Travel Guide Kangaba

Located 100 km from Bamako, Kamablon is the holy town of Summoned. The city itself is not really attractive, but there are some interesting sites and beautiful walks to make. It is at the entrance of the city that twelve victorious kings ascribed allegiance to Soundjata Keita.Between Kamablon and the Guinean border you can observe hippos on the river. You need to know about the fishermen to find out where they are and, possibly, rent a canoe to approach them.The region is also known for its gold reserves and gold researchers. The traditional gold panning dominates in Summoned. Many tradesmen dig wells about ten metres deep to reach the water table. Between two wells, they dig a tunnel. The recovered rock is raised on the surface, where it is poured into a small artificial watercourse realized through the water of the well. After washing, the gourds come into play and wash this mud to find paillettes and gold nuggets. The life of tradesmen is very dangerous and difficult. Wells and tunnels can collapse at any time, and breeders do not find gold every day. In addition, this activity can only take place during the dry season, seven or eight months a year. Before digging a well, the Orpailleur consults one of the many féticheurs in Summoned, so that he can tell him the best place where he will have to dig after having sacrificed an animal. Malinké craftsmen are also very superstitious and do not work on Mondays or at night so as not to torment bad spirits. Every week, a merchant buys nuggets. More than one hundred thousand tradesmen live in these conditions in Mali. From Kamablon, the first manufacturers are in Salamalé, less than 10 km away, but there are much more in Kokoyo, 2,5 km to the right of Tambola, after Banankoro. Be careful, access is very difficult because there are thousands of holes. Ask a villager or your guide to accompany you. Besides tourist itineraries, the meeting with builders can be one of the highlights of your journey.