Sustainable, Upcycled & Relevant: Learn About Our Materials
At Ankole, sustainability and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we do. Our innovative use of Ankole cow horn, a byproduct of the Ugandan beef industry, exemplifies our commitment to creating beautiful, environmentally friendly products while supporting local communities.
The Ankole Cow: Unique and Sustainable
Ankole cows, native to Uganda, are renowned for their impressive horns, which have evolved to be particularly large. Despite their majestic horns, Ankole cows are quite small compared to the typical beef herds found in the UK or US. These calm and quiet animals lead a serene life, often herded and grazed along roadsides, contributing to a picturesque agricultural landscape.
Dual-Purpose Farming: A Step Back in Time
Unlike the intensive farming practices common in Western countries, Ankole cows are dual-purpose animals, providing both beef and milk. They rear their own calves, with the calves nursing from one side while the cowman milks the other. This extensive way of farming is a step back in time, reflecting a more traditional and harmonious approach to animal husbandry.
From Byproduct to Beautiful: Our Process
Traditionally, the horns of these cows were burned as waste, causing significant environmental damage. At Ankole, we saw an opportunity to turn this waste into something valuable and beautiful. By repurposing the horns, we reduce environmental impact and create additional revenue streams for local farmers. We employ around 20 locals to run our workshop, contributing to the community's economic development.
The process begins once the cow is processed for beef. We acquire the horns and initiate a meticulous transformation. The horns are first boiled in oil to remove the internal mass of blood vessels, which is then dried and used as nutritious chicken feed. This is a sustainable practice that ensures no part of the horn goes to waste.
After boiling, the horns are dried for two months, allowing them to reach the perfect condition for further processing. Once dried, the horns are thoroughly cleaned and then cut, opened, and heated to be reshaped. This reshaping can be done by hand, using a press mould, or by flattening the horn and cutting it by hand to create various products.
Crafting Unique Pieces: The Beauty of Ankole Horn
Ankole horn is prized for its incredible variety in colour, ranging from white and cream tones to neutral browns, beiges, greys, and blacks. This natural diversity ensures that no two products are ever the same, allowing us to create one-of-a-kind items that are as beautiful as they are sustainable. After shaping, the horns are sanded and polished to achieve a stunning, tactile finish.
Handcrafted Packaging: Supporting Local Artisans
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our products to our packaging. All our packaging is handmade in Kampala by a local women's group using recycled paper and banana fibre. The process involves shredding the paper and banana leaf, mixing them with water to create a paste-like mixture, and then using wooden-framed nets to scoop and dry the mixture into sheets of paper.
We adjust the colour of the paper by adding varying amounts of banana fibre. This results in beautifully textured, eco-friendly packaging that complements our products perfectly.
At Ankole, we believe in the power of sustainable practices and the beauty of up-cycled materials. By choosing our products, you are not only acquiring unique and exquisite items but also supporting environmentally friendly practices and local communities in Uganda. Discover the exceptional quality and charm of Ankole cow horn products and join us on our journey towards a more sustainable future.