“Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day“.
The opening verse of the song “Home on the Range,” which has been the state song of Kansas since 1947, was composed by violinist Daniel Kelley with lyrics by Dr. Brewster Higley, an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. Who said that doctors cannot be creative?
The words “Home on the Range” never appeared in Higley’s original text. He titled the work “My Western Home,” though it was often titled by its first line as well.
“Where the Buffalo Roam” is also a 1980 American semi-biographical comedy film which loosely depicts author Hunter S. Thompson’s rise to fame in the 1970s and his relationship with Chicano attorney and activist Oscar “Zeta” Acosta.
Spend a bit of time with a herd of African buffalo and you’ll quickly realise they’re not just lumbering bovines in bad moods. Beneath those thick hides and heavier-than-thou horns lies a surprisingly sophisticated society, and the females are calling the shots.
Yes, you heard that correctly. The African buffalo is a matriarchal marvel. The herd’s structure is a mix of hierarchy, loyalty, and the occasional horn-to-horn disagreement, all managed with the kind of quiet authority your grandmother might’ve used at family meals.
Buffalo herds are typically made up of over 1,000 individuals, though most tend to stick to the 50–200 range.
And at the core of the herd? The females and their offspring. They form lifelong bonds with one another and make all the major decisions, especially about when and where to move, graze, or wallow.
At the head of it all is the matriarch, an older, experienced cow who doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Often referred to as pathfinders, these individuals have encountered more droughts, predators, and pushy bulls than they care to count, and their knowledge is the glue that holds the herd together. She leads with confidence, often literally, as the herd follows her direction across the plains.
Adult males, on the other hand, tend to drift in and out of the herd. Young bulls stick around for a while, but once the testosterone kicks in and egos inflate, they’re usually nudged to the edges. Many form bachelor groups, the buffalo equivalent of grumpy uncles at a braai, arguing over who has the best horn span and complaining about the heat.
Some bulls will rejoin the main herd during the breeding season, showing off in ways that only impress other bulls, while the cows calmly decide who’s worthy of passing on their genes.
The herd’s social structure isn’t just for show. It’s an essential part of their survival strategy. Predators like lions and hyenas often prey on the young or the old, but buffalo herds have developed remarkable coordination. When threatened, they form a defensive wall with the calves safely tucked inside, and if necessary, they’ll charge as one, sending even the boldest lion packing.
And if you’ve ever seen a buffalo rescue a fellow herd member from a predator’s jaws, you’ll understand why they’re known as some of the most formidable and fiercely loyal animals in Africa.
Communication within the herd isn’t all grunts and stomps, though there’s plenty of that. Buffalo use subtle cues: the flick of a tail, a shift in posture, a well-timed snort. It’s how they maintain cohesion on the move and respond to danger. And when the matriarch decides it’s time to change direction, you can bet the rest of the herd doesn’t argue.
What’s most impressive about female buffalo is their role as knowledge-keepers. Their memory of seasonal water sources, safe grazing, and migration routes can mean the difference between survival and suffering during tough years. Their leadership isn’t loud or flashy; it’s measured, experienced, and built on trust. In short, they’re the unspoken CEOs of the herd.
So next time you see a buffalo herd trudging across the veld in perfect formation, remember: it’s not brute strength or bull bravado running the show, it’s the wisdom of the women, one careful hoof step at a time.
So the next time you watch a buffalo cow stand her ground, calm and unbothered, think about the strong females in your life.
They might be battle-hardened; however, they are endlessly patient, always prepared… and not afraid to put anyone in their place, should the need arise.
I’ll end with the opening lyrics from a 1937 ‘nonsense’ song performed by Roger Miller…
“You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herdYou can’t roller skate in a buffalo herdYou can’t roller skate in a buffalo herdBut you can be happy if you’ve a mind to“
The song uses this verse and other absurd scenarios to illustrate that there are things that we cannot do, but even so, we can be happy if we choose to.
The bush is my happy space, and for as long as I can, I will continue to be enthralled by even the most ridiculous of scenarios.
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