Nan delta nan Nijè, Biseni ak Osiami pèp la viv ansanm nan amoni ak kwokodil lokal. lak yo te kwokodil yo ap viv lak yo konsidere kòm sakre ak kwokodil yo ap wè sa tankou frè Bisini a ak Osiami. Chak fwa yon kwokodil mouri li vin yon fineray jis tankou yon moun. This co-existence is threatened by a growing influence of international economic interest such as oil and fisheries has considerable impacts on the lives, values and practices of local and indigenous peoples in the delta.
Priest and assistant in front of shrine erected for sacrifices to the lake god at lake Esibiri (Besini). Sacrifices carried out in the shrine are mandatory and form an important function before and after the fishing festivities. Foto: D.E. Klè.
the crocodile is like our brother, and so cannot be hurt
-Anonymous Osiami
The rising presence of multinationals also impact indigenous ecological governance of the natural resources in the region and threaten the ecology. More work means more people and more people increases the demand for fish. As local people are forced to adopt unsustainable fishing styles that generate more revenue, such as dynamite fishing, their traditional sustainable fishing practices are abandoned. The traditional fishing system separates lakes in two categories: those that can be entered, and those that can not be entered. Those categories rotate to maintain a balance between the fish demand of the indigenous population and the time it takes for the ecosystem to restore the fish population.
This case study is based on the experience of Ms. Eno Anwana who has worked with indigenous groups in the region for over 15 ane. For more information about this site and cooperation between actors read the full case-study on our site.
Pa: Rianne Doller
