Savika is a Malagasy tradition where men ride on bulls. This event takes place once a year during Easter time in Ambositra, located in the highlands of Madagascar. The brave participants, called Mpisavika, do not receive any trophies for their courage. Rather, it is a rite of passage for young men to prove their bravery and responsibility to the community. In Malagasy culture, owning a zebu is considered the most prized possession a man can have, even more important than owning a house or a car. Savika is just another way of expressing the bond between man and zebu. "Savika symbolizes the love between humans and their zebus. Despite appearing as a fight, it signifies the deep connection between two individuals who become of the same mind with each other."
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