Baro, Guinea, 1st May 2015: This small copse of ancient “cheesemonger” trees is regarded by the village as sacred and was here before the village was founded.


Baro, Guinea, 1st May 2015: Baro village is be above the proposed level of the Fomi Dam and will be receiving people displaced by the dam. The sacred forest of ancient “cheesemonger” trees, here before the village was founded. Pictured is Ansoumane Conde, 58, married with one wife and 2 kids. The family who guard the forest chose him as a spokesman. He’s known about the importance of the forest since he was a child. “The sacred forest protects Baro Lake, an internationally famous fishing lake, and the village. In this forest we pray to the genie, make wishes which we pay for with leaves from another tree which we put between these trees’ roots. The actual prayers we say are secret”. Although no-one sweeps the forest, the smooth area in front of the trees (150501-403) is always clean.


Size: 5485px × 3657px
Location: Guinea
Photo credit: © Mike Goldwater / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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