|
A land of festivals and colors, Mali
hosts a lot of celebrations throughout
the year. Held according to different
seasons, ethnic customs and myths
specific to various regions, these
festivals are quite popular amongst
the locals as well as the foreigners
who visit this place to get a taste
of its culture and traditions. Festivals
such as the Sigui and Azalai have
hogged the limelight in recent years
and have proved to be a big hit amongst
the tourists. While some festivals
are restricted and can be taken part
in only by the inhabitants of the
land, there are many others which
are open to all. Moreover, with the
passage of time it is expected that
tourists from around the world would
be able to participate in various
festivals and cultural events.
Some of the major festivals of Mali
are as follows:
Dogon Mask Festival: The Dogon
Mask Festival is celebrated by the
Dogon people living in the Bandiagara
regions of central Mali. During the
course of this festival, the Dogons
recreate the large-scale view of the
universe and mythology passed on to
them by their ancestors. It is a very
popular belief among the Dogons that
the souls of the dead reside in these
masks which would help them to ward
off evil spirits and lead them to
a better life. During the Dogon Mask
Festival, men wearing masks stage
performances for five days which is
believed to make contacts with the
spiritual world. Masks also symbolize
Amma or the God of Creation. Hyena
masks as well as water buffalo masks
appear at the end of this festival
to foretell the future of Dogon.
Deegal: Every year in the villages
of Fulani of Mapti, a grand festival
of crossing of the cattles is arranged.
During this festival, young men are
assigned positions in the village
as per the report of their experiences.
Deegal is also of immense importance
for young girls of the land looking
forward to marriage. When all these
men eventually return, festivities
start in the village right from the
morning and continue till late into
the night. People sing, dance and
enjoy the festivities with much enthusiasm.
Deegal is also considered as a symbol
of honor by men for whom the “rites
of passage” is a step towards manhood.
Festival on the Niger: Every
year the Festival on the Niger is
held from the 1st till the 4th of
February along the banks of the Niger
River in Segou. A blend of exhilarating
music and dance performances by some
of the best known West-African artists,
the Festival
on the Niger showcases the culture
and tradition of the land.
For more information on other important
festivals that are celebrated in this
part of the world, keep scrolling
down the pages of .
|
