"For example, the domestication of cattle did
not begin as a simple prospect of milk and meat. Cattle had magical functions, sometimes
oracular, sometimes sacrifical. And the choice of a given species as magical, tameable and
alimentary was originally determined by habits, proximity and 'invitation' of the animal
in question." J. Berger, "Why Look at Amimals?" In, John
Berger: Selected Essays. New York, 2001. p.259.
"Nuer (of the southern Sudan) wash their hands
and faces in the urine of cattle, especially when cows urinate during milking, drink their
milk and blood, and sleep on their hides by the side of the smoldering dung. They cover
their bodies, dress their hair, and clean their teeth with the ashes of cattle dung, and
eat their food with spoons made from their horns..." E.E. Prichard, Nuer
Religion, Oxford, 1986. pp.36-7.