Dahalo Encounter

In Madagascar, it is quite common to see smoke in the air, especially during the dry season. However, on one particular day several unusually thick smoke plumes rising from near the Ambilorano mission base caused the cheerful mood in the helicopter to immediately change to one of concern. Smoke like that could mean trouble of some kind. 

Our mission to the Bemarah plateau had started as usual with Missionary Denis, Dr. Justin and helper Alain, but this time we also had Clarisse, the wife of Pastor Cyrile along with their two small children. Clarisse and the children had left the mission base where they lived because of security concerns.  

As we approached Ambilorano it became clear that the smoke was the result of several small groups of houses near the mission base, all almost completely destroyed by fire. Standing on a nearby hill watching them burn was a large crowd of people, but as we could see Pastor Cyrile at the base expectantly waiting for his family, we landed to find out what was going on. He explained that the burning houses nearby were the result of the local community becoming tired of the  insecurity in the area. Suspecting the houses were occupied by a notorious band of Dahalos (cattle thieves), the people from the nearby town of Ankavandra joined with the local Gendarmerie and set the houses ablaze in an attempt to apprehend the Dahalos or at least cause them to leave the area. 

Being satisfied that there was no danger to Pastor Cyrile and his family, we departed and continued with the rest of the mission to visit four other villages. However we soon received news that the Dahalo, who having indeed fled their burning houses  had not gone far but had concealed themselves by the river crossing. When the people returned to cross back over the river they shot at the crowd, killing several people and wounding quite a few others. Fearing for their safety, Cyrile and his family had also left the base, so when we returned to Ankavandra to refuel the helicopter we met with them to see how they were doing. Cyrile expressed concern that there were irreplaceable documents and important items in their house which might also be burned in the trouble. We decided to take Cyrile and Alain the short distance with the helicopter but as we flew over the base, I took the time to search the area carefully from the air for Dahalos. While Cyrile and Alain went into the house to get the things they needed, we noticed an unusual number of guns leaning against the base of the tree and some suspicious men with rifles. We had run into the Dahalos! Even the leader of the Dahalo gang was there! We talked to them and feigned ignorance. As I went through the start-up sequence, I noticed one of the armed men move right next to our helicopter and I sent up a prayer to the heavens as we took off. We dropped Cyrile back in Ankavandra and returned safely to Antananarivo with the rest of the team. 

One month later we returned to the area with Denis and his team, eager to find out what had happened to Cyrile and the Dahalos. Tafita, the leader of the Dahalos, had indeed been caught and had been appointed as head of security! “After all, he’s a very smart guy!” Different countries, different customs. 

Thank you for your prayers as we encounter some unpredictable situations during our flights sometimes. 

Ross, Pilot