Stunning ritual fishing Bashny.Net

Built among boulders in the dry and arid Dogon County in Mali, at the foot of the incredible slope 500 meters high, is a small village called Bamba. Everything here is parched as the dry season reaches its peak, leaving only one sacred pond full of fish catfish. Every year, an ancient fishing ritual called Antago made in the lake – a spectacle that is worthy of attention. Fishing in the lake is strictly forbidden in the course of the year, but the day Antago celebrated when hundreds of men jump into the lake, and bare hands to grab the fish. The frenzy lasts for approximately 15 minutes.









In the past, Bamba was covered with lush green forests and a lake, the water of which was considered sacred and populated by good spirits, offering tons of fish to the villagers. But as time passed, the climate changed and the area has transformed itself from a Green zone to the arid, dry, barren, rocky region, a small lake remained the last remnant of former abundance.









A day Antago hundreds of Dogon come from all parts of the country to the lake of bamboo, a pond the size of an Olympic pool. They crowd around the lake – children, young people and old people armed with fishing baskets in the shape of a cone and other hand made tools to catch fish. Women are not allowed to participate in the ritual because they are considered unclean due to their menstrual cycle. Others begin to act, preparing for the celebration.

Suddenly 400 men jump into the lake, grabbing everything that comes to hand. About 15 minutes later, the shot marks the end of the ritual. All captured fish are placed in a leather bag and handed to the oldest man of Bamba, which ensures proper distribution among all villages.









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