Lagos, Nigeria

The village is on the shores of the lagoon – known as Badagry Creek – to the west of Lagos – an hour or so in a fast boat from Lagos port. The occasion was the Chief’s birthday after more than 30 years in Nigeria. We swam in the Atlantic breakers and then enjoyed a feast prepared by Fati and his friend.

This was a refuge from the noise and pressures of Lagos. The nearby village’s children were delightful and happy to pose for pictures.

The village also arranged for Ju Ju dancer to come. He was a water spirit who entranced the children with his arrival by water disguised as a bed of reeds, his wild dance around the village, and his final vanishing act before their astonished eyes.