FESTIVAL DIAMWARI MOPTI    21, 22, 23-11-2009  
 
In February 2008 the Diamwari Festival was held in Mopti on the banks of the river Bani for the first time and the intention is that this becomes an annual celebration.  
 
The aim of the festival is to promote the rich culture of Mali of all ethnic groups and to put the city of Mopti even more on the tourist map.  
 
Diamwari means "happiness" and Mopti means "reunion", so that should be a good combination.  
 
On the "menu" of this cultural festival of music and dance (similar to the festival in Segou) were this year:

• Dance groups and enormous puppets; they are representatives of different tribes and professions, such as: Troupe Janwari (Youvarou), Troupe Baboemba, Puppets of Djenne, Troupe Donsow (hunters), Bozo group, the Masks of the Dogon, the Dancers Bgara (of Bankass) and more.

• Various artists and craftsmen like the masons, the potters, the silversmiths, the sculptors, the dyers of the bogolans, the painters - they exhibit their work and they sell their products. You can meet them and talk with them about their work, their trade and their life.

• Artists who have come to perform at the Festival were:  
  Habib Koita, Koko Dembele, Niebédiasse, Tamasheq, Amadou & Mariam, Saly Sidibé, Tatama Kone, the Orchestre Kanaga and the Tambours sans Frontières (Drummers without borders)

• the Pirogues race. The owners of the pirogues and their teams try to win the race on the river. The winners receive a cash prize and the "jonjon" (the flag of victory).