The Sacred Crocodiles of Sabou
In a village in Burkina Faso, people walk among crocodiles lying on the shore of a pond, and even sit on them. The crocodiles are believed to hold the souls of ancestors.
What was reported
In the village of Sabou, west of Ouagadougou, a pond is home to dozens of Nile crocodiles that are sacred to the community. Legend says that long ago, crocodiles led the village's thirsty ancestors to water, and they've been protected ever since. Some believe the crocodiles carry the souls of ancestors, and that a crocodile dies when a person of the village dies.
The crocodiles are fed chickens by their keepers, and many are so used to people that visitors can touch them, or even sit on their backs, under the guidance of the guardians.
Explanations offered
The crocodiles appear calm because they're well fed and have lived with people for generations, but they're still wild animals. Sacred crocodile ponds are found in several places in the region, including Paga in Ghana, and are part of local spiritual traditions.
- When
- A living tradition
- Where
- Sabou, Centre-Ouest, Burkina Faso
- Witnesses
- Villagers and visitors
- Status
- Folklore
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.