Preserving Mali's rural life in pictures

by Unknown 05:16

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Preserving Mali's rural life in pictures

Photographer Boukary Konate is documenting scenes from rural life in his native Mali for the "internet generation", and before this way of life disappears entirely. His project is called Quand le Village Se Reveille (When the Village Wakes Up).

A Mali woman fetches water from a pond — Image captionHardship is part of rural life in Mali where farmers like this woman use rudimentary "watering bowls" to fetch water. "New media technologies widen the gap between the traditional and the modern; between the old and the young. Luckily, they could also be used to rescue the traditional and the old," says Mr Konate.

A herd of cattle crossing the Niger river — Image captionNomads from the Peul (Fulani) community take their cattle around the country in search of the best pastures. Here they are crossing the River Niger following the first heavy rains of the season...

Villagers riding on donkey back — Image captionThe nomads use donkeys to transport their possessions - and those who need a break from walking...

A young man standing by a a nomad hut — Image captionTemporary houses are made from straw and palm leaves until it is time to move on again.

Young men and women dancing at a traditional celebration — Image captionIt is not only nomads who move around a lot. These villagers from Lassa near Bamako, the capital, are performing an annual traditional ceremony marking the departure of youths for the cities, where they hope life will be easier and money more readily available.

Masks performing their annual dance ritual in Mali's Dogon Land in Mopti — Image captionAncient ceremonies, such as this Masked Dance - or Sogobo - in the Dogon community, play a key role in rural life, bringing people together and providing a break from the hard work.

Traditional hunters in dancing gear — Image captionHunters also play a vital role in maintaining social harmony. They not only provide meat, they are also entertainers known for the Donso Gnenadje or Hunters' Dance.

Shea butter lamp used for lighting in rural Mali — Image captionMost villages do not have electricity so people use shea butter lamps like this one to provide light.

An artisanal cotton spinner used in rural Mali — Image captionCotton is one of Mali's main exports and villagers use "cotton gins" like this one to separate cotton fibres from seeds.

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