Pkdezire: In Mali Sacred Antogo Fishing Ritual

Human Planet: Deserts | Thousands of fishermen empty lake in minutes -

Worldwide, there are lots of interesting holidays. Most of them attract attention with bright colors, enchanting action, costumed parades, rousing music and dancing. For living in the south-east Mali tribe of Dagon county a small village called Bamba, is a traditional grand celebration, held every year in massive fishing in the waters of Lake Antogo. Antogo Lake is one of the hundreds of lakes which belong to one of the largest tributaries of the African river Niger. Despite the arid climate, the lake always has water in it and always find fish. For the Dogon is a sacred lake and catch fish in it is prohibited throughout the year. However, one day a year the ban is removed, and the lake begins great fishing.

Image Source - - Matteobertolino

Holiday-fishing residents gather from all the surrounding villages. For several hours, held sacred rituals and prayers, after which thousands of armed special wicker baskets men rush into the lake in the hope of a catch. All this goes on for about 15 minutes, when a gunshot marks the end of the ritual. All the captured fish are put together and handed over to the oldest man of Bamba, the village elder, who will make sure the catch is properly distributed among the villages. This quaint fishing ritual symbolizes peace and unity of all members of the Dogon people. Interestingly, the ritual is a strong contrast to other aspects of Dogon culture. The people of this region have a strange antipathy towards water, and try to avoid it as much as possible. They prefer to live around the rocks, hills and semi-deserted areas, far from feared river Niger. But for the festival of Antogo, all fears are put aside and people jump right into the water to get their fish.

Photo Source | Matteobertolino

Photo credit | Matteobertolino

Source — Odditycentral | Reportage | Matteobertolino | Topnews

Pkdezire

In Mali Sacred Antogo Fishing Ritual

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