MALI
HISTORY
The Republic of Mali is a North-Western extensive African country cocooned in the heart of Africa between seven states namely Algeria, Niger, Upper Volta, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania. The territory which now makes up the state of Mali was once was the renowned West African Empires which regulated trans-Saharan trade in gold salt and various other merchandise. This beautiful agriculture dominated country broke the shackles of subordination from French rule in 1960 and struggled to gain footage as independent nation. It withstood 23 years of military dictatorship with reigns in the hand of Moussa Traore until he was toppled in a coup in 1991 by Amadou Toumani Toure’ and to civilian Parliamentary democratic rule till today. The natives derive a sense of pride from Songay and Malian Empires of the distant past.
GEOGRAPHY
The country’s landscape is astonishing. The natural division of the land is the cultivated southern Sudanese, semi-arid central Sahelian, and the arid Saharan northern part. The northern part is hot and dry as it is covered by Sahara desert whereas the western side is bushy savanna with abundant rainfall. The topology is flat and raised plateau. The river Niger with several of its channel flows 1500 kilometers through the central vestibule of the country. It is the lifeline of the country and eventually terminates into the Gulf of Guinea Trade and agriculture is concentrated along the route. The river water is used for drinking, irrigation, and transportation. The other important river is Senegal.
CLIMATE
The climate is as varied as its landscape. The three principle seasons are the blazing months of March to June, followed by the humid monsoon months from June to October and the moderate and refreshing months henceforth..
TOURIST ATTRACTION
The mere mention of Mali brings to vision the typical description of Lawrence of Arabia of pink sandstone villages and elegantly done mosque and the flamboyant costumes supplemented by jewellery. Some traditions of ancient African tribal culture have changed while others linger on.
There is rich tourist attraction spots and venue in the country. It has rich cultural heritage, ancient cities, and mud archaeological sites. Tourist enjoys the country’s mountains, river, desert and plains. It has natural beauty for every eye. The major towns are Bamako, Sikasso, Segou, Mopti, Koutiala, Kayes and Gao. The towns are full of colorful markets and colourful robed people.
Mali is easy approachable from any of the surrounding nations. On the north bank of Niger is situated the capital city of Barnako. The main attraction here is the Musee National, zoo, botanical garden, and the kaleidoscopic markets. At street ends are ample restaurants and some hotels in the middle of daily life.
Djenne a 14th century business center adjoining river Bani has the biggest mud mosque. It is famous for its weekly markets. The charisma of the town is its colorful mud houses covered with thatched roof and wooden shutters on windows the doors decorated with paints. The creativity is eye catching.
European pathfinders arrived at Timbuktu in the beginning of the 19th century. Now it is a mud built town with a population of 20,500 on the periphery of Sahara. It was a major stop on the trans-Saharan route through Mali. It is a commercial center for salt and other merchandise. Camel ride from Timbuktu till the Tuareq camps transports the tourist to Arabian night experience. Tours cater to overnight desert stay amidst sand dunes. Not far away is Mopti.
Mopti a fishing village and a commercial hub is situated at the junction where three islands merge into Niger and Bani River. It has fresh air scenic beauty and markets full of traditional souvenir. It is close to the Dogon Country; a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is sandstone escarpment of the Falaise de Bandiagara. The remains of primitive settlers of Niger River valley existed here. Dogon Country offers the adventure of hiking and trekking. This is the best way to
Explore the place. River cruise is very popular among the tourist especially during the months of August November; A famous mosque exist here.
Segou is a town existing since 1620. It has its native pottery, and fishing. Tourist visit the local mosque and
Coulibaly’s tomb.
It is a shrine for music lovers; some trace the origin of American blues to this land. As regards Mali its musical lineage connects it to Griots. Many African music stars have originated from this place. Each year there is the Festival in the Desert at Essakane where music talent is appreciated and discovered.
Most tourist come up with there own itinerary which includes the main cities, Dogon County and Timbukto. Many visitors are business tourist. The chief cash crop is cotton, maize, groundnuts, manioc and yams. Sheep goats and cattle are raised; some of the livestock are exported. It is a country with rich mineral deposits; these include phosphates, manganese, iron ores, gold, rock salt, marble, uranium, gypsum, and granite. Not all deposits are processed and utilized. Some are commercially not viable. Food processing is an important industry here. Cotton, livestock and gold is exported. The road network is well developed; but the railway lines have still to make progress. Koulikoro on river Niger close to Bamako is the main river port.
NATION CONFIGRATION
The national composition comprises of Bambara, Mandingo, Songhai, Tuaregs, and twenty three ethnic groups out of which the Mande is the largest group. Majority of the population is Bambara speaking. Religion practiced is predominately Muslim. 90% of the 11 million people are Muslim. Greater number of people resides in rural area. Currency in use is Mali franc. French is still the official language but many local African languages are part of the land.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The international understanding of the country is effective especially at the regional level with France and other countries of the EU. Its trade ties lie with China, Pakistan, Italy, Germany, India, Bangladesh, France, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire. However the country is struggling to emerge from issues like deforestation, soil erosion, poaching, desertification, droughts, and insufficient supply of portable water. Hydro power production is ample for country’s needs. The Niger River flooding is not uncommon. The dry season has numerous hot dust laden hazes. A vast stretch of the land is barren but there is food for the people because of the fertile basin of river Niger.
HUMBLE WELCOME
It is a humble country with limited resources and constrained modern amenities; it is still a popular tourist destination with vivid magical description in our mind of its charismatic past. Still visible are the trade camel caravans from Tuaregs with in customary adorned robes masters. Many tourists enjoy joy ride on them.
There are many good hotels for stay. The tourists appreciate the untouched culture and the varied natural surroundings. Seeing the nomadic Tuareg robed in indigo colour with matching turbans leading the camel caravans is a dream sight of life time for the tourist. The sound of Griots playing the age old rosewood Kora is very soothing and relaxing. The journey is incomplete without a visit to the multi hued market of Djenne. Seeing all this the tourist also concede like the locals, ‘salt comes from the north, silver from the whit man’s land, but the word of God, wisdom and the most beautiful stories ever heard come from Timbuktu…’.
Click to Hide