June 19, 2018 by Olympia De
Maismont
Crocodiles may be one of the
deadliest hunters in the animal kingdom, but in a small village in Burkina Faso
it is not unusual to see someone sitting atop one of the fearsome reptiles.
People in Bazoule, around 30
kilometres (20 miles) from the capital Ouagadougou, share their pond with more
than 100 of the razor-toothed creatures.
"We got used to the crocodiles when
we were young, swimming in the water with them and all that," said Pierre
Kabore, just a few metres (yards) away from a crocodile feasting on chicken
provided by the village.
"Now we can always approach
them and sit on them—and if you have the courage, you can lie on them too.
There's no problem, they are sacred crocodiles. They don't do anything to
anyone."
According to local legend, the
startling relationship with the predators dates back to at least the 15th
century.
The village was in the grip of an
agonising drought until the crocodiles led women to a hidden pond where the
population could slake their thirst.
"The villagers organised a
party to celebrate and thank the reptiles," Kabore said.
A celebration known as Koom Lakre
is still held every year during which villagers make sacrifices and ask the
animals to grant their wishes of health, prosperity and a good harvest.
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