Nublang
(most common name)

The Nublang is an important livestock resource in Bhutan; it comprises 71% of their cattle population and adapts well to a wide range of climates and adverse nutritional conditions.

The Nublang is a zebu that is believed to have originated in the Sangbay Gewog of the Haa District. (A ‘gewog’ is a cluster of villages.)

The Nublang breed has a creation legend: the first bull was gifted to a cattle herder because he provided food and shelter to the Tshomoen (Lady) of Nub Tshonapata (name of a lake). Over time, the Sangbay Gewog has become known for having the best Nublang.

In Bhutan, Mithun bulls are crossbred with Nublang females (called Trahbum) to produce male jatsa (jatsha) and female jatsum (jatsham). These crossbreeds have been found to be productively superior when compared to their parent breeds. The jatsum are especially fertile and have higher milk yields.

The Nublang is also being crossbred with Jersey and Brown Swiss to take advantage of heterosis (hybrid vigor). However this is increasingly diluting the Nublang breed.

The Nublang is distinct and genetically unique when compared to Siri cattle in India and Nepal. Also, Nublang in eastern Bhutan are genetically different from Nublang in west and central Bhutan.

(Dzongkha) Nublang = male
(Dzongkha) Trahbum = female

NOTE: Trahbum is the spelling used in DAD-IS database, Mason (Dictionary 2002) and Felius (1995); Thrabum appears to be a misspelling used in Mason (Encyclopedia 2016, Dictionary 2020).

This page was last updated on: 2024-04-08

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