Folonko

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The pond in July 2019.
The entrance to the sanctuary. The pond is only a few steps behind.
The complex is unadorned and does not look well-kept.
This also applies to the environment.

Folonko or more precisely, the sacred crocodile basin of Folonko (alternative spelling Follonko , also Folongko ), is a place of worship in the West African state of Gambia and is located in Kartong , in the West Coast region , Kombo South district .

myth

The animal with mythological significance in Gambia is the crocodile . It serves as a sacred animal and symbol of fertility . In the full moon , for example, West Africans do not see the man in the moon , but - called Bambo in the Mandinka language - a crocodile. This animal is incorporated into the Dalasi banknotes as a watermark. There is also a saying that says:

“ If you see a white crocodile in the river, you have a lot of children. "

The Folonko Basin

In the middle of Kartong, which is about ten kilometers south of Gunjur , a path a little over 200 meters away from the main road leads to the pond, which is on the edge of a small forest. During the dry season the water level is low, and people come to this place of worship during the rainy season . They believe that the water brings them happiness and health.

The Folonko facility is managed by the Jaiteh family. The ruling spirit is said to be the daughter of Kachikallly.

tourism

There are three well-known sacred crocodile pools in Gambia, which are operated, among other things, for tourism . The most visited is the Kachikally Sacred Crocodile Pool . In addition to the Folonko system, there is another one at Berending. The place of worship has developed into an experience for tourists, as long as they are brave, they can touch the crocodiles. This touch is said to bring luck.

In 2007 the poor condition of the pond and the animals was reported. In July 2019 only a small pond was found; some young people acted as "guides". According to their descriptions, the crocodile shows up very rarely, preferably on Fridays, and is fed with fish by the villagers. From appearances, however, it seems more than unlikely that a crocodile is still present.

Web links

Commons : Folonko Crocodile Pool  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c NCAC website. In: ncac.gm. Retrieved July 13, 2019 .
  2. ↑ Rosel Jahn: Gambia. Travel guide with regional studies. With a travel atlas (= Mai's World Leader. No. 29). Mai, Dreieich 1997, ISBN 3-87936-239-4 .
  3. ↑ Crocodile Pool At Kartong Decaying Freedom Newspaper, November 25, 2007

Coordinates: 13 ° 5 ′ 26 "  N , 16 ° 45 ′ 41"  W.