A zebu – a type of humped cow – is precious, sacrosanct even, and integral to the Bara tribe’s economy. Their cattle must be protected at all costs, and are traditionally guarded with axes and spears.
The tribe goes to amazing lengths to guard their cattle, using potions to ward off thieves. One, called Too-ja-ka (‘to spread’ in Malagasy), causes cattle to run from approaching thieves. Another, (Si-ham-ba-la-ha-fa), results in cattle dying as soon as they reach a thief’s kraal. And there’s even a potion to make cattle and their owners bulletproof.
