A mostly uneventful drive, finally. Saw the usual animals, saw a few new birds, and we stopped often to discuss termites, aardvarks, prey and victim behavior especially in relation to the parents of the victim.
Bali our guide is engaged. The custom here is that the groom pays a dowry to the parents of the bride. The payment is in cattle. The people who broker the deal are the brides uncles. What it is, is payback for raising their daughter.
(Notice the large termite mound.)
Let's say a young girl grows up and gets some high school education. To go to high school one needs buy uniforms and pay transportation. When money is needed, cattle are sold. If then parents don't have the cattle, the uncles kick in - knowing that when the girl gets married, they will be paid back.
So let's say a young man gets engaged. The uncles decide the dowry based on what it cost to raise the girl. Let's say it is 14 cattle. The young man needs to come up with 14 cattle. Not money to buy the cattle; but the actual cattle.
Getting the cattle isn't easy. First there is availability. Cattle are only sold when an owner needs money. So one needs to find available cattle. When someone finds available cattle, more than one person wants it so an auction takes place. Highest bidder wins. So if you ask the young man when will you be getting married. They do not know. There are so many variables.
(Bali and PD)
An early dinner, tomorrow morning another drive, tomorrow afternoon we are on a boat cruise looking for hippos and crocks.
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