"Mali" Mali by titti

Mali Travel Guide: 1,003 reviews and 2,873 photos

Mali consistently ranks among the bottom ten countries in the world in literacy, health, clean water, maternal death, infant mortality, and life expectancy. Hundreds of children as young as six years old are trafficked across borders into slavery in West Africa to work as domestic servants, on farms and in markets in the region's wealthier countries.
Most work long hours in harsh conditions and receive little or no pay.
The main trafficking routes are from Mali, Benin and Togo to Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon.
Children are transported over land and by sea facing arduous journey and lack of food and water. West African governments in the region are aware of the problem and of the need for action to end it, but many destination countries are still not taking the steps necessary to end the exploitation of children in slavery and other abusive labour.

<HR COLOR='#990033'WIDTH='350'>
<center>young businessmen</center>
<center><img src="http://www.virtualtourist.com/p/.92643/v@4_a-2-1-666.jpg"></center>
Meeting children will always mean listening to a long litany of “ca va bombon-bicchì-argent … ca va bombon-bicchì-argent …”. Some children recently developed a new way to get in with tourists and increase their incomes. They hike the Falaise de Bandiagara carrying a dusty folder. As soon as you stop walking, since you are breathless, one of them will come, sit beside you, approach you asking where you are from… Then, with the biggest carelessness, he opens his folder and shows you his drawings. No reason to be annoyed by this. Drawings represent traditional masks, the same that dancers still wear for ritual (and tourist) dances. You’ll see gazelles, antelopes, jackals and Kanaga, all of them drawn with pen and pencil, and slightly coloured.
Soon, you’ll realise that you’re dealing with young artists-businessmen, and you’ll probably catch the opportunity to get your hands on a real business…like I did.
Now, I regret buying just two drawings; at least to show you more masks!
If you are going to Mali, please take part in this business, without hard bargaining, of course!

Last visit to Mali: Dec 1999
Intro Written Oct 17, 2002
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Reviews (15)

Local Customs (3)

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Local Customs (3)

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Local Customs (3)

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HomboriThe village is located... Off The Beaten Path (3)

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Comments (121)

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moulik Aug 7, 2011 at 10:44 PM

whenever i visit ur pages,it gives me so pleasure.i feel there is no need my traveeling because ur beautiful photographs shows me the difficult places of this big world by sitting at home in india.people visit places as a tourist and see outer things of t
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Nemorino Jan 16, 2007 at 11:08 PM

Wow, a hiking trek in Mali. Fine photos here. It's shocking to hear about the child slavery traffic, though. I realized Mali was one of the poorest countries, but didn't know it had the potential to become a major rice producer.
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Hermanater Jan 21, 2006 at 12:46 AM

Happy Birthday.....Great pages on Mali :-)
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Sininen Jan 20, 2006 at 9:05 PM

Ciao Titti! Happy Birthday from Finland! What an interesting page on a very interesting country. You should complete some tips though. I want to know the story behind the photo! Cheers, Sini
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Poda Nov 29, 2004 at 8:26 AM

Bambo? che lingua parli? com'è che in tutte le tue pg ci sono foto di bambini? mha...
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thelittlevoice Jun 14, 2004 at 6:41 AM

very nice page. i really like all pictures.
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tini58de Mar 25, 2004 at 4:50 AM

I like your travellogues best - the tips have nice pictures, but would need some more info! Still think, that Mali is one of the most fascinating countries in the world!
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Goldenboy Feb 22, 2004 at 1:15 AM

Nice pics in Mali! Waiting for the comment...
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dsantosh Jan 21, 2004 at 2:43 AM

Many many happy returns of the day . Happy birthday Jill. Nice pages, albums and tips.
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kimmo_v Jan 19, 2004 at 5:26 AM

Excellent page!!! Mali is not a typical travel destination, right? Thats why i would liked to go there...:-)