Monthly Photos　November 2010

Photos taken by ILCAA staff and associates are posted here once a month; most of them are taken during their field research in Asia and Africa.

(The copyright belongs to the photographers.)

mitolon’omby in North-western Madagascar

In Malagasy “mitolona” means to hold, to wrestle, or to struggle, and “omby” means cattle. Therefore the word “mitolon’omby” refers to holding cattle, wrestling cattle, or struggling (with) cattle. According to the customs of the people in North-Western Madagascar, this “mitolon’omby” activity must be done by men before sacrificing cattle in every festive occasion. And also if men and cattle gather in one place at any opportunity, there often occurs a “mitolon’omby” spontaneously. This picture shows that the “mitolon’omby” being performed on the occasion of vaccinating cattle. The “mitolon’omby” and the “moraingy” which means 'to box' in Malagasy way are still the best chance that shows manhood to women. However when these kind of demonstrations are finished, many people are frequently injured. It is not easy for men to attract women everywhere!

AUG 2008
North-western Madagascar
Photograph by Hideo Fukazawa

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