Kachikally sacred crocodile pool and museum

Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool are located in Bakau, 16 kilometers from the capital of Gambia, Banjul. The crocodile pool is considered one of the three sacred pools used as places for fertility rituals. Infertile women still travel from far away to visit this site and to wash themselves with sacred water under the guidance of the Bojang clan women. After the ritual, the women get a bottle with the pool water to apply to the certain body parts later. The ritual is performed in exchange for a small cash donation, a piece of cloth and a cola nut, which is shared with the elders and the crocs in the pool. Once you have gone through the ritual, you are not allowed to shake hands with anyone from Bakau.

The founders of Kachikally museum is Bojang family, one of the main landowners in the city. The pool was founded 500 years ago, and since then the members of the family has been taking care of this place and the pets living in it.  Members of the Bojang clan are forbidden to use the pool for financial gains, otherwise, it will lose its power. This unique complex is home to about 80 Nile crocodiles, which grow up to 4.5 meters long and live very long lives. Among the crocs in the pool there is one albino crocodile and a croc named Charlie – the most famous and hospitable one. The crocodiles in the pool have become so tame that you can even pet them, and they seem to prefer fish over red meat.

The museum features Gambia traditional costumes used for rituals and masquerades, native musical instruments and agricultural devices. There is also a souvenir shop and a bird watching trail in the vicinity.

Gallery: Kachikally sacred crocodile pool and museum