We saw many zebus as we were being driven around Madagascar. These big humped cows are a huge part of the locals’ culture.
Our awesome guide shared that a zebu was a big part of the traditional dowry (a gift from the groom to the bride’s family). But the zebu had to be female as they are good for milk and babies, in addition to meat, riding, farm work, etc. To give a male zebu was an insult.
If the bride’s family lived too far away to send the animal itself, the equivalent funds to buy a female zebu could often be sent.
The penalty in Madagascar for stealing a chicken was five years in prison. I don’t want to think about what the penalty for stealing a zebu would be!
