"Segou: the old capital of the kingdom... " a Segou Travel Page by jantichm

Segou is a relaxing city in the delta of Niger river. It's not far from Bamako (about 4 hours by bus).

The French took the city in 1892, using it as an administrative center for the Office du Niger, a colonial development scheme. The town's French influences are readily apparent in its wide, tree-lined boulevards. Most of the town's inhabitants of Ségou are Bozo, fisherman who have worked this section of the Niger since the seventh century A.D.

The most interesting of Segou is its calm atmosphere of small city.

Their environs also are very interesting.

The people of this ethnic group live in the borders of Niger in small towns of square and decorated houses. Its only economy is the fishing. By its knowledge of the river they have the monopoly of the transport by Niger and its affluents.

Bambara is the most numerous group of the country. They speak Diula and usually they are agriculturists. They live in compact villages of houses on marinates with terrace and barns. They are mainly in the center of the country. Their mosques of Sudanese style are true works of art, like their sculptures half animal half man.