Yaaral and Degal culture area

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The cultural area of ​​Yaaral and Degal refers to an annually recurring cultural festival of the Fulbe in the inner Niger Delta in Mali . The occasion is the annual cattle drive of large herds of cattle, which cross the river from or into the pastures. In 2008, UNESCO put the multi-day festival on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity .

history

The festival has a decades-old tradition among the Fulbe, as they practice transhumance with their cattle . The festival is due to the Fulbe leader Séku Amadou , who ruled the region from 1819 to 1845.

The Niger crossing

Every year in December, the shepherds bring their cattle from the semi-arid grazing areas to the north of the savannah belt of the Sahara to the city of Diafarabé, about 350 km north-east of the Malian capital Bamako . The city is located at the southern end of the Niger Inland Delta in the Sahel . At this point the Niger is crossed by swimming. The shepherds swim alongside their cattle and hit the water with prepared sticks to guide them across the river. Bozo accompany the crossing from fishing boats to help the Fulani shepherds. The cattle drive is subject to strict rules of tribal law. On the other side of the bank, the families are united for a few days and celebrate the most important festival for them, before the cattle - now after the rainy season - are brought to the new fertile pastures ( bourgou ) south of the Niger.

The opportunity is also used to ensure that the cattle receive the correct vaccinations. The public sector assesses the condition of the animals and estimates the expenditure it deems necessary.

The festival

The Niger crossing is a fixed time. Music is played and danced to it. People put on their best costumes. The first day is celebrated as the Promenade des Jeunes (boys' walk). Unmarried men and women dress up to win each other.

Another competition is for the shepherd with the fattest cow. He receives prizes and the highest recognition for the day. The premium for those whose cows are deemed too thin is a single peanut.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Cultural space of the Yaaral and Degal. UNESCO
  2. ↑ Photo journal: Mali cattle crossings , BBC News
  3. ↑ Rural - Cattle Crossing Festival, Diafarabe, Mali (single photo)
  4. ^ African People & Culture, Mali, crossing of the cattle

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