Caught Wife Cheating, Indonesian Man Hands Her To Lover, Accepts Cow And Cash In Return

In accordance with custom, the lover offered a cow, a piece of traditional cloth, a copper vessel and money. (AI Generated Image)

A man in Indonesia who caught his wife cheating handed her over to her lover and accepted a cow, traditional goods and cash as part of a reconciliation ritual. According to local media, the man had been married to his wife for five years. The region is home to the Tolaki people, an indigenous group known for their strong community-based traditions and emphasis on peace and dignity.

The man reportedly discovered his wife with another man in a boarding house in September after which he immediately reported the matter to police. Both his wife and her lover later admitted to the affair. Instead of pursuing legal action, the man turned to village elders and requested a resolution under Mowea Sarapu, a Tolaki ritual that literally means “letting go and making peace.”

The centuries-old custom serves as a traditional mechanism for restoring social harmony after domestic or marital conflicts. It prioritises reconciliation and balance over punishment, reflecting the Tolaki belief that unresolved disputes can invite misfortune upon the community.

During the ritual, the man and his wife sat side by side before community elders, family members and local residents. In accordance with custom, the lover offered a cow, a piece of traditional cloth, a copper vessel and five million rupiah (about US$300) as symbolic compensation.

Safrudin, the village chief, confirmed that the couple’s marriage had been formally dissolved following the ceremony. The ritual concluded with both men- the husband and the lover- shaking hands in what elders described as an act of peace and humility.

Tolaki elders maintain that the ritual is about restoring moral balance, not commodifying relationships. However, they also warn that if a woman were to undergo Mowea Sarapu again to seek another husband, it would bring shame upon her and her family.