Towards greener pastures - Crossing river Niger photograpy:Matjaz KRIVIC

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Niger26 At dawn herders gradually take their cattle to the river in order to keep their herds separated.Niger14 At the river bank cattle becomes nervous. With no hesitation herders force them into the river with screaming and shouting.Niger16 At the river bank cattle becomes nervous. With no hesitation herders force them into the river with screaming and shouting.Niger24
At the river bank cattle becomes nervous. With no hesitation herders force them into the river with screaming and shouting.Niger15 Niger13 The crossing of mighty Niger can be fatal for weaker animals. Numerous Fula herders cross the river with their animals in order to prevent accidents.Niger17 The crossing of mighty Niger can be fatal for weaker animals. Numerous Fula herders cross the river with their animals in order to prevent accidents.Niger18
Strong whirpools are created by the swimming herds. Herders are tightly holding on to cows tails not to get pulled under the surface by them.Niger19 Strong whirpools are created by the swimming herds. Herders are tightly holding on to cows tails not to get pulled under the surface by them.Niger20 The herders survey their cattle from their pirogues and vigilantly observe activity in the river. In order to protect calf from the chaotic events in the water the herders also take them across in their pirogues.Niger21 At Diafarabe the river is three kilometers wide and it splits it self into two smaller branches . This is the most convenient place for cattle to cross since they can get some rest in the middle.Niger22
Steep and muddy climbing follows the first part of the crossing.Niger23 Steep and muddy climbing follows the first part of the crossing.Niger25 Semi nomadic lifestyle of herders keeps them on continuous search for greener pastures.Niger27 At the end of the day man are washing in the river before the evening prayer.Niger07
Families and some cattle are left at home. Four years old Hassan sticks to his mother. This is the time of his life to careless play. Soon he will become a herder him self hearding his cattle through Sahel.Niger01 Guiney warm, a dangerous parasite, is present in stagnant waters of West Africa and still represents a threat to the health in Mali population. Deep fresh water wells are the only safe places with drinking water.Niger02 There are numerous madrassa schools in predominantly Muslim Mali where children learn Koran. Nine years old Mahmadoo is copying versus from the holy book and is in this way learning to read and write.Niger03 Soccer is a Malian national sport. Bamako is hosting Africa s cup in 2002. Evenings are the time for young Malians to go out and play.Niger04
Fouta Djelon highlands in Guinea are the source of 4200 kilometers long river Niger. 1700 kilometers flows through Mali. Since bridges were only build in large cities the pirogue is the only way to cross the river.Niger08 Niger meaning the river of all rivers in Berberian is a place of daily business.Niger11 Animals that are not able to cross the second part of the river branch are slaughtered and skin in Diafarabe. There is plenty of grilled beef in the evenings. Skin, bones and gutter are used for various different purposes. Nothing is thrown away.Niger05 Polio is still a big treat to children in West Africa. While Imam is leaving his mosque, blind and paralyzed beggar is asking for charity at the stairway.Niger09
Niger s inner delta, starting at Diafarabe is the largest reservoir of freshwater fish in West Africa. Although there is no exit to an open sea the largest amount of fish in West Africa is caught in Mali.Niger06 The market plays a very important role among Fulanis. People from different villages meet and catch up on the latest births, deaths, marriages and different important news.Niger10 During this time special initiation rituals are performed when boys become men. They acquire new responsibilities. For this purpose they are armed and dressed up in best clothes and decorations families can afford. Power and maturity is expressed by ritual shouting, jumping and running across the village.Niger28 During this time special initiation rituals are performed when boys become men. They acquire new responsibilities. For this purpose they are armed and dressed up in best clothes and decorations families can afford. Power and maturity is expressed by ritual shouting, jumping and running across the village.Niger29
During this time special initiation rituals are performed when boys become men. They acquire new responsibilities. For this purpose they are armed and dressed up in best clothes and decorations families can afford. Power and maturity is expressed by ritual shouting, jumping and running across the village.Niger30 During this days a sleepy village of Diafarabe is transformed into center of activity. There is music everywhere, people are having fun and are dancing.Niger31 In ancient Mali people use to trade salt for gold. Nowadays wealthy Fulani girls wear traditional kwotenai - earrings made of 14 carat gold. The top of the earrings is often bound with red silk to protect the ear from earring s weight. Kwotenais are a extremely valuable wedding gift from woman s husband.Niger32 The return of herdsmen is followed by the wedding period. For this occasion Fulani girls strife to look extremely beautiful. Jewellery represents an important part of their decoration.Niger33
The activities on the main square don t fade out at sunset as normally. Everybody is happy and the party goes on into the night.Niger34 People are passing the beautiful Sahelian - style mosque in the center of Diafarabe after the party is over.Niger35 Story goes that baobab displeased a deity who pluged it in anger and thrust it back into the ground upside down. Hence the root like branches.Niger12