Origin and Dispersal of Domestic Chickens in Africa: Integrating Archaeological, Genetic and Historical Evidence

<jats:p>The domestic chicken is one of the most widely distributed and socio-economically important livestock species globally, contributing significantly to food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural practices. Its domestication, estimated to have occurred 8,000–10,000 years ago in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, involved multiple events and contributions from several junglefowl species, notably the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), with additional genetic inputs from Gray Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii), Ceylon Junglefowl (Gallus lafayetii), and Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius). This chapter synthesizes archaeological, genetic, and historical evidence to reconstruct the origin and dispersal of domestic chickens into Africa. Evidence indicates that chickens were introduced into Africa through two major routes: the Mediterranean pathway via Egypt around 300 BC and the Indian Ocean maritime network during the 1st millennium AD. These introductions were followed by extensive inland dispersal facilitated by trans-Saharan trade, Bantu migrations, and regional exchange systems. Molecular studies, including mtDNA and nuclear markers, reveal multiple maternal haplogroups and extensive genetic admixture, reflecting repeated introductions and complex demographic history. African indigenous chickens have since evolved into highly diverse and locally adapted populations, exhibiting important traits such as disease resistance, heat tolerance, and efficient scavenging ability, which are essential for survival under low-input production systems. These populations represent a critical genetic resource for sustainable poultry development. The chapter emphasizes the urgent need for conservation and strategic utilization of these genetic resources through integrated approaches that combine genomics, archaeology, and ethnography. Such efforts are essential for improving productivity, resilience, and food security under evolving climatic and socio-economic challenges.</jats:p>