Defects and Grading of Hides and Skins in Kordofan Region

Raw material hides and skins regarding both before and after tanning reflected that the most common defects to Kordofan cattle hides were poor flaying which is resulted in 28% of damages and 12% of wasting, followed by branding, putrefaction, mechanical damages and lastly diseases 2% and 3% of damages both before and after tanning and 2% of wasting. Also in sheep skins flaying defects were the most common which cause 8% and 10% of damages both before and after tanning and 10% of wasting, followed by putrefaction, diseases and lastly red heat taints which resulted in 3% and 4% of damages both before and after tanning and 4% of wasting. As in cattle and sheep skins, the most common damages to goat skins were flaying defects which resulted in 4% of damages and 4% of wasting, followed by diseases and lastly putrefaction which resulted in 2% of damages and 2% of wasting Branding, another important source of damage, is generally used as means of proving ownership, as treatment for some diseases or for superstitious and religious reasons. Hot iron branding is usually applied on cattle hides in the valuable regions as it is observed in cattle of Baggara tribes.