Mali Festivals and Events offer the tourists to enjoy the sheer variety of dance, music and craft fairs of the country. The beautiful country of Mali is situated in Western Africa amid the desert of Sahara. Mali is a medley of people, culture and festivals.
As the country of Mali is home to various tribal communities and ethnic groups, the festivals are also celebrated across all the communities of the country. Fairs and festivals are quite a regular feature in the life of the Malinese. People of Mali celebrate all occasions with great gusto. The festivals and events of Mali are celebrated with fun and fiesta that attract people from all over the world.
Mali being a Muslim country, all Muslim festivals like Eid ul Fitr, Eid ul Adha and Islamic New Year are celebrated with respect and reverence. In addition to the religious festivals, people of Mali celebrate social and cultural events with pomp and gaiety. The notable Mali festivals include:
- Festival-au-Desert - This is a music festival held in January. The Mali music festival sponsored by the Mali Ministry of Culture, and Ministry of Craft Industry and Tourism is organized by various non-governmental associations like Touareg Efes and Aitma, Intergovernmental Agency of Francophonie, and Triban Union of France; Africa Festival, GTZ, and Volkswagen of Germany; Sfinks of Belgium; and Commission European of Mali
- Festival on the Niger – This Malinese festival is held in the month of February in Segou. The Festival if the Niger is an occasion of traditional Mali music and dance. Local art is also displayed in this festival. The festival lasting for four days aims at development of the country through tourism and culture.
- Fete des Masques – This five day festival during the month of April is held by the Dogon tribe inhabiting the Bandiagara area in Central Mali. The festival is a representation of Mali mythology, their interpretation of the universe and its creation, and an occasion to appease departed souls. The men retire into mountain caves, carve masks and put them on for five days. They believe that their ancestors' spirits are inside these masks. These masks are preserved and revered. This tradition supposedly is existent for the last 1000 years.
- Crossing of the Cattle - This December festival is held in the village of Fulani. According to local custom young village men spend one year away from their village grazing cattle across the river Sahel. After one year, these men return with the cattle, which calls for a celebration. These men and unmarried maidens try to attract each other during this festival. There are awards for the best looked after cattle.
People in Mali eagerly wait for these events and festivals of Mali every year. Mali festivals and events offer them a sort of entertainment from the rigors of contemporary lifestyle.
