Why cows could be critical to Sudan's separation

Listen to Martin Plaut 4 mins

When Sudan's peace deal and referendum were being arranged, the views of people from the north and the south were taken into account.

But while politicians weigh the future, for many ordinary southern men and women there is one unchanging reality, the importance of their cattle, which takes precedence over almost everything else.

The BBC's Africa editor, Martin Plaut, reports from the southern state of Northern Bahr El Gazal.

First broadcast 7 February 2011