The Niger River is the cradle of the first agricultural civilization in West Africa. In ancient times, as now, it fees millions of Malians and Africans: farmers, fishermen, potters, sand merchants, boatmen, and tour operators. The Niger also contains some remarkable bilogical communities; 36 families and 250 species of fish, of which 20 have not been found anywhere else on earth. The delta created by the river is home to hundres of thousands of wintering birds. Hippos (which are more dangerous than elephants) and crocodiles still live in the River. The Niger is also on the list of disappearing rivers. Over the past 10 years, it has lost 33% of its flow. The River was actually interrupted in May 1985 for the first time in the history of humankind. Climate change anyone?
As a general rule for Malian (African?) music, men play the instruments, some men sing, and women dance, and some women sing. During one dance, one dancer was crippled, he cannot use his legs. He danced on his hands, upside down. It was hard for me to listen to some of the music. The combinations of tones and instruments just did not flow for me. Here are some samples of music:
first, second, third, forth.
One of the performances was given by Amadou and Miriam. The are a blind couple who have been performing in Mali for about 20 years. Just recently they have become internationally known. On one trip to England for a peformance, they had their eyesight checked by a top doctor. The doctor said that Amadou could have his eyesight restored by surgery. Miriam was evaluated, but the doctor said that surgery would NOT restore her vision. Amadou declined the surgery, they will be together as they always have been......blind.