The "war against zebu" : notes on the animal that divided the Brazilian cattle-breeding elites

Abstract

This article concerning the context of zebu cattle introduction in Brazilians farms between 1897 and 1930 focusing on farmer’s political and social performing. Topics covered in this article includes: the discussion about the "best" breed to improve the cattle raising; financial supports given by the Brazilian governments to animal’s importations from India; the first livestock exposition that took place in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais; the first farming associations and government agency which was created in interest of livestock. It will also be emphasized which zootechnical argument had been used to reinforce or criticized the "war against zebu" which was played by agriculturist and cattle farmers. Hence this article aims to contribute to rural modernization studies in Brazil, enlightening the conflictive dimension in this historical process.