Things to see and do Mali

The site was classified as UNESCO World Heritage on 30 June 2004. It was built in 1495 by Emperor Askia, Mohamed Askia, after his pilgrimage to Mecca. Very well preserved, it also houses the bodies of ten imams. The pyramid structure of the building, erect with piles, contrasts with the cubic architecture of the terrace houses. Déchaussez you before you enter. From the top of the tomb, we have a magnificent view of the city and the desert. The price of the visit is CFAF 1 500.

Although it has existed since 1953, the current museum, funded by President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, was built by the French architect Jean-Loup Pivin in 1982. After extensive renovations, the museum was inaugurated in October 2003, in the presence of the Prince Aga Khan and Amadou Toumani Touré. It is now the second largest museum on the continent, after that of South Africa. Inspired by Djenné style buildings, this is an architectural success. On 1 700 m ² it houses splendid collections of art and ethnographic artefacts in Mali. Three permanent exhibitions allow you to have an idea of the diversity of Malian culture. The first, «the Mali Millennium», presents archaeological collections, results of excavations conducted in the country since the 1950 s. In addition to the prehistoric and tellem objects, you will discover the beautiful terracotta statuettes of Djenné and its region. The second room is devoted to traditional sculpture (statuettes and masks of Dogon, Bamanan, Senufo, Bwa, etc.) produced most often in the context of initiation societies whose rituals embody the life of the individual and society. The guide will explain the role of these objects in the initiation societies. Among the most beautiful pieces are the bobo androgynous statue representing happiness and prosperity, the sénoufo sénoufo, a symbol of fertility, the zoomorphes bamanan and sénoufo masks, whose role is to terrorize the envoûteurs, the ciwara dance crests, male and female, representing the antelope, the symbol of agility, and hommage and senufo. In the third room, on 600 m ², there is a remarkable exhibition of old and recent textiles, which gives an idea of the weaving and dyeing traditions in use in Mali. From basin to wool vêtements, you will find the entire range of textile production in the country. Some key pieces, such as the tilbi tilbi (embroidered embroidered, originating in Timbuktu and Djenné, demanding 3 years of work!), the large peuhl peuhl drapes and beautiful tellem and dogon pieces from the Falaise cliff. The museum hosts various temporary exhibitions and organizes screenings of films, workshops, musical entertainment every Thursday from to, free entrance…

Provide a tip for the guide. It also sells crafts, books, posters and postcards. You can enjoy lunch and drink fresh drinks.

In October 2010, the brand new national park was inaugurated. A huge green area through shady alleys, benches and fountains. We almost forget that we are in Africa. 1 500 FCFA the entry.

This is an important element of the military architecture. It was built by King Tiéba, anxious to have an overview on Sikasso so as not to be surprised by the enemy. A pyramid form and a height of 30 m, it now serves as a show stage and has a gallery of thousand places. From the Nipple, we have a very beautiful view of the large market.

The craft industry in all regions of Mali is represented in this vast market. Each part corresponds to a body of trades (weavers, leather leather, jewellers, wood sculptors, Tuareg blacksmiths…). Craftsmen work in front of you. The first prize given by the seller is still too high: divide it by three or four! Tuareg crafts are cheaper in Bamako than in Timbuktu. This is not the case in the craft of Mopti and Dogon country. You can make custom shoes and have the correct copy of a jewellery or leather bag, if you have a model or photograph, at a competitive price. There is little regret: the somewhat invasive presence of young people who want to sell you necklaces, take you to a shop…

Built in a built architecture, this space managed by Michel Bamia is dedicated to contemporary artistic creation. Michel is exciting: his comments, jubilant, demonstrate his perfect knowledge of African art. His desire is to convey to the public the unexplored treasures. Thus, the exposure he devotes to fetishes (until July 2009) finds his place in the midst of contemporary works. You can discover a fetishes box and some altars. These loaded objects and the worrying aspect make sense and ask about our own rituals.

In Segou, everyone knows Souleymane. This famous artist has great contemporary bogolans. He is regularly asked for fashion shows. The visit of his workshop, built in a typical red building in the region, is very rewarding. The bogolans, made in pure respect of tradition, come from vegetable dyes. A man works on an old loom, a woman file cotton by hand while others apply colours according to the chosen patterns. Cushions, tables, rafias… the choice is wide and the achievements very successful. You can admire these fabrics in the main gallery of the centre, but also sculptures, jewellery, bronzes and other paintings from the whole subregion. Beautiful view of Niger from the bar-restaurant where you can only use local specialities. Stage project to organize parades and welcome artists.

This centre was founded by designer Boubacar Doumbia, a true reference for contemporary bogolan. The explanations, clear and pedagogical, allow you to visualize the steps necessary for his manufacture. Each fabric expresses a message. You are invited to represent yours. A very entertaining and interesting workshop. The centre also has its shop. Fine achievements and reasonable rates.

Hosted by Amadou Anagaly Dolo, this agency is a real reference. She is specialist in Dogon country.

We strongly recommend this agency. Whatever circuit (organized or à la carte), you will not have a bad surprise. The team led by Issa Ballo is very professional. The 4 x 4 are in very good condition.

The market takes place every Monday in front of the mosque. It is very colourful and brings together all the merchants in the region. On Sunday evening and on Monday morning, multitudes of canoes, carts and trucks are tributary to Djenné. The stalls then filled millet, rice, dried fish, kola nuts, dairy products, salt bars, fabrics and loincloths. Part of the market is reserved for fulani shepherds selling their livestock. For the day of the fair, the peuhl women have beautiful gold jewelry, silver and amber. This is the best time to take them in photo, wearing loincloths and colourful boubous, touching and wearing gigantic earrings and rings in the nose. We really advise visitors to find themselves in Djenné that day, even though, in the high season, the number of tourists nights a little with the usual charm. In this context, it is advisable to arrive one day or two before, to be sure to find a room.

It is located in the west of the city. This cemetery dates from the French occupation of 1893. It is not of particular interest.

He is also known as the Moroccan well. This well was built by one of the Moroccan sovereigns of the city in the th century, as a gift to his favorite wife who did not accept to draw water with the other concubines. There are many legends about it. It would be a refuge for a protective genius in the city and would fill water when the city is under threat. It would also make it possible to communicate directly with Fez or to predict the future. Finally, water on Thursdays and Fridays would help to treat a large number of diseases.

During the construction of the city, the presence of the evil in the places was that any built house would drop immediately. . was studied then. The latter came to the conclusion that, in order to avoid evil, a vierge young virgin girl had to be sacrificed, otherwise the prosperity of the city could not be assured. The spell named the young Djénépo Tapama to be living in.

This small agency is led by Pascal Keita. This man of heart carries out solidarity activities throughout the country. In its brochure, traditional circuits (visit of the region of Segou, Dogon country…), à la carte or bird stud. A serious agency.

It is the tourist office, to have all the useful information about the city.

This is where the Islamic conqueror El Hadj Omar Tall disappeared in 1864.

The market is held every Thursday. It is the place of meetings of the peoples of the region, and a good opportunity to find beautiful things.

Built in 1933 by the Djenné masons under the direction of an administration clerk, this mosque has the same aspect as that of Djenné. Its renovation was funded by Prince Aga Khan IV.

The port is the busiest place in the city. The isolation of the northern regions makes the inland waterway very popular from Mopti, where water levels permit navigation throughout the year. The harbour is always crowded with canoes and pinasses. One of its parts is occupied by a repair and repair site for canoes. Around it is daily a market for dried or smoked fish. You can also observe the unloading of pinasses from Taoudéni mines, loaded with salt bars.

It is the largest market in Summoned. Visitors can, without constraint, walk between the colourful and picturesque displays of this market where one discovers local crafts and agricultural productions, fulani dairy products, bozo dried fish, loincloths and Guinean fabrics and many mangoes, which are the gold of Siby.

Every seven years the rehabilitation of the box is done by the Griots de, a village located 6 km south of Kamablon. The largest griots in Mali live or come from Kela. It is interesting to visit the village to better understand the culture of the country. It is possible to see traditional musical instruments. It is better to visit the place with a guide or a friend of Mali.

It served as a refuge for warriors. The great warrior Soumagourou Kanté reportedly disappeared. It is said to have turned into an eagle and haunting the hills of Koulikoro.

Located on the outskirts of the city, it is a beautiful hill with the rugged terrain of the city's protective genius, Nianan Koulou. The inhabitants of Koulikoro go to hope. Thus, the new brides, leaving the town hall, go to the sacred mountain to demand a happy and prosperous life.

One of the finest jewels of Sudanese colonial architecture. This building houses the ancestral know-how of the artisans of Mali. It is also a hotbed of new talents of artisans and artists influenced by our modernity and culture. In front of the craftsmen's house is the féticheurs market, where you find monkey heads and hands, buffalo and antelope paws, panther and hyena skulls, teeth and lion urine bottles, porcupine quills, in short, everything the sorcerer needs to get rid of the enemies of his or his customers. happiness and prosperity.

Located near the city hall of Bamako in the city centre, this is a new exhibition place.

Financed by Saudi Arabia, the mosque, with two futuristic minarets, can visit, but it is better to be accompanied by a Malian.

This little museum, devoted to Malian women, is really interesting. Through various traditional objects (jewelry, clothing, furnaces…), the museum presents the daily lives of women in the traditional villages of the country.

He specializes in food and used automotive parts. It is better to avoid walking after 15 h: meat and fish are starting to feel, and flies give their hearts.

Behind Lafiabougou you will discover a beautiful landscape of hills and small cliffs. During the rainy season, you can see very beautiful waterfalls.

The residence of the President of the Republic blew 100 candles in 2006. In 1903, Bamako became the capital of Mali. Work is then undertaken to accommodate administrative services.

In 1908, the governor moved to the palace, which was changed by its various residents. Even today, ATT is the cause of ongoing work to build new premises in this administrative city for the services of the Presidency General secretariat. The President's palace is regarded as one of the jewels of colonial architecture. It has all the characteristics of this type of architecture: large verandas with blinds, large pieces with huge ceilings, open on two fronts, east-west orientation for the shadow of facades… Besides the residence of the president and secretariat of the presidency, this set of administrative buildings also includes the banquet hall and the council of ministers, built by Alpha Oumar Konaré, the predecessor of ATT.

This market is more calm than the crossroads of craftsmen. Unfortunately it burned in 2009 and reconstruction is a little slow. Shops reappear one to one. Crafts are mainly reserved for professionals. While browsing well, the visitor should be able to find his happiness at much more interesting prices. Ask Baba Traoré's shop. Baba comes from a family of antique shops and turned into a pearl necklace. Ask him to take you to his gallery at the heart of the family concession (they are nearly cousins and cousins to live together!).

It is a modern, but desert market, because barely 10% of stores are open.

It is situated on a large sloping terrain between the grand stadium and the Hippodrome district. The visitor can take a walk in peace without unreasonable contact from both traders and other markets. It is also the cheapest market. Part of the market is devoted to coiffures: The women come to get plaiting and add mèches. This is a market for Malians: There may be fewer souvenirs (even though one finds one of the best fabrics at the best prices) but you can spend an excellent time, make pleasant encounters with a venelle. Inside the market, absolutely see the market for herbs. You can see a herbalist paid in traditional pharmacopoeia, or just admire the dispositions of dried plants. The open building is itself a real architectural success. Fabrizzio Carola, a renowned Italian architect, drew it. It also has the magnificent and confusing hotel Le Kambary de Bandiagara and part of the superb market of the artisans of Mopti.

It was a grave grave that was used to defeat enemies and undesirable people. In the past, this place also served to sacrifice human sacrifices.

The holy water of Kita could make you a billionaire!

Place of pilgrimage. The town of Kita would, according to its inhabitants, be the second religious city after Rome.

One of the first churches in the country, to visit. The construction was initiated by brother Jacques in 1890.

Diakassan Moussa was the son of Midia, of the family of Diakité, current chiefs of Bougouni. He served as ambassador to the king bambara of Segou. During his multiple journeys, Diakassan learned Arabic and converted to Islam. At his death, his parents remained animists, inhumèrent with his holy books, according to the fetishist custom. Before dying, Diakassan asked God that a tree grows at the bedside of his grave so that his soul is immortal. His wishes were fulfilled: A majestic balanzan stands next to his grave. This is where ritual sacrifices are taking place (kola, chickens, cattle…). These ceremonies are always led by the Dean of the Diakité Clan.

In this plain, more than three thousand people fell into one day under the bullets of Samory, emperor of Du.

These waterfalls, 25 km from Sikasso, are located on the road to Bobo-Dioulasso.

In Mali, according to tradition, the great personalities were buried in their own homes. These graves are still being vénération on the part of certain populations. This can be seen in the tombs of the father, mother and sister from Tiéba to Bougoula, 3 km from Sikasso. Tiéba's tomb lies inside the tata.

The Sikasso market is rich in artisanal and agricultural products. It is even the best supplied fruit and vegetable market in the country. There are sweet peas, yams, bananas, pineapples, oranges, potatoes… This market, which is taking place on Sunday, even attracts traders from Bamako, Segou, Mopti and neighbouring countries.

The love of culture, and more particularly of sénoufo culture, is in the eyes of Father Emilio. The man, peaceful and humanistic, tells us that he has lived in the villages of the region for over forty years and that, with his great regret, the historical memory of this people is becoming lost. Hence the idea of creating this Research Centre. An innovative, innovative project that has not received any grants since its creation in 2005. On the shelves of the library, documents carefully classified according to media and themes: audio cassettes reproducing wedding celebrations, translation of tales, photos of habitat, dances and daily life. A valuable legacy for this people of growers who turn to the oral tradition. The Centre also preserves and restores beautiful masks, statues and doors dating back to the th century. Father Emilio is not very proud to be able to exhibit them in a museum…

The Tata is the most remarkable and comprehensive model of West Africa's great fortresses. The visit of the Tata reveals, a century after the capture of Sikasso, the ingenuity with which the wall was built. A symbol of resistance to foreign occupation, the Tata allowed Tiéba to valiantly resist the-month siege of Samory, and Babemba to relentlessly repel the French.

The tourism office in the region. The services of a local guide can be requested. The reception is warm towards the visitor.

It allows for the development of water sports and fisheries. The Bozo left the area of Mopti to settle in Sélingué after the creation of the lake. Many bozo villages have settled on the banks. It is interesting to visit these villages, especially late in the afternoon, when fishermen bring the fish back.

2 km from the Hotel Club Sélingué. It produces electricity to feed the capital.

Less impressive than the Chutes falls, but much more accessible, it really is, especially during the rainy season, a site that is worth a detour. From Kayes, take the road to Sadiola, and after 8 km take a path on the left. You should arrive in the village of Diele. From there, just ask, you have almost arrived.

These are the main buildings in the city. They are built of stone size.

Very colourful and animated, it attracts traders and customers from all over the region. Along the faded walls of centuries-old buildings stands this crossroads of all shops and meetings. As a good neighbour, the Senegal River brings fresh fish.