BARA of MADAGASCAR

Population: 1,000,000
Location:Middle of the southern third of Madagascar

The Bara are described as a proud, clever people. The tribe is divided into a large number of clans, each having its own ancestral head. They live in tumbledown mud huts and are loath to do repairs for religious reasons. Their festivals are considered vital and include ancestor worship, sacrifice of cattle and spirit possession. They speak Malagasy.

Cattle are essential to all aspects of life and society. They are used to raise cash, sacrifice at religious ceremonies, exchange as a seal on a mutual agreement and are a symbol of an individual's wealth and significance. Most Bara men carry guns or other weapons for protection and for cattle rustling. They are not afraid of the Police or army and consider it an honor to serve time in jail. They are frequently hostile to to other tribes and consider themselves oppressed. Other tribes regard them as warlike and are afraid of them.

Afew Lutheran and other protestant churches have been established in some Bara town but they are very small and not attended by Bara people but by members of other tribes.

Their health care, education, diet and shelter are considered poor and they have a low literacy rate. Their basic diet is rice and cassava. They are farmers and cattle herders and do some trading.