Among the fishermen nomads in Niger in Mopti

One of the most beautiful experiences was visiting the fishermen nomads of Mopti. While taking a walk through Mopti, the port city, my companion Pigmay suddenly told me to come with him on a boat.

I made it clear to him that I didn't have any money. He just said 'It is ok'. So I got on the boat and after a ride through the port, we approached the settlement of the fishermen nomads. On the shore, a girl was washing herself with her bare upper body. I was too scared to take pictures. So Pigmay took the camera from my hand and took photos. I was relieved when the woman laughed and continued washing without any hesitation.

In the first few minutes on the island, I had an oppressive feeling. But after the first photos, I saw that the residents are extremely friendly. And when I showed them the photos on the display, I had won them over. Now I had a real job. I had to photograph family photos and photos with girlfriends. They had no reservations. Pigmay, who lived in this area, brought them the photos a few weeks later. However, the highlight was when it got dark and I used the flash. After each flash, there was a cheer, as if the home team in the stadium scored a goal.

The Niger is the third longest river in Africa. It rises in the Guinean Highlands and flows in a semicircle through West Africa before emptying into the Atlantic. It is 4180 km long and forms the lifeline of West Africa. In fact, the Niger is the most important waterway between the Sahara, the Sahel, and the tropical forests in Central Africa. The name Niger probably comes from the Latin word niger, which means black. Ptolemy already wrote about the "black river". The color comes from the mud that is washed up once a year by the floods on the banks and valleys. Then the Niger irrigates the dry savannas in the Sahel region in a huge inland delta. The water of the Niger is used for irrigation and power generation. On its long journey from its source in Guinea to its mouth in the Atlantic, the Niger enables rice and millet cultivation in five countries with its tributaries. With its tributary Pendjari, it ensures the preservation of extensive wildlife parks and nature reserves. Due to its many rapids, it is only suitable for navigation in sections.