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Unis contre les voleurs de bœuf.
For four years, I photographed the Anosy region of southern Madagascar, where I live. I am interested in telling the lives of the people. The old port of Taolagnaro, with its fishing canoes. The markets of the regions of the interior, a typical moment, all over Madagascar. I was told Ranomafana, as the cradle of the Tamboly traditions, the ethnic group that gave rise to the known Taolagnaro. Ranomafana is an agricultural center where it is grown robusta coffee and rice. Products then resold on1
For four years, I photographed the Anosy region of southern Madagascar, where I live. I am interested in telling the lives of the people.
The old port of Taolagnaro, with its fishing canoes.
The markets of the regions of the interior, a typical moment, all over Madagascar.
I was told Ranomafana, as the cradle of the Tamboly traditions, the ethnic group that gave rise to the known Taolagnaro.
Ranomafana is an agricultural center where it is grown robusta coffee and rice. Products then resold on the market of Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro).
People come from afar to sell, buy, meet, exchange the latest news, they take the sick to the medical center. It is a village in the middle of a network of small villages on a rather wide area.
This is July 2013. Market day. The village square is exceptionally empty. The path to the east is pointed at. A few kilometers from Ranomafana arrived the bandits. Leaving someone to occupy the house and the little ones, those who can do set out on the way. Men, women and youth. They run in small groups, each wielding a spear, a knife, a slingshot, or for women the stick to pound the rice, the stones. The rare shotgun. We are not going to see anything, but to fight, if necessary, surely to defend ourselves.
The "dahalo", "thieves" seek the cattle. That day divided into two groups, about two hundred and fifty. They suddenly arrive at night and without pity in their way.
The gendarmes at Ranomafana are few and poorly equipped. People fled terrified the first time. Later, they decided to protect themselves their land. It is a true organization and solidarity of the people. This is what I mean with my images: no conflict or death, but the value that binds these people.
The first group of Dahalo, stolen a hundred oxen, had managed to escape. The other was surrounded at the bottom of the valley.
The Malagasy, is of Asian origin, and not exteriorizes feelings. No blatant behavior. But the tension is perceptible on the faces and the eyes.
Among the bandits of men who know how to handle arms, but also men, women and children gathered from distant villages. The poor in search of fortune.
In the afternoon arrives the contingent of the gendarmerie of Taolagnaro. At least the night, we'll be safe.
The next day, they will have a hundred deaths, among them pregnant women and children.
The Dahalo bring oxen through illegal means on official markets. Demand for beef on the international market is very strong and generates profits.
The ox is also a symbol for this people. And the animal for work and transport. Death, marriage, disputes are settled by the death of the bull. It is the wealth of Malagasy, its honor and its social prestige. It is the bridge, the traditional sacrament, between the living and the ancestors.
Economic interests trample the traditions and beliefs of a people, who do not want to accept.
The old port of Taolagnaro, with its fishing canoes.
The markets of the regions of the interior, a typical moment, all over Madagascar.
I was told Ranomafana, as the cradle of the Tamboly traditions, the ethnic group that gave rise to the known Taolagnaro.
Ranomafana is an agricultural center where it is grown robusta coffee and rice. Products then resold on the market of Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro).
People come from afar to sell, buy, meet, exchange the latest news, they take the sick to the medical center. It is a village in the middle of a network of small villages on a rather wide area.
This is July 2013. Market day. The village square is exceptionally empty. The path to the east is pointed at. A few kilometers from Ranomafana arrived the bandits. Leaving someone to occupy the house and the little ones, those who can do set out on the way. Men, women and youth. They run in small groups, each wielding a spear, a knife, a slingshot, or for women the stick to pound the rice, the stones. The rare shotgun. We are not going to see anything, but to fight, if necessary, surely to defend ourselves.
The "dahalo", "thieves" seek the cattle. That day divided into two groups, about two hundred and fifty. They suddenly arrive at night and without pity in their way.
The gendarmes at Ranomafana are few and poorly equipped. People fled terrified the first time. Later, they decided to protect themselves their land. It is a true organization and solidarity of the people. This is what I mean with my images: no conflict or death, but the value that binds these people.
The first group of Dahalo, stolen a hundred oxen, had managed to escape. The other was surrounded at the bottom of the valley.
The Malagasy, is of Asian origin, and not exteriorizes feelings. No blatant behavior. But the tension is perceptible on the faces and the eyes.
Among the bandits of men who know how to handle arms, but also men, women and children gathered from distant villages. The poor in search of fortune.
In the afternoon arrives the contingent of the gendarmerie of Taolagnaro. At least the night, we'll be safe.
The next day, they will have a hundred deaths, among them pregnant women and children.
The Dahalo bring oxen through illegal means on official markets. Demand for beef on the international market is very strong and generates profits.
The ox is also a symbol for this people. And the animal for work and transport. Death, marriage, disputes are settled by the death of the bull. It is the wealth of Malagasy, its honor and its social prestige. It is the bridge, the traditional sacrament, between the living and the ancestors.
Economic interests trample the traditions and beliefs of a people, who do not want to accept.
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