How to empty a lake of fish in minutes

Mali, and the village of Bamba in the north of Dogon country, where, since the beginning, that is to say since the Dogon arrived in this magic land in Mali long ago, a sacred fishing ritual is practiced, known as “Antogo”. A small yet very powerful lake rests just beneath Bamba. Antogo is celebrated only once a year, and only on this day is fishing allowed on the lake, it is strictly prohibited on any other day of the year.

Saturday, market day in Bamba. It’s 15:00 p.m, on May 2nd. The temperature is nudging 50 degrees, the sun burning in the sky. To coincide with the sixth month of the dry season the council of wise men of Bamba get together in order to fix the exact date of the Antogo ritual; for the first three market days of the month large wooden sticks are placed in the middle of the lake, signalling that the ritual is getting closer. The 3 sticks function as a signal for the whole region, warning that the date is coming soon.

In the past the whole area of Bamba was covered with green forests and bush, and the lake, the water of which was considered sacred and populated by good spirits, offered tons of fish, which contributed to local food requirements. The passage of time, climate change and parallel processes, including the massive desertification of the region, has meant that the area has transformed itself from a green zone into an arid, dry, eroded, infertile, rocky area, characterized today by huge problems in terms of water access and availability. This small yet eternal lake, apparently capable of resisting climate evolutions, represents a precious resource still today, above all from an identity and cultural point of view.

The ritual seems to contradict one of the distinguishing aspects of the Dogon culture, that is, the antipathy towards water, which they prefer to avoid when they can, confining and structuring their living around rocks, hills and semi-deserted areas, far away from the feared river Niger.

On the day of Antogo hundreds of Dogon come from all parts of the country to Bamba’s lake. Around the lake we notice 3 bigger groups of people, formed by the most respected and ancient families of various Dogon villages. The largest group is the one of Bamba, which includes people from 13 smaller villages around. Each of these groups, in a collective mystical silence, pronounce ritualistic formulas, together with the names of the most important families; finally, the word comes to the wise of Bamba, who, when done speaking, mark the beginning of the ritual itself.

A silent black frame gets drawn all around the lake, made of little kids, young and old men, carrying hand made tools to catch the fish. Women cannot participate to the ritual, getting close to the lake is strictly prohibited; in fact, in line with other aspects of the complex Dogon culture, which prohibits women from taking part in any of the ritualistic elements of life. Women are considered impure by definition, because of the menstrual cycle.

All of a sudden hundreds of Dogon jump wildly into the lake, in order to capture as many fish as possible in any way they can. Fish are then placed in a leather bag that they communally carry. The dance continues happily albeit chaotically, with everyone covered in mud is used to draw on the faces and bodies of the participants, the intensity of the moment is immense, overwhelming.

Just about 30 minutes later a gunshot marks the end of the ritual. All fish captured will be put together and given to the oldest man of Bamba, who will ensure proper distribution among all villages.

Antogo – embedded in mystery and magic – symbolises peace and cohesion among Dogon villages, absence of conflict and the sharing of the gifts coming from a common good.

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Forever Faithful

For those who just don’t believe pets truly bond with their human companions, maybe these photos will drive the point home.

CNN reports that Leao, a medium-sized brown mutt, took up a spot for at least two days alongside the grave of her deceased owner, Cristina Maria Cesario Santana, who had been among 655 killed in landslides. The pictures were taken Saturday by Vanderlei Almeida of Agence France Presse/Getty Images at a cemetery in Teresopolis amid the mountainous region northeast of Rio de Janeiro.

Sad tale, indeed, and we’ll update it if we hear more. In the meantime, hug your buddies… and here’s another image…

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Three Lionesses Killed a Crocodile After it tried to Attack a Cub

Three lionesses pounced on a crocodile in an extraordinary scene after the reptile tried to attack one of the pride's cubs.

The protective females instinctively leapt into action to fend off the aggressive predator.

With organised precision, the lionesses surrounded the croc and launched a ferocious volley of blows.

The rare scenes were captured by Tony Goldman while on a safari trip to the Duba Plains, in Botswana, with his son.

Tony, 58, a cardiologist, said: 'The lionesses had just killed a buffalo and suddenly a crocodile ventured about 100 yards out of the water towards them to snack on the meat.

'One of the smaller cubs was in the path of the crocodile and it started to advance towards the cub in a menacing fashion before trying to attack it.

During the encounter the crocodile managed to bite one of the big cats but was soon killed by the pride.

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Dalek and gold dentures left in hotel rooms

A life-sized Dalek and a set of gold teeth worth £6,500 are just some of the odd items left in rooms by guests, a hotel chain has revealed.

Bosses at Travelodge say other bizarre things left in their rooms in 2010 include an antique rocking horse, a 4ft yam and £10,000 in cash.

After reviewing their lost and found offices staff were also surprised to find a superintendent’s ID badge, Keys to a Rolls Royce Phantom and a traffic lollipop stick.

Meanwhile the most common items left behind were mobile phones, gadgets, laptop computers, teddy bears and books.

Slightly worryingly artificial limbs were the seventh most frequently forgotten items… followed by adult toys.

Top 10 most common items left in hotel rooms
1. Mobile Phones
2. Gadgets
3. Laptops / games consoles
4. Teddy Bears
5. Books
6. Clothing items / Toiletries
7. Artificial limbs
8. Hen / Stag accessories / adult toys
9. Handbags, Briefcases and suitcases
10. Jewellery

Jon Hendry-Pickup, Travelodge Operations Director said; "Each year our lost and found departments provide plenty of revelations.

"From keys to a Rolls-Royce to a life size Dalek, our customers’ left behinds demonstrate what a broad a cross-section of people stay in our 460 hotels.”

"The 2010 left behind inventory report also demonstrated that we are truly living in a digital world as we have seen a huge rise in Apple and Android devices and accessories being left behind in our hotels."

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Introducing the crazy sport of 'noodling'

A dangerous sport in which anglers use their arms as bait to lure enormous catfish has become an internet sensation.

The bizarre pastime of noodling takes the gentle practice of trout tickling to new heights with the fish biting on the human flesh.

The noodlers find catfish in the holes where they live and insert their arms, which the fish latch on to with their teeth.

It is then an often violent battle to bring the fish, which can weigh up to 60lbs, to the surface.

Sometimes the noodler attaches a string to the fish after he has caught it, to make it is easier to yank from its hole.

The fight often leaves noodlers with injuries when their arms are cut, and can be fatal if they take on a fish that is too big.

It happens during the spawning season in the U.S. and other parts of the world and has been banned in some places.

Pictures and videos of the spectacle are big hits on the internet and proud noodlers are keen to pose with their catches that are usually flathead catfish.

Competitions of the sport began in the 1990s, but with the advent of the internet, it now has a worldwide following.

Tim Jones, who is an active noodler in the southern states of America, said: 'Most noodling takes place in shallow water.

'If the water is over your head, it can be difficult or even impossible to wrestle a fish to the surface.

'Noodlers search for likely catfish hideouts inside submerged logs, fallen trees, under rocks or in holes in banks in creeks or rivers.

'Catfish make their nests where they feel safe. During spawning season,In spring and summer when the water temperature rises to about 80 degrees you're likely to find catfish in their nests because they seldom abandon their eggs.

'Once you locate a promising spot, you'll want to barricade any possible escape routes, using rocks, old logs or your noodling buddies.

'Next, test the hole by poking it with a stick. Experienced noodlers can feel the difference between a catfish, a snake or a turtle or a beaver.

'If your stick says it's a catfish, go ahead and jam your hand in the hole. Sometimes you can do this without putting your head underwater.

'But sometimes you'll have to take a deep breath and submerge yourself. You'll need your noodling buddies to act as spotters.'

Jason Cook, who runs the angling website fishingloft.com, said: 'Catfish noodling is considered to be dangerous.

'People have drowned, lost fingers and many suffer deep lacerations entangling with these beasts.

'Therefore it's important to wear gloves and other protective clothing.

'Some people will even tie themselves off with ropes to help ensure that they don't get stuck and submerged under water with a strong heavyweight monster-sized catfish.

'There are other possible dangers to be aware of. People have been known to come in contact with alligators, snapping turtles, muskrats, beavers and snakes.'

In the more sedate British streams and rivers, generations of people have 'tickled' fish to eat.

Tickling is the art of rubbing the underbelly of a trout using fingers so the fish goes into a trance-like state and can then be grabbed from the water.





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