Farafina Tigne - Ségou

About 235 km east from Bamako, Ségou is one of Mali’s larger, more important cities. Located on the Niger River, Ségou has always been of economic importance along the river's trade routes. It was the capital for French occupation and the location for the Office du Niger. This project sought to provide France with raw materials such as cotton. Although a dam was built, the canals were never finished. Cotton was eventually abandoned and replaced with the planting of rice and sugarcane in its stead.

Ségou is strung out lazily along the riverbank, a place where time slows down. With its languid and slow-paced charm, there’s an unmistakeable sense that it remains a village in disguise. With its wide avenues, faded colonial buildings and nearby river excursions, it’s a wonderful place to relax and rest from life on the African road. Each year the town plays host to the 'Festival on the River', a celebration of Malian art and culture. On Mondays, there is a large market selling everything from foodstuffs to textiles and handicrafts. A large number of tourists from different corners of the globe come to Ségou in Mali every year. One of the prime attractions on a tour to Ségou is visiting the various places of interest in the city. A number of craft villages are found throughout the area. ... Click here for more.