In traditional beliefs animal body parts hold powers which can be used for healing, divinations or other magical practices involving bribing or otherwise pleasing entities from another world.
Ian Edwards from Department of Anthropology at University of Oregon describes his fieldwork in Mali in his blog Adventures in Bamako. It features very interesting photos Mr. Edwards took during his research on wildlife market in Bamako.
These photos were taken by me in Bamako at Mara Bagga Yorro, an illigal animal body parts or "fetish" market, admittedly marked on a map in the Rough Guide West Africa, but definitely not waiting there purely for a tourist gaze. There are many ingredients available. Among others:
Ian Edwards from Department of Anthropology at University of Oregon describes his fieldwork in Mali in his blog Adventures in Bamako. It features very interesting photos Mr. Edwards took during his research on wildlife market in Bamako.
These photos were taken by me in Bamako at Mara Bagga Yorro, an illigal animal body parts or "fetish" market, admittedly marked on a map in the Rough Guide West Africa, but definitely not waiting there purely for a tourist gaze. There are many ingredients available. Among others:
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| skulls of birds, dried chameleons, cola nuts and shells |
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| porcupine spikes, horns and herbs |
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| heads of rodents and other small mammals |
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| crocodiles and lizards |