“Travel and change of place imparts new vigour to the mind.” - Seneca

An introduction to Mali

2010-06-08T14:52:00.007+01:00

With tourism becoming a top priority for the Malian government, the need to further develop this sector continues. With offers of breathtaking historical sites, culture, a wealth of history and an Airport located 20 minutes from the capital, Bamako, it is a one stop shop to a cultural experience.

The West African country also shares its borders with countries such as Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Ivory Coast making for easy access for this interested in further travel across West Africa. The ideal time to visit Mali is from November to January and with three world heritage sights in Mali namely Timbuktu (the historic city), Djenne (home to the architectural specimen –that is the great mosque and other mud brick buildings) and Bandiagara (perfect for its beautiful landscapes). The official language is French with only a few people speaking English.

Markets

Mopti, the vibrant marketing hot spot of Mali, where people from all over Mali come to trade, then there’s Bamako, apart from the vibrancy of culture, history and artefacts(the capital) offering a number of shops with displays of local wares.

Timbuktu once the historical trading centre for salt and gold in the 13th century is also a well known historical trade route. The city not only has its historical wealth but also has local market that offers crafts for the tourists.

Djenne’s market is not just about crafts and artefacts but it’s the market for a array of items varying from food to clothes to crafts and it helps that the market is located close to the stunning specimen of the Mud brick Mosque .

Historical and Heritage Sites

Timbuktu, the renowned city in Mali is one of the most sort after sites as a tourist destination in Mali. The famous city offers fascinating architecture consisting of unique mud brick buildings and as well as its stance on being a city has been able to exist in the Sahara desert speaks volumes.

Mali also boasts of the the largest mud building in the world: The Great Mosque of Djenné first built in the 13th century, which has consequently been reconstructed ever since,The Mosque is easily one of the most beautiful and fascinating buildings in the West of Africa.

The Bandiagara Village in Mali is occupied by the Dogons people but history suggests that it was previously occupied by the Tellem people. Apart from the richness in cultural heritage you also have homes built into structures as well as the multitude of interesting artefacts.

Other places of interest of Mali include:

Musee National located in Bamako showcases the history of Mali with displays some archaeological artefacts, statues and other things of attraction.

Dyingerey Ber Mosque is believed to have been constructed in the 14th century and is one of the oldest mosques in the city of Timbuktu and with believed reconstructions it is unclear how much of the original building is still in existence.

Other activities

Fishing

The two largest rivers in West Africa, namely The Niger and The Senegal cross Mali allowing it a range of activities including fishing. Fishing and cruises along the Niger River is an activity of choice.

To get around you have the choice of the local taxis, private hire, buses, boat (with a provision from Guinea via the Senegal River) as well as trains but it is essential to check schedules.

For more Information on holidays to Mali:

see: Responsible Travel which currently has 16 holidays to Mali

see: West Africa Discovery

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Why West Africa?

This is a region that has had influences from all over the world. At some point– The French, The Germans, The Portuguese, The British, and The Netherlands all explored this vast region .

The countries making up West of Africa as a result all have strong similarities in the path bestowed upon them: colonisation, language, culture, food, art, clothing. A siginificant similarity is present in the case of The Fulani, the largest nomadic group in the World which are largely dispersed across West Africa. They can be found in countries such as Nigeria, Togo Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Trivia on some parts West Africa

The slave trade is one of the most poignant parts of the history of West Africa with Colonisation ringing across most of these countries. With influences from the French, English and Portuguese which led to an extraordinary partitions and changes within these countries.

Apart from a plethora of history and arts. It possesses a richness of culture: With the Asantes from Modern Ghana, to the Empire of Sokoto, to terracotta objects from Benin city to artefacts from Ife, West Africa is fortunate. (For more on Ife See the exhibition currently on show at the British Museum till the 6th of June)

The Republic of Benin, a French Colony was originally the Kingdom of Dahmoney. Benin had trading posts at Porto Novo and Cotonou where slaves were traded for weapons.

Ghana not to be confused with the Empire of Ghana (present day Mali) is believed to have some ancestoral links to the Empire. Modern day Ghana was to be colonised by Britain but the Portuguese again were the first to arrive.

The Gambia, the Oldest English Speaking Country in West Africa is beginning to thrive in upping its stake as tourist destination. The best selling book, “Roots” by American author Alex Haley used Gambia to showcase the slave trade from this area. Tours are now available allowing tourists to travel up the River Gambia to some of the landmarks.

Mali: The largest country is home to one of the oldest cities in West Africa Once a French Colony, Mali is also home to the ancient city of Timbuktu. Timbuktu became a centre point with traders from other parts of the world came to trade to goods such as books and gold.

Nigeria: with the largest population of any country in Africa it has the largest number of cultures and empires than any other African country, with its historic empires such as The Benin Empire, The Kingdom of Nri, The Northern Empire and the Oyo Empire.

Mauritania initially explored by the Portuguese, was one of the previous colonies that constituted French West Africa. With strong ties with its Northern Africa counterparts Hassaniya Arabic and French are the official languages spoken in Mauritania.

Sierra Leone; The Sierra Leone river is one of the places where Slaving ships from the trading European countries put in trade with the local rulers for their cargo of slaves. Again the Portuguese where the first to explore this land but it was soon to become a British colony but before this it’s capital Freetown already relinquished to the British was used as a home to the blacks in the armed forces and runaway slaves.

I will expand more on the bountiful history of these countries and others in posts to come. For the next post I will be blogging on Festivals across West Africa to further highlight the richness in culture and history.

Introduction...

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Welcome to the traveltourexplore blog, your first stop shop for all you need to know about West Africa. My aim really is to counteract negative depictions that are mostly unsubstantiated and unpleasant, which takes away from the splendour that is 'West Africa'.

To introduce this blog we take a look at a person that played a pivotal role in the history of West Africa, Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. Ajayi Crowther had an accomplishment story that is slowly and without doubt being mirrored and epitomised by West Africa. Even with a past entwined with slavery, Bishop Ajayi Crowther was opportuned, which paved the way for a fulfilled future.

Born in Osogun (located in Oyo State) in the West of

Nigeria

, Ajayi Crowther was sold off as a child slave at the age of 12.

He was one of the slaves later freed and sent back to Sierra Leone. (Visit West Africa Discovery for my article on

Sierra Leone

) In the 1820's he joined the CMS (Church Missionary Society) in Freetown, Sierra Leone where he was to learn English and also convert to Christianity.

He was later to become one of the first students to attend the Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone (the oldest university in the West Africa)He was to become the first African Anglican Bishop of the Anglican Church in 1864.

Before his death in 1891 he translated the English Bible into Yoruba (a language from the West of Nigeria) as well as translations in other languages.

A fond memory at secondary school in

Nigeria

was the name Ajayi Crowther being used when teasing a friend. You would refer to them as ‘Ajayi’ or ‘Ajayi Crowther’. Ajayi Crowther’s name was used to depict a person who was thought to be ‘over’ eager, ‘extremely’ keen or even ‘over’ enthusiastic or that took extra step. This was in no way used in a derogatory way or used to diminish his role. On the contrary the name was sort of an emphasis/ subconscious respect.To an extent this act of playful childish reference only further highlighted not only his importance in our history but also the importance of Ajayi Crowther in the history of West Africa.

My point here is that although we gave his name a different connotation, the fact is the name and the person no matter what context always played a pivotal role. Bishop Ajayi Crowther had a purpose driven life that depicted his keenness, his eagerness and his enthusiasm and fundamentally the humility of his character. It is on the backdrop of people like Ajayi Crowther that West Africa is shaped on.

With this in mind, this blog will specifically highlight what West Africa is all about, what it has to offer and consequently create an enthusiasm that will bring West Africa to the top of this 'perception' battle.