In cramped conditions, but not offended: the most overpopulated island on the planet!
Migingo is the most densely populated island in Africa's great lake. Its area is less than half the size of a football field with 400 people living on it. Well, as they say, in cramped quarters, but not offended ...
12 PHOTOS
1. The Migingo area occupies only 1.8 thousand square meters. m., however, about 400 people have been crowding and getting along on it for many years (and this is only according to the latest data). People here live in catastrophic conditions by today's standards: in tiny shacks made of wood and corrugated sheets.
2. Despite the small size of the island, its inhabitants are very proud of how developed the infrastructure is in their habitat. Migingo has as many as 5 bars, a beauty salon, a pharmacy, several hotels, as well as many brothels.
3. Kenyan fishermen Dalmas Tembo and George Kibebe were the first to set foot on the island in 1991. They then held the ceremony of expelling the evil spirit Kalele, which the close inhabitants believed and for which the small island surrounded by the waters of Lake Victoria was considered home.
4. Before asking the old sorcerer to expel the evil spirit from the island, they generously paid him extra. This ceremony cost the fishermen 300 kg of fish. Later they were joined by about 60 more Africans from neighboring countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
5. Africans were especially willing to move here when they found out that Migingo is an incredibly fishy place. In addition, new guests were attracted by the possibility of creating their own small "state" (or commune), where everyone would live in absolutely equal conditions, without evil and injustice.
6. When the population of Migingo reached 131 people, the first settlers of the island decided not to accept anyone else into their small prosperous trading "state".
7. The main catch here is the Nile perch. Over 100 fishing boats come out to hunt this fish every morning. Thus, the fishermen of Migingo are able to earn about 250-300 dollars per day. This amount is 3-4 times higher than the earnings of people on neighboring islands per month.
8. Migingo Island is still considered a disputed territory between Kenya and Uganda. During the entire existence of Migingo, both countries entered into armed conflicts over their territory 9 times.
9. Now people in Migingo were allowed to live independent lives in their small commune, but for a peaceful existence, they demanded payment of taxes to both countries. Thus, the inhabitants of Migingo must give approximately 60% of their income to taxes, and yet the people there live much better than the people on the neighboring islands.
10. An interesting fact is that next to the island of Migingo, just 200 meters away is another, larger island of Usingo. Despite the much larger living area compared to Migingo, Usingo is still uninhabited.
11. Africans believe that an evil spirit named Tuk also lives on the island of Usingo. In addition, the people fear that the spirit of Kalele, expelled from Migingo, could also move there. Since the inhabitants of Migingo have not yet been able to find such a strong sorcerer who could expel these 2 spirits, and even such strong ones, they have to crowd on their tiny island.
12. Usingo, like Minigo, is a disputed territory between Kenya and Uganda, but because of the sinister spirits that live on it, soldiers from both armies cannot even stop and set foot on the island. But nevertheless, a couple of buildings on the island are still erected. They are used by researchers and scientists who come here to study the nature of the islands and waters of Lake Victoria, as well as observe the locals.
Keywords: Cramped conditions | Overpopulated islands | Islands | People | Population | Nations | Lifestyles | Society | Planet