The villagers were very grateful to the crocodiles, so they took care of them and lived next to them. In addition, they hold funerals and bury them after death, as they do with their companions.
In this place, the giant crocodiles are not cold-blooded animals that are hated, nor are they a terrifying obsession for humans. In contrast, these reptiles were honored as gods.
Crocodiles may be one of the deadliest predators in the world, but in Bazoule , a small village in Burkina Faso, it’s not uncommon to see someone riding on the back of a giant alligator. Because here, crocodiles have a mystical connection with the locals.
In cultures across the globe, animals are revered, and even worshipped. For example, in Hinduism, cows are valued for their gentle nature. Crocodiles were worshiped in ancient Egypt, as they were believed to be living representations of the god Sobek.
In Burkina Faso, just 30 kilometers from the capital Ouagadougou, there is a small village of Bazoule, where its inhabitants – descendants of Mossis warriors have chosen bad fish as their totem.
Despite the crocodile’s fearsome reputation, the villagers have no problem living with them. In fact, Mossi boldly approached the crocodiles to play, they even sat on and lay next to them.
This image often appears in the village of Bazoule.
The people of Bazoule share their water with more than 100 giant crocodiles.
They consider it completely normal and feel lucky to be able to live with the crocodiles.
“We have known crocodiles since childhood, swimming and doing many other things with them. We can have intimate contact, sit and even lie on the crocodile’s back. They are sacred crocodiles, will does not harm anyone,” shared Pierre Kabore, a Bazoule villager.
According to local legend, the villagers of Bazoule have had a close relationship with crocodiles since around the 15th century.
At that time, the village of Bazoule was in a state of prolonged drought, the people lived extremely miserable and hungry.
Fortunately, while it seemed that everyone in the village would die, a crocodile came and led the women to a mysterious pond. Thanks to that, the people in the village are quenched and life is revived in the village.
The people of Bazoule have a close relationship with crocodiles.
From then on, every year the villagers of Bazoule will hold a celebration called Koom Lakre to celebrate and thank the crocodiles. During the celebration, the villagers voluntarily provide meats for the crocodiles, in return they wish for health, good crops and more and more prosperity.
“Crocodiles are considered to represent our ancestors’ souls. If a crocodile dies, it will be buried and buried like a human,” Kabore said.