Segou sits on the shores of the River Niger and was transformed from a sleepy city into a bustling noisy venue for the Festival sur le Niger. In its first year, the 3 day festival put on a treat for Malians and visitors alike — there were interesting workshops and meetings on tourism and culture, exhibitions and stalls from artists and artisans from the region, but the real treat was the music and dance.

The entrance gate to the Quai des Arts, the main festival venue

A Bambanan dancer from the Segou region

Mask performance arriving by pirogue in the evening light

A Bamanan Pelengana mask performance

Drummers rousing the crowds

Traditional dance and music troups from the region performed every afternoon and into the evenings — hunters firing off their vintage guns, drummers, dancing, life-size masks and puppets and then an impressive line up of established Malian musicians: Ali Farka Toure, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Neba Solo, Abdolaye Diabate… you can’t beat that.

The festival’s main stage in the shallows of the River Niger in the evening light

Salif Keita performing

Malian musician Abdolaye Diabate (right) performing

Malian musician Neba Solo (left) and dancers performing

Oumou Sangare performing

Ali Farka Toure doing his thing

The festival organisers have already confirmed that the 2006 festival has been confirmed and it looks like they’ve added a day too 2nd - 5th Feb 2006 -so put the dates in your diary now.

Visit their website at: www.festivalsegou.org