The Hyena Men of Nigeria

This is a fascinating article about a group of people in Nigeria:

 

 Abdullahi Mohammed with Mainasara, Lagos, Nigeria 2005

This piece is a follow-up from an earlier article. Here is a quotation (the speaker is the photographer, Pieter Hugo) that caught my interest:

"Many animal-rights groups also contacted me, wanting to intervene (however, the keepers have permits from the Nigerian government). When I asked Nigerians, 'How do you feel about the way they treat animals', the question confused people. Their responses always involved issues of economic survival. Seldom did anyone express strong concern for the well-being of the creatures. Europeans invariably only ask about the welfare of the animals but this question misses the point. Instead, perhaps, we could ask why these performers need to catch wild animals to make a living. Or why they are economically marginalised. Or why Nigeria, the world’s sixth largest exporter of oil, is in such a state of disarray."
- Text by Pieter Hugo

"As unemployment and poverty continue to bite in Nigeria, youths in particular must devise inventive ways of making money for survival. ‘I’ve been in this business since childhood,’ said Abdullahi Mohammed, a quiet young man who is responsible for a baboon called Frayo. ‘This animal has helped us. The money we make gives us food every day. This runs into a few thousand naira.’"
- Text by Adetokunbo Abiola

What was your initial reaction to the image?

Abdullahi Mohammed with Mainasara, Ogere-Remo, Nigeria 2007


Photos by Pieter Hugo.


Found via Pinterest.