The Covenant of the Crocodile

The first Lebou fishermen who settled on the coast had a difficult time. The sea was powerful and did not give up its fish easily. The leader of the fishermen prayed to the great ocean spirit for help. In response, a giant Crocodile, the king of the shore, emerged from the water. The Crocodile spoke to the leader and made a pact (taax). "My children, the crocodiles, will not harm your children, the men, as long as you are near the water," it said. "Furthermore, we will help you. When you see a crocodile basking on the shore, you will know that the fish are plentiful nearby. It will be our sign to you." In return, the Lebou promised to revere the crocodile and never harm it, seeing it as a sacred ally. This is why certain Lebou families consider the crocodile their totem animal and why, traditionally, crocodiles and fishermen could exist side-by-side without fear. The crocodile became a symbol of the sacred alliance between the people and the powerful spirits of the sea.