Catching the Thieves

During our time in Besatra, we were able to experience a new cultural experience. The Mahafaly people struggle daily with cattle thieves that sneak into their villages with guns, steal their cattle, and often kill or kidnap the young that keep watch over the cattle. Weaker villages, will abandon their village and run into the forest to hide from the hostile thieves. Stronger, larger villages will often fight back. Besatra is the later. Upon our arrival in Besatra we were told that cattle thieves had passed through their territory with six stolen cows. They did not know to which village the cattle belonged to, but all of the men got together with guns and spear to go after the thieves. Not long after we got there, everyone jumped up from around us and started towards the other side of the village. The men were back...and they had caught the thieves and the cows! By the time we got there, a crowd of about 100 had gathered to welcome in the warriors. Cheers of joy and dancing came from all around as the men danced with their spears held high and the cows at their center. You couldn't help but feel pride and excitement with the people. Once everything settled, the men gathered together to discuss the fate of the four thieves. They decided to call the local military to take them into custody. They treated the thieves surprisingly well, giving them coffee and preparing them some of their scarce food. This was interesting to see, as the village leaders could have just as easily decided to execute the thieves then and there (a common practice). As for the fate of the cows...the village leaders found the owner and were waiting on his arrival to return the cattle when we left.