys, the Jerseys, the Ayrshires, the Hereto rds, the ‘Shorthorns— all these and several other British breads have spread throughout the. world. > Almost throughout the entire earth, the ox has been there to help man progress towards higher standards living. - And today he continues to be the principal draught animal on i farm in most parts, "of the world. Utie contribute much to the diet—m. » butter, cream, and beet and - provide man with much else that useful. From their hoofs come gm » from their hides valuable leather. . owes much indeed to . the ox. * little wonder then that his g ra . has.in many lands and in bygone turned to veneration. 7