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| In Mali, festival events are frequently
held according to the seasons, ethnic customs, and myths specific
to the different regions. While many are not open to the public,
there also exist numerous festivals that people from outside
can experience. Such well known festivals as the Sigui and Azalai
have tended to be popular with tourists in recent years, due
to the perception that the true culture of Mali's diverse ethnic
groups can be experienced by observing ethnic events such as
these. In the future, it is anticipated that visitors to Mali
will be able to partake in a variety of other cultural experiences.
The existence in Mali of historical remains and animals not found
in other African countries, presents the opportunity for ecotourism
that makes the most of such features. |
 Dogon
mask festivals |
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The Dogon people, living on a huge
escarpment in the Bandiagara area of central Mali, are known
for their myths, cosmology, and mask dances. The Dogon recreate
the large-scale view of the universe and mythology passed down
from their ancestors through mask dances performed at funeral
ceremonies, the Sigui festival held every sixty years, and the
Dama ceremony held once every twelve years to worship the spirits
of their ancestors.
During the Dama ceremony, the men retreat into caves to mourn the souls
of those who have died in the past twelve years, where they make masks.
The souls of the dead are said to reside in the masks,  giving
them the power to ward off evil spirits. For five days, men wearing these
masks stage performances, having run down narrow paths from the cliff tops.
The ceremony features sirige masks that bind the spiritual world with the
world of the living, and masks symbolizing Amma the god of creation. Water
buffalo and hyena masks appear toward the end of the ceremony to tell the
Dogon's future. After the ceremony, the souls of the dead are recognized
as ancestors protecting the Dogon. |
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| Deegal
(Cattle crossing festival) |
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 Every
year an enormous festival accompanying the crossing of the cattle
is held in the villages of the Fulani of Mopti. This festival
celebrates the return of the herders who set out to drive their
cattle across the Sahel. According to Fulani custom, young men
spend a year away from their village herding cattle, and on their
return they report their experiences. The evaluation of these
reports has great bearing on the subsequent position of these
young men in village life. This festival is also of great interest
to prospective wives. On the day that the men return, the whole
village is in festival mode from morning till night. There is
eating, singing and dancing, and the air pulses with energy of
people interacting. For the young Fulani men it is an honor to
participate in the herding, this being one of the "rites
of passage" to attaining manhood. |
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| The
festival and event of Mali |
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Crepissage
de la grande mosquee de Djenne ...Every year
(April)
Place :Djenné
Content :Festival held by people of Djenne and regions around Djenne
Sogo Bo de Markala ...Every
year
Place :Markala
Content :Puppets from Markala are displayed.
Deegal ...Every year
Place :Diafarabé (Mopti)
Content :Homecoming celebration for Furani Tribe's youth from trip to Sahara
Sigui ...Once
a 60 years
Place :Pays Dogon - Sangha et environs
Content :Religious celebration
Sogolon sortie de marionnettes de Kayes ...Every
year (November - December)
Place :Kayes
Content :Festival of Somono Tribe to float dolls down the Senegal River
Nugu Mô ...Every
year (May - June)
Place :entre Kangaba et Kéla
Content :Festival of mask dances and ceremonies celebrating fishing
Dama du pays Dogon ...Every
year (June)
Place :pays Dogon
Content :Mask dances by Dogon Tribe
Mariage de Banamba ...Every
year (June)
Place :Banamba
Content :Traditional joint wedding ceremony
Biré [hangar] ...Once
a 7 years
Place :Nara (Koulikoro)
Content :Traditional festival to decide the head of a village
Refection du toit de la case sacrée
de Kangaba ...Once
a 7 years (It is 1996 to have been carried out at the end.)
Place :Kangaba
Content :Holy community festival held in Jeri's holy place
Karosotigui ...Every
year
Place :Ballé
Content :Parade of Maurud puppets
Koré ...Once
a 7 years
Place :Zambougou Béléko (cercle Dioila)
Content :Community celebration of initiation
Manian ...Every
year
Place :Diana (arr. Béléko)
Content :Community festival for children
N'Koson ...Every
year (March)
Place :Farabougou Degnékoro (arr. Dioila)
Content :Community celebration of initiation
Tiéblétié ...Once
a 3 years
Place :Nonkon, Bassala, Dankorola (cercle de Kolokani)
N'Da
Place :Nonko, Wolokoro (arr. Nonzombaya)
Content :Festival for hunters
Diarawara ...Every
year (November)
Place :Bouala Monzon (arr. Séhbété Banamba)
Content :Festival of puppets
Dialloubé ...Every
year
Place :Dialloubé (Mopti)
Content :Homecoming celebration for Fulani Tribe's youth from
trip to Sahara
Takoubelt ...Every
year
Place :région de Kidal
Content :Music and handcrafts festival
Temakanite de Tombouctou ...Every
year
Place :Cercle de goundam
Content :Music and handcrafts festival |
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Economical
situation
