Mangalitza

Mangalitza is an old pig breed which was almost extinct, like other breeds that are completely lost – šiškа and the Šumаdija pig (šumаdinkа). Mangalitza was bred through crossing the Šumаdija pig and a Hungarian breed.

Prince Мilоš was breeding the Mangalitsa pig on Divčibаre mountain, and in the 19th century the pig was the principal Serbian export article. It was bred in Vojvodina until the mid- 20th century. Because of its curly hair of black or yellowish colour, it is also known as the woolly pig. It is a very sturdy breed, easy to raise and its meat is highly valued. Although rather fatty, the meat is of high nutritious quality, particularly for children in their development age , and the fat content is good for humans. Those who have tried this rare speciality say that the Mangalitza roast is unparalleled in taste. Mangalitza is being increasingly bred in Europe and once again it can be found in this country. This breed likes to graze freely around, but like any other pig, it likes to wallow in mud. The female can breed three to six piglets, which are quite similar to those of a wild pig – grey with dark stripes.

LANGUAGE

The Vuk’s Dictionary, besides the word mаngulica (a word for the female animal) there are also words for a male and a young animal: mаngulаc – male of the animal, and mаngulčе – the piglet.

GEOGRAPHY

In Serbia, Mangalitza is bred on the industrial level in the Zаsаvicа reserve (near Srеmska Мitrоvica), in Surčin, in Bеla Crkva, Subоtica, but also in Dimitrоvgrаd and around Bеla Pаlаnka. The breed also has its festival – in March 2010, at Pаlić,  there was a Ham Festival, where the Mangalitza products and farming were marketed.