Ségou
Ségou | |
---|---|
Communeand town | |
![]() View of Ségou | |
Location withinMali | |
Coordinates:13°27′N6°16′W/ 13.450°N 6.267°W | |
Country | ![]() |
Region | Ségou |
Cercle | Ségou Cercle |
Area | |
• Total | 37 km2(14 sq mi) |
Elevation | 294 m (965 ft) |
Population (2009 census)[2] | |
• Total | 130,690 |
• Density | 3,500/km2(9,100/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+0(GMT) |
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Tombe_Biton_Coulibaly.jpg/250px-Tombe_Biton_Coulibaly.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Palais_d%27Ahmadou_%C3%A0_S%C3%A9gou.jpg/250px-Palais_d%27Ahmadou_%C3%A0_S%C3%A9gou.jpg)
Ségou(French pronunciation:[seɡu];Bambara:ߛߋߜ߭ߎ߫,Segu) is a town and anurban communein south-centralMalithat lies 235 kilometres (146 mi) northeast ofBamakoon the right bank of theRiver Niger.The town is the capital of theSégou Cercleand theSégou Region.With 130,690 inhabitants in 2009, it is the fifth-largest town in Mali.
The village of Ségou-Koro, 10 km (6.2 mi) upstream of the present town, was established in the 17th century and became the capital of theBambara Empire.
History
[edit]In the middle of the 19th century there were four villages with the name of Ségou spread out over a distance of around 12 km (7.5 mi) along the right bank of the river. They were, starting from the most upstream, Ségou-Koro (Old Ségou), Ségou-Bougou, Ségou-Koura (New Ségou) and Ségou-Sikoro. The present town is on the site of Ségou-Sikoro.[3][4]
The village of Ségou-Koro prospered afterBiton Mamary Coulibalybecame king in 1712 and founded theSégou Empire(also known as the Bambara or Bamana Empire).Mungo Parkbecame the first European known to have visited the village in 1796.[5]The empire gradually declined and was conquered byEl Hadj Umar Tall'sToucouleur Empirein 1861,[6]then by theFrench ArmyColonelLouis Archinardin 1890.[7]
Origin
[edit]Ségou has contested origins. Some claim that the word Ségou come from "Sikoro", meaning to the foot of ashea butter tree.Others argue that it was named after Cheikou, amaraboutwho founded the city, while still other theories support the claim that Ségou was founded by the Bozo fishermen coming from the north in the 4th century, who established their villages along the Niger River.
The 11th century CE saw an influx of theSoninke people,who were trying to escape from the collapse of theGhana Empire,withMandinkapopulations following.
Bambara Empire
[edit]Around 1650Kaladian Coulibalyoverthrew the ruling Koita dynasty and established a powerful if short-lived kingdom with Ségou-Koro as capital.[8][9]
One of Koulibaly's great-grandsons,Mamary Coulibaly,also known as Bitòn, became the chief of històn,an association of men, sometime after 1700. By 1712, Bitòn had used his military strength to displace local elders and expand the Bambara Empire. In the subsequent decades, he expanded its territory to encompass regional commerce centers such asMacinaandDjenné.The city ofTimbuktuwould become atributary stateto Bitòn's Bambara Empire.[10]At this time Segou was capital of the Bambara Empire,[11][12]and a distinct urban architecture began to emerge at Ségou Koro, includingmosques.[10]
After Bitòn's death in 1755 a period of instability followed, during which the capital of the Empire moved to Gassin.[9]In 1766Ngolo Diarra,a former slave and warrior, took control the Bambara Empire and inaugurated a period of prosperity. Ngolo Diarra established the Diarra dynasty, which ruled Ségou until the mid-19th century.[8][10]He moved the kingdom's capital from Segou-Koro to Ségou-Sikoro, close to the site of the current city.[9]
Mungo Park,passing through Segou in 1797 recorded a testament to the Empire's prosperity:
The view of this extensive city, the numerous canoes on the river, the crowded population, and the cultivated state of the surrounding countryside, formed altogether a prospect of civilization and magnificence that I little expected to find in the bosom of Africa.[13]
Toucouleur Empire
[edit]On March 10, 1861, the MuslimToucouleurleader,El Hadj Oumar Tall,conquered the town.[11][14][6]On his death in 1864, he was succeeded by his sonAhmadu Tall.[citation needed]Ahmadu had to deal with Bambara rebellions and challenges from his brothers.[citation needed]Ahmadu continued to rule until the town's conquest by theFrench,[citation needed]when forces led by ColonelLouis Archinardentered the town on April 6, 1890.[14][15]
French colonial rule
[edit]France attempted indirectly ruling Ségou until March 13, 1893, when they incorporated the town as the capital of a localcercle.[14]Ségou continued to serve as a regional commercial center throughout French rule.[14]
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Women with food for sale in dishes on their heads, Niger River bank, Segou 1972
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Four men wash clothes in the Niger River, Segou 1972.
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An alley in between mud houses, Segou 1972.
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Weavers at work, Segou 1972
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A market on the bank of the Niger River, 1993
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The Bamanan Bar Restaurant Dancing Ségou, 1993
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A girl on a street near a mosque, Segou 1993
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Market of cooking pans on the Niger River bank, Segou 1993
Geography
[edit]Location
[edit]Ségou is situated 235 kilometres (146 mi) fromBamako,on the right bank of theNiger River.[14]Theurban communeis bordered to the east by the commune ofPelengana,to the west by the commune ofSébougouand to the south by the commune ofSakoïba.[14]
The commune is subdivided into 15quartiers:Alamissani, Angoulême, Bagadadji, Bougoufié, Comatex, Dar Salam, Hamdallaye, Médine, Mission Catholique, Missira, Ségou Coura, Sido Soninkoura, Somono, Sokalakono, Bananissabakoro.[16]
Climate
[edit]Ségou has ahot semi-arid climate(KöppenBSh). The city is irrigated by two important waterways: the Niger and theBani River.Ségou has two seasons: a rainy season and a dry season. The rainy season starts in June and lasts about four months until September. Ségou's dry season includes a relatively mild period followed by a period of sweltering heat. The average yearly rainfall is about 640 millimetres or 25 inches. Theharmattanis the dominant wind in the dry season and it blows from north to south. The monsoon blowing from south to north-west is frequent during rainy season (hivernage).
Climate data for Segou (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 33.3 (91.9) |
36.5 (97.7) |
39.6 (103.3) |
41.4 (106.5) |
40.8 (105.4) |
37.8 (100.0) |
33.9 (93.0) |
32.1 (89.8) |
33.4 (92.1) |
36.5 (97.7) |
37.3 (99.1) |
34.6 (94.3) |
36.4 (97.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 25.3 (77.5) |
28.2 (82.8) |
31.5 (88.7) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.1 (93.4) |
31.9 (89.4) |
28.9 (84.0) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.4 (83.1) |
30.1 (86.2) |
29.0 (84.2) |
26.2 (79.2) |
29.6 (85.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
19.8 (67.6) |
23.4 (74.1) |
26.6 (79.9) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.0 (78.8) |
24.0 (75.2) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.5 (74.3) |
20.6 (69.1) |
17.8 (64.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 2.2 (0.09) |
0.2 (0.01) |
1.5 (0.06) |
4.9 (0.19) |
31.5 (1.24) |
89.4 (3.52) |
175.7 (6.92) |
220.7 (8.69) |
110.4 (4.35) |
20.9 (0.82) |
0.8 (0.03) |
0.0 (0.0) |
658.2 (25.92) |
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 8.3 | 12.7 | 16.1 | 10.7 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 57 |
Mean monthlysunshine hours | 281.2 | 256.1 | 275.1 | 253.1 | 264.4 | 253.9 | 248.7 | 231.0 | 241.5 | 272.4 | 264.8 | 271.7 | 3,113.9 |
Source: NOAA (sun, 1961-1990)[17][18] |
Demography
[edit]As of the 2009 Mali Census, Ségou has a population of 130,690, up from 105,305 in 1998.[11]A 2007 estimate put the city's population at 118,814.[16]
The population of theSégou Regionis largely rural, and nomadic semi-sedentary or sedentary. The population consists of manyethnicgroups, such asBambara,Bozo,Fulani,Soninke,MalinkeandToucouleur.
The town of Ségou itself is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including the Malinke, the Soninke, the Fulani, and the Toucouleur, due to its complex history and status as a regional commercial center.[19]
Bambaras are mostly farmers and are the most numerous ethnic group.[citation needed]Their language is Bambara orDjoula.[citation needed]The Bozos are the second most populous ethnic group.[citation needed]They typically live near the shore of the Niger river, in small towns of small houses.[citation needed]The Bozo economy is based on fishing.[citation needed]Bozo people have a monopoly on the transport system because of their knowledge of the Niger, its shallows and seasonal lakes, and are regarded as the masters of water.[citation needed]TheSomono ,a group known to specialize in fishing and boating, are largely concentrated in Ségou and its surroundings.[20]TheMalinké/Mandinka/Maninka are closely related to Bambaras: They share costumes, religious beliefs, and practices with the Bambaras.[citation needed]TheMarka,SaracolléorSoninkeare merchants and warriors.[citation needed]The Soninke people are great travelers and Muslims, and have largely conserved their traditions.[citation needed]
Art and culture
[edit]The Bambaras used to transmit their knowledge by oral tradition, hence much of their art and culture is unknown. Ségou's cultural heritage includes traditional musical instruments, wonderfulgriots,folkloric groups and the traditional masks and marionettes. The history of the Bambara state's traditional religious practices are ambiguous. They practice animism and fetishism as cultural practices, and also totemic and monism (cult of ancestors). The most famous Ségou handcrafts are based on pottery, weaving (blankets, wrappers and carpets), manufacturing ofBogolan(a distinctive variation ofMud cloth), painting and sculpture. Ségou is also regarded as the capital of Malian pottery with a large pottery district inKalabougousituated on the left bank. Women make the pottery by hand with the clay coming from the Niger River and bring the finished works to the local Monday market.[citation needed]
Festivals
[edit]The most well-known festival in Ségou is the annual Festival sur le Niger (Festival on the Niger).[21]This festival celebrates music and the arts and culture of the Bambara people, and includes theCaravane culturelle de la paixsince 2013.[22]The 16th edition of the festival took place in 2019, when for the first time it combined with Ségou' Art, a contemporaryart fair.[23]The two festivals continue to be combined for the 2023 event, which takes place over six days in early February.[24][22]
Education
[edit]TheUniversity of Ségouwas founded in 2009. As of 2008, Ségou has 13kindergartens,33primary schools,17secondary schools,and 40madrasas.[14]
Places of worship
[edit]Among theplaces of worship,they are predominantlyMuslimmosques.[25]There are alsoChristianchurches and temples:Roman Catholic Diocese of Ségou(Catholic Church), Église Chrétienne Évangélique du Mali (Alliance World Fellowship),Assemblies of God.
Architecture
[edit]Ségou has two architectural styles:French Colonialand traditionalSudaneseand neo-Sudanese. The Sudanese style influenced public building and important residences. Monuments and great mosques are also built according to this style. Many ofSudano-Sahelian's kings built imposing palaces in the cities over which they ruled and most of these buildings are in red clay. The materials used for building are generally quite poor and many of the buildings need to be restored to maintain their state.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Usine_de_coton_CMDT.png/300px-Usine_de_coton_CMDT.png)
Economy
[edit]Today, Ségou is known for its pottery, its market and its fishing industry. Attractions in the old town ofSégou-Koroincluded a mosque, Coulibaly's tomb and an ancient tree. In the city center, the main landmark is thewater tower.
The most important economic activities are fishing, cattle herding and small scale farming.Milletis the main crop in Ségou, with other major cereals includingsorghum,andcowpea.[26]The main type of millet crop isricepearl millet.[citation needed]Black-eyed peasare also grown.[citation needed]Crop yields in Ségou are generally low.[26]Common types of livestock in Ségou includessheep,poultry,cattle,goats,anddonkeys.[26]Both artisanal and commercial fishing are practiced in Ségou.[26]Men often do the fishing, while women usually market the fish.[26]
While most consumer goods are imported into Ségou, the city produces, and exports, handicraft and agricultural products.[27]
As of 2008, the town is served by two telecom operators:IkatelandSotelma.[28]
There are two factories processing cotton: Compagnie Malienne des Textiles (COMATEX) andCompagnie malienne pour le développement du textile(CMDT). Commerce consists mostly of the small scale exchange and sale of products from the primary sector, sold weekly at the large Sudano-Sahelian market, drawing customers from far outside of the city. The main products sold are vegetables, pottery, cotton, leather, fruit, ovens, cattle and cereals.
The headquarters of theOffice du Nigeris based in the town.[11]The Office du Niger is a semi-autonomous government agency that administers a large irrigation scheme in the Ségou Region to the north of the Niger River.[29]
Ségou used to be served bySégou Airport(IATA:SZU,ICAO:GASG). The airport lay south-west of the city center and is visible on old maps as well as satellite imagery.[30]
Notable residents
[edit]Notable people from Ségou includeAdame Ba Konare,Fanta Damba,Garan Fabou Kouyate,Mountaga Tall,[31]andBassekou Kouyate.
Maryse Condé'shistorical novelSegutells the city's history from 1797 to its 1860 defeat by El Hajj Oumar Tall's army.
International relations
[edit]Twin towns – sister cities
[edit]Ségou istwinnedwith:
Angoulême,France,since 1984.[32]
Richmond, Virginia,United States.[33]
See also
[edit]- Bamana Empire:for the Ségou Empire
- List of cities in Mali
References
[edit]- ^Common and Fundamental Operational Datasets Registry: Mali,United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, archived fromthe originalon 2012-01-06.commune_mali.zip (Originally from the Direction Nationale des Collectivités Territoriales, République du Mali)
- ^Resultats Provisoires RGPH 2009 (Région de Ségou)(PDF)(in French), République de Mali: Institut National de la Statistique.
- ^Triaud 1997,p. 121.
- ^Mage 1868,pp.207-208.
- ^Park 1799,p.195.
- ^abTriaud 1997,p. 122.
- ^Kanya-Forstner 2009,p. 181.
- ^abPage, Willie F. (2005). Davis, R. Hunt (ed.).Encyclopedia of African History and Culture.Vol. III (Illustrated, revised ed.). Facts On File. p. 239.
- ^abcTauxier, Louis (1930). "Chronologie des rois bambaras".Outre-Mer:9.
- ^abcBortolot, Alexander Ives (October 2003)."The Bamana Ségou State".The Metropolitan Museum of Art.Retrieved2023-02-05.
- ^abcd"Ségou | Mali | Britannica".Encyclopædia Britannica.Retrieved2023-02-06.
- ^Tamari 1991,p. 233.
- ^Park 1799,p.196,quoted inDavidson, Basil(1995).Africa in History.New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 245.ISBN0-684-82667-4.
- ^abcdefgUSAID 2008,p. 2.
- ^Kanya-Forstner 2009,pp. 47–49, 181.
- ^abUSAID 2008,p. 3.
- ^"World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Segou"(CSV).NOAA.Retrieved7 January2024.
- ^ "Segou Climate Normals 1961–1990".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Retrieved12 October2015.
- ^Tamari 1991,p. 225.
- ^Tamari 1991,p. 231.
- ^Ouwerkerk, Lies (May 2009)."The Annual Festival On The Niger: Africa's Most Exciting Festival".Transitions Abroad.Retrieved4 December2022.
- ^ab"Programme Ségou' Art - Promotion des arts et culture".Fondation Festival Sur le Niger(in French). 4 December 2022.Retrieved4 December2022.
- ^"Ségou 'Art – Festival sur le Niger".Art Africa.23 January 2020.Retrieved4 December2022.
- ^"Thème: « Arts & Maaya: Quelle citoyenneté pour l'Afrique? »".Ségou'Art(in French).Retrieved4 December2022.
- ^J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 1793
- ^abcdeUSAID 2008,p. 4.
- ^USAID 2008,p. 5.
- ^USAID 2008,p. 6.
- ^Schreyger 2002,pp. 68–73.
- ^U.S. Army Map Service (1961)."Joint Operations Graphic (Air) ND 29-12"(PDF).
- ^"Présidentielles: 24 SUR LA LIGNE DE DÉPART"[permanent dead link],L'Essor,April 8, 2002(in French).
- ^"National Commission for Decentralised cooperation".Délégation pour l’Action Extérieure des Collectivités Territoriales (Ministère des Affaires étrangères)(in French). Archived fromthe originalon 2013-08-05.Retrieved2013-12-26.
- ^"Segou, Mali".Sister Cities International.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-03-19.Retrieved19 March2014.
Sources
[edit]- Kanya-Forstner, A.S. (2009) [1969],The Conquest of the Western Sudan: A Study in French Military Imperialism,Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,ISBN978-0-521-10372-5.
- Mage, Eugène(1868),Voyage dans le Soudan occidental (Senegambie-Niger)(in French), Paris: Hachette.
- Park, Mungo(1799),Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa: Performed Under the Direction and Patronage of the African Association, in the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797,London: W. Bulmer and Company.
- Schreyger, Emil (2002), "De la 'mission Bélime' à l'Office du Niger", in Bonneval, P.; Kuper, M.; Tonneau, J-P. (eds.),L'Office du Niger, grenier à riz du Mali: Succès économiques, transitions culturelles et politiques de développement(in French), Paris: Karthala,ISBN978-2-84586-255-5.
- Tamari, Tal (1991),"The Development of Caste Systems in West Africa",The Journal of African History,32(2): 221–250,ISSN0021-8537,JSTOR182616
- Triaud, Jean-Louis (1997), "Segu",Encyclopaedia of Islam. Volume IX San-Sze(2nd ed.), Leiden: Brill, pp. 121–122,ISBN978-90-04-10422-8.
- Plan de Sécurité Alimentaire Commune Urbaine de Ségou 2008-2012(PDF)(in French), Commissariat à la Sécurité Alimentaire, République du Mali, USAID-Mali, 2008, archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2012-08-30,retrieved2012-07-16.
Further reading
[edit]- Monteil, Charles (1976) [1924],Les Bambara du Segou et du Kaarta(in French), Paris: G.-P. Maisonneuve et Larose.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Ségoutravel guide from Wikivoyage
- Ségou Tourist Office