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Kachikally Crocodile Pool
in Bakau |
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 The sacred pool at
Bakau (see
map) has over the years become a
tourist magnet for visitors to The Gambia. Some Gambians believe that
the pools have supernatural healing powers and in particular bathing
with the waters can aid in fertility. There are dozens of these sacred
pools in The Gambia (some without crocs) but this is the nearest to
the Atlantic
tourist strip. There are over 100 resident crocs of the pool. The
Katchikally Crocodile Pool
(Website) at Bakau, was first discovered
by a
 wine-palm tapper, a member of the Bojang clan, over 100 years
ago. The pool's crocodilian residents have since become so tame, that
they allow visitors to pet them, and seem to prefer fish over red
meat.
Infertile women travel from far and wide from both within and outside
the Gambia to visit the site where they are washed with sacred water
from the pool by specially trained women of the Bojang clan. After the
ritual washing the women are given some of the water in a bottle to be
applied to certain body parts before going to bed and first thing in
the morning. In return, people washed at the pool are expected to make
a small cash donation, a piece of cloth and a cola nut - half of which
is shared among the elderly and the other half of which is thrown into
the pool to appease the crocodiles. Once the ritual is performed, one
is not supposed to shake hands with anybody from Bakau. Members of the
Bojang clan are forbidden from exploiting the pool for financial gains
lest it loses its sacredness. There are two other popular pools at Folonko in Kartong Village and Berending Bolong 4km from Barra.
For further details:
Tel: +220 778 2479 (Mobile)
Tel: +220 449 7802 (Office)
Email: kachikally@qanet.gm
Bakau Botanical Gardens 
Photos
The botanical gardens are located at the Cape Point end of
Bakau, just after the craft market and the turn for 'Old Cape
Road'. The gardens were created in colonial times. It's also a
great place to look out for birds in the tree canopy. This is a
quiet and pleasant place to come and have your afternoon snack.
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Attractions / Excursions
Nature Reserves
Resorts
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