19/07/2026
Kolo Aikoung Stream – The Lifeline of Kolo
One of my favourite places in Kolo is Kolo Aikoung Stream, a beautiful stream that flows through the farming areas below the village. As I mentioned before, the farms are located beneath Kolo on the lower mountain slopes, and this stream is fed by several natural springs from Kolo and other streams flowing down from the surrounding mountains.
The water is incredibly clean, fresh, and crystal clear. It is one of the community's most valuable natural resources. People come here every day to fetch drinking water, wash their clothes, water their gardens, and cool off after working on their farms. Livestock such as goats, sheep, and cattle also depend on this stream, making it a true lifeline for both the people and their animals.
As I knelt down to wash my hands in the cool flowing water, I couldn't help but appreciate how nature continues to provide for the people who live here. There is something peaceful about hearing nothing but the sound of running water, birds singing, and the gentle breeze passing through the forest.
But my visit also left me with mixed emotions.
I learned about a traditional hunting event known as "Wuriwal." During this event, hunters from different villages gather with their weapons and spread out across the forest. They move through the bush from different directions, driving wild animals toward a designated area where the hunters are waiting. Once the animals reach that point, they are surrounded and hunted.
The practice is largely done to protect farms from crop damage and to reduce the risk of dangerous encounters between people and wild animals. I understand why communities feel the need to protect their livelihoods, especially when farming is their main source of food and income.
However, I also couldn't ignore the environmental cost.
Healthy forests need healthy wildlife. Wild animals play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature. They help disperse seeds, control plant growth, and keep ecosystems functioning as they should. When too many animals disappear, the forest itself begins to change.
During my entire journey through Guinea, I travelled through some of the thickest forests I have ever seen. I expected to see monkeys, antelopes, warthogs, or at least some signs of larger wildlife. But I didn't encounter a single wild animal. That was one of the saddest parts of my trip.
Africa is blessed with incredible biodiversity, and I believe we must find ways to protect both our communities and our wildlife. Farmers deserve to protect their crops, but conservation is equally important. The future of our forests depends on finding a balance between people and nature.
Standing beside Kolo Aikoung Stream reminded me that nature gives us everything we need clean water, fertile land, fresh air, and life itself. It is our responsibility to make sure we protect it, so that future generations can experience the same beauty that we enjoy today.
This is the Africa I want to share through Unveil Africa, not just the beautiful landscapes, but the real stories, the traditions, the challenges, and the conversations that inspire us to preserve the continent for generations to come.
