15 news FEATURE How legendary Wukari crocodiles live peacefully with humans

them whenever Jukun rulers approached them for spiritual guidance.

Alongside the Jukuns, the traditionalists offered sacrifices to the crocodiles on annual basis, during a festival called Bori and Gani, at the pond.

It was from this practice that two houses became custodians of the culture. Their permission and authority are sought before any ritual or festival is held at the pond. Malam Yahaya Usman, 69, and Hauwa Umaru, 54, who are in charge of cultural and ritual activities at the pond come from these two houses.

The pond, according to Malam Usman, is under the authority of the Wukari Traditional Council and their role was only as custodians. Both Mallam Yahaya and Hauwa Umaru whose forefathers were Hausa are called Abakwa Riga in Wukari.

Malam Usman told that he inherited the custody of the pond from his late father because his fore fathers had also been custodians of the pond. He said his role was to present the crocodiles with sacrificed animals and other items during festivals and when the need arises.

According to him, whenever there was any calamity, they usually assembled at the pond and appeased the crocodiles in order to seek solutions. He said he was the one who slaughters a black cow whose carcass is thrown into the pond as sacrifice.

According to him, the crocodiles have been a source of guidance to the Jukun Kingdom which is why they are dear not only to Jukun rulers but the entire Jukun and Abakwa Riga people.

He said that fishing is not allowed in the pond and any fish caught from the pond can never be cooked even if it stays on the fire the whole day.

“Water from the pond is medicinal and Jukun people outside Wukari are always referred to the pond when other means of treatment fail to cure them,” he said.

He said in the past, Aku-Uka the supreme head of Jukuns used to visit the pond, as well as sons and daughters of Jukun living in Diaspora.

Malam Usman, whose ancestors migrated from Katsina, explains the origin of the Abakwa Riga. “Centuries ago, our ancestors were integrated into Jukun society by the Jukun rulers because they worked closely with them for spiritual purposes. They married our mothers and grandmothers who were Jukuns and that was why we are called Abakwa Riga, saddled with the responsibility of being custodians of the great crocodile’s pond.”

He said unlike in the past decades, the Bori and Gani festivity in Wukari is gradually declining because of the influence of Islam and Christianity.

The Andre Ashe Gbumkpa, fifty-four year old Hauwa Umaru, an Abakwa Riga, said she is among the female custodians of the pond with the role of appeasing the crocodiles and also preparing the food to be eaten during each ritual or festival.

Hauwa Umar whose forefathers were also from Katsina, said her main duty was to offer incantation and prayers by the side of the pond before any ritual or festival was held in the pond. She said she has been part of the ritual passed to her by her mother over forty years ago.

Outside the pond, most people interviewed said the Marmara pond which houses the legendary crocodiles was of great importance to Jukun culture and tradition.

A Jukun lady, Madam Rose Adi, told that she grew up and saw the crocodiles moving freely inside the town and she’s never heard that the animals ever attacked anyone.

“We used to watch the crocodiles, especially the black one, whenever it moved around about 30 years ago. The festival at the pond was also very exciting as people dressed in traditional attires and danced from the town to the pond,” Madam Adi recalled.

Centuries ago, our ancestors were integrated into Jukun society by the Jukun rulers because they worked closely with them for spiritual purposes