Bazoule, Burkina Faso: 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."

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sacred-snappers-in-bazoule-a-burkina-faso-village-people-sit-lie-on-crocodiles-1869627?amp=1&akamai-rum=off

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.

"Crocodiles are represented as the soul of our ancestors and if one of them dies, they are buried and even given a funeral as if they were human," said Kabore.

"When a misfortune is about to happen in the village, they cry out. Elders are charged with interpreting the cries, and then make wishes to ward off bad luck."

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/sacred-snappers-in-bazoule-a-burkina-faso-village-people-sit-lie-on-crocodiles-1869627?amp=1&akamai-rum=off

The crocs in that village are probably vegetarians

Africa which way?

I knew it's gonna somewhere in Africa.

EzzyCarter:
The crocs in that village are probably vegetarians

i swear. What kind of rough play will make me sit on on crocodile's back? That is only if u have a death wish

tuzle:
i swear. What kind of rough play will make me sit on on crocodile's back? That is only if u have a death wish

Crocodile wey no get joy . That grin on its face is a scam. It's one hell of a predator. We can't even be in the same vicinity not to talk of sitting on it's back, when it's not film trick . I only have one life and it sure wouldn't end in the jaws of a croc!

When fed/sated, crocodiles are harmless, docile and sleep like babies.


It's nothing special, feed any animal long enough, it will recognize your scent and become dependent (a pet.)

Africa is truly bless

It ain't harmful, yet someone is trying to feed him a fowl at an Arms length.....

Same way we joke around with Monitor lizards and Aligators in my community.....

Felt sad when I saw Gov Ben Ayade has brutalized one on a construction site