SAVIKA
The "Savika", from the verb "to catch", "to control" is the traditional bullfighting practised in Betsileo country in Madagascar. Sign of prosperity and power, the zebu is a respected animal in malagasy tradition. Having a zebu needs to know how tame it, hand-naked, without protection, only helped by a stick. Man against beast. Over the centuries, the Savika has become a game of skill and courage practised by the zebu breeders living in remote rural areas of Madagascar. Now a sport, the greatest players of Madagascar meet every year for the great Savika tournament of Ambositra 250 km south of Antananarivo.