SMALL BOATS ON RIVER; CATTLE AT WATER'S EDGE; CATTLE WITH HERDSMEN; CATTLE SWIM; MORE BULLS IN WATER; CATTLE ON SHORE AND UP BANK.




Initials LH/VS/MR/PF



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Background: EIGHT THOUSAND BULLOCKS LAST WEEK SWAM ACROSS THE DIAKA RIVER IN MALI DURING THE PEUL PEOPLE'S ANNUAL TREK FROM SAHOEL TO RICHER PASTURES IN THE SOUTH. THEY STOPPED AT THE LITTLE MUD VILLAGE OF DIAFARABE WHICH IS ON AN ISLAND AT THE JUNCTION OF THE NIGER AND DIAKA RIVERS.

DIAFARABE HOUSES A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE BUT THE CATTLE OUTNUMBER THE INHABITANTS. FOR FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR THESE PEOPLE LIVE ON SAVANNAH AREAS HERDING THEIR CATTLE FROM ONE WATER WELL TO ANOTHER.

BUT WHEN THE DRY SEASON COMES THEY RETURN TO THE SOUTH STOPPING AT THE VILLAGE FOR A FEW DAYS. THEY LIVE WITH PEOPLE OF THE BOZOS TRIBE WHO ARE FISHERMEN AND WHO HAVE MADE A BLOOD ALLIANCE WITH THE PEUL.

TO REACH DIAFARABE TAKES 12 HOURS. THIS INCLUDES FOUR HOURS BY CANOE. THE VILLAGE IS SEPARATED FROM NEIGHBOURING MALI BY THE RIVER BORDER.

THE BOZOS TRIBE ONCE PROVIDED PEUL WARRIORS WITH FAST CANOES FOR THEIR PROTECTION. ON LEAVING THE MACINA REGION THE PEUL BUILT UP A HUGE EMPIRE UNDER CHIEF SEKOU-AHMACOU FROM 1810-1844.