The Festival on the Niger will take place from 29 January to 1 February 2009 in Segou (Mali). It offers a unique, with large groups of music and traditional dance, but also famous artists of the sub - region, which will play on the river.

Founded in 1852, Segou, keeper of one of the most ancient histories of West Africa, capital of the ancient Bambara kingdom, has an undeniable charm which is well worth discovering. Ancient kingdom of culture and tradition, Segou has inspired numerous writers and historians. Among the most famous is Maryse Condé.

This years theme will be : "Environmental solutions". The principal program elements will be: a discussion forum (theme: Local Knowledge and environment ), art expositions (theme: The Love), tales and legends, music and dance, masks and puppets, a craft fair, and workshops.

Forum: « Local knowledge, and development »

Examination of these two concepts comes within the prospect for a new approach to “development” which breaks with the traditional approach based on transfer of technology. Our guests will treat three pennies themes: «local knowledge and environment», «Cultural identity, and globalisation»,«Cultural identity, and migration» How then can this local knowledge be a factor of development? How to answer the challenges of our cultural identities faces to mondialisation? That’s the central question of the forum which takes place on Thursday January 29, in the city hall of Segou.

Traditional Demonstrations : « Ségou receives Mopti et Tomian »

Traditional troops will reveal to you the great cultural richness of our ancestral rites; this is unique opportunity to discover these ceremonies which tend to be forgotten and which the festival gives a new space for expression.

Music, dances masks and puppets, Tales and legends of Mali, Hunter shows, boat race... This year the invited region is Mopti, and Tomian area invited.

Artists scheduled at the Festival on the Niger in Segou 2009

Oumou Sangaré
Coumba Gawlo (Senegal)
Mamar Kass (Niger)
Les Amazones (Guinea)
Mamadou Diabate (djelikedjan)
Abdoulaye Diabate
Marimbo (Mexico)
Atlantida (Portugal)
Haira Harby
Oumar Koita
Bassékou Kouyaté
Super Biton de Ségou
Adja Soumano
Babani Kone

Music vidéo Bassékou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba « Ngoni fola »

This year the festival begins on January 28 with «the voyage in the roots of the festival» with Tamani the village of Bamzoumana Cissoko symbol of the music Malian, and the opening ceremony will take place on water the night of Thursday January 29, with the reconstitution of one evening traditional festival Bambara «Famakadisongo» a spectacle rich in sound and light not to be missed