Bandiagara | |
---|---|
Commune and town | |
Location in Mali | |
Coordinates: 14°21′0″N 3°36′40″W / 14.35000°N 3.61111°WCoordinates: 14°21′0″N 3°36′40″W / 14.35000°N 3.61111°W | |
Country | Mali |
Region | Mopti Region |
Cercle | Bandiagara Cercle |
Elevation | 392 m (1,286 ft) |
Population (2009 census) | |
• Total | 25,564 |
Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) |
Bandiagara (French pronunciation: [bɑ̃djaɡaʁa]) is a small town and urban commune in the Mopti Region of Mali. The name translates roughly to "large eating bowl"—referring to the communal bowl meals are served in.
Bandiagara is 65 km east-southeast of Mopti. A seasonal river, the Yamé, flows in a northeasterly direction through the town. The population includes a number of different ethnic groups including Dogons, Fulani and Bambaras.
Bandiagara is said to have been founded in 1770 by Nangabanu Tembély, a Dogon hunter.
In 1864, Tidiani Tall, El Hadj Umar Tall's nephew and successor, chose Bandiagara as capital of the Toucouleur empire.
It is the birthplace of Malian authors Amadou Hampâté Bâ and Yambo Ouologuem.
In the music video for the song Reset by Three Trapped Tigers it is shown as the location of an alien rune.
The 19th century Maison toucouleurs in Bandiagara. Part of the Bandiagara Escarpment World Heritage Site in Mali
Market stalls in town
Dogon men