Brahmin

"Swear I heard one of them brahmin speak. "Moo, I say," or somesuch."

- Ed

Brahmin or brahma are mutated cattle with two heads found all over the post-War United States of America.

Background
Brahmin serve a vital environmental niche in the Fallout world -- they form the foundation of survival for many species; most notably, humans. They also form the backbone of the New California Republic economy and of the New Reno "NCR brahmin rustling" economy.

Brahmin can pull carts, old cars, plows, and dead bodies. Brahmin can be driven into herds then used as stampedes on rival tribal villages. Brahmin hair can be woven into bags and ropes. Brahmin sinew can be used for bowstrings or thread for stitching. Brahmin droppings are great fertilizer and fuel for campfires - the fumes from their feces are also used to synthesize jet.

Brahmin bones can be used as clubs, knives, arrowheads, eating utensils, hoes, or even dice, and their skulls look really scary dotted all over the desert landscape. Their hide can be used to make tents (or teepees), clothing, belts, saddle bags, shoes, leather armor, leather jackets, or a bizarre brahmin-looking disguise.

Biology
Brahmin are mutated cattle with two heads. When the bombs fell, cows mutated and grew two heads, and were given the name brahmin. They also have eight stomach compartments, twice as many as normal cows. They are of a toasty brown/orange colour, and attack by head-butting or trying to gore someone with their horns.

Brahmin meat is delicious - if only when compared to other sources of food. Brahmin are a source of milk that is like modern day milk, yet strangely different, it has been said to help heal radiation poisoning. Brahmin bulls have four testicles, and the udders of female brahmin have increased in size as a result of their mutation.

Occasionally, a brahmin is born with a single head - essentially, a regular cow. Ironically, these single-headed brahmin are referred to as "mutated" brahmin.

Behind the scenes

 * One brahmin appears as an easter egg in Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura, shown in a freak show and described as coming from "a far away wasteland".
 * Brahmin get their name from the brahmin caste in Hindu culture. Their use in the Fallout games is likely a play on the reverence held for cows in Hindu culture. The name was changed in India's version of Fallout 3 so as not to offend Hindu culture.
 * The brahmin is an actual breed of cow. This breed, raised commonly in the tropics, can withstand severe heat, making it suitable for adaptation to life in the wasteland (although it looks significantly different than the in-game version).

Gallery
Brahmán Brahmin Брамин