The Sacred Crocodiles of Paga

My eldest son Paul came back from a holiday in Ghana. On his return he spoke about the friends he had made and a visit to meet the crocodiles of Paga. The Sacred Crocodiles of Paga are a lesson for all mankind. If crocodiles can live and interact, in perfect harmony with a community of people, in safety, and with mutual respect then there is genuine hope for all people. This is lesson for all that we can all live in this world, together, in peace and harmony, through simply giving and taking. Each of us has a place and a part to play in the world, perhaps we can learn from story of the Paga Crocodiles.

Yours in Light

Stephen

Sacred Crocodile Pools

This is a story telling the history of the native crocodiles of Paga as told by the elders of Paga Pio in Ghana. Crocodile abound in Page, Ghana West Africa. The town’s people hold the crocodiles sacred, the animals take refuge in practically any part of water in the town. However, there are three ponds that are in operation for tourists, the main pool is the Chief’s pool, Zenga pool and Nania pool. The Chief’s pool is the most visited pool and is located just off the main road to the border and is clearly visible by passer-by. The Zenga pool is the second oldest crocodile pool in Paga and another place for people to see the crocodiles up close. Nania pool is populated mostly by younger crocodile’s, which are less apt to being called out for visitors.

Yes, it is true! The Paga crocodiles are harmless and can even be called out of the water for visits! Paga people believe they have special connections to these animals and there is a mutual respect between human and crocodile. Humans taboo killing or eating the crocodile and they also allow people to coexist at their waters. There is a procedure for calling the crocodiles to the shore. Visitors must make the offering of a small fowl; the pool attendants will call the animals from the water with the fowl. The most social crocodiles reap hefty rewards of chickens from visiting tourists.

Why the Crocodile are Sacred

The history of the crocodiles of Paga is tied to ‘Nave’ the Paga’s patriarch and founder. Nave’s story goes back more than twelve generations to Tampela and Kampala and begins with Nave’s father, Prince Panlogo. Upon his father’s death, Panlogo contested for the position of Pio (Chief) but lost to his junior brother. Dissatisfied with this turn of events, Panlogo left his homeland, travelling with a group of sympathisers to the land of Tampela. People who supported his brother followed and the dispute escalated into violence. Panlogo and his people fled the hostilities on horseback, with the enemy-giving chase after them.  In the midst of their desperation, the people saw a crocodile at the waters edge. Panlogo’s people believe the spirits of their ancestors reside in crocodiles. Sensing that this was no ordinary crocodile, Panlogo approached the animal pleading for help to cross the river. In beseeching the crocodile, Panlogo swore that in return for its support, from this time forward, neither he nor his followers or descendants would kill or harm any crocodile or eat its flesh.

The Legend of Nave

Nave was born to Panlogo and grew up in Kampala, growing up to be a powerful hunter. He lived at a time when there were no borders cuts across the savannah.  Nave hunted freely over a vast area, to bring food home to his family.  One morning, the harmattan wind freshened as he set out from his family compound to go hunting, his trusty dog at his heels as they made there way into the bush. Nave expected to be back the following night where upon his father, mother, brothers and sisters would sit around the communal bowels of food and bush meat. Nave clutched his wooden bow and slung his quiver of poison tipped arrows over his shoulder.

However, events did not quite as planned, whilst in hot pursuit of an antelope Nave followed it under ground into an “aardvark” hole. The aardvark, frightened by Nave, escaped through the main entrance and covered it up trapping Nave below.  Blinded by the darkness, Nave did not see the antelope leave through the alternative escape opening. Nave sat on the floor of the aardvark’s hole in despair. Back in Kampala Nave’s family were racked with concern and when the hunting dog returned two days later without his master they feared the worst.

In fact the worse was at hand, because on the dark dusty floor of the aardvarks hole the man lay prostrate on the earth. Nave’s lips were dry and cracked and his skin was pale, he was no longer conscious. Witnessing all of this was a crocodile; the animal had been hiding in one of the many cool chambers the aardvark extensive underground hole. Seeing Nave’s plight the crocodile crept up to Nave and using his tail brushed cool dirt onto his chest. Nave regained consciousness. Certain this was a reprieve; Nave rose to follow the crocodile out of the aardvark’s den.