Niono
Encyclopedia
Niono is a town and commune
located in the Ségou Region
of Mali
. It is the seat of the Niono Cercle
. As of 2004 there are approximately 50,000 inhabitants in the commune, while the town itself measures some 4,900 people. The town is the capital of Niono Cercle, one of six subdivisions (Cercles
) of Segou Region
. It is located on the northwest edge of the Inner Niger Delta, near the main channel of the Niger river
.
center from at least the time of the Mali Empire
in the 12th century, much of the current city was built as a result of a large drainage and development project begun in the colonial period.
Designed during the last decade of French
rule as part of the Office du Niger project, and continued after independence by the Mali
an state, areas around the city center and far into the countryside are surrounded by a complex series of irrigation canals, which link to the nearby Niger River
. The town and surrounding agricultural areas were part of a large scape project to drain swamps, divert water, and provide irrigation along the edges of the Inner Niger Delta, a huge area of seasonal lakes and wetlands in central Mali. The city's main industry is agriculture, because rice farmers utilize the adjacent canals for their water.
is perhaps the most internationally recognized site in the town having received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
in 1983. Also notable are the canals themselves, leading some locals to refer to their city as the "Venice of Africa".
and Mali
an Rotary
Clubs and Engineers Without Borders (USA)
Chapters, the groups surveyed in February 2008 a rainwater drainage. The drainage known as a "collecteur de pluies" in French
runs 2 kilometers through the city center. During the rainy season, flooding causes havoc, and during the rest of the year, the drainage becomes a breeding ground for disease. The intent of the project is to construct mechanisms to minimize both flooding and unsanitary stagnant water in the drainage.
A second project is being coordinated by the Millenium Challenge Corporation, a United States
government corporation. As part of a 5 year, $461 million compact with the Mali
an government, the corporation will rehabilitate the Niono-Goma Coura Road, which runs from Niono north to Goma Coura. It will also improve Alatona irrigation infrastructure, adjacent to the road.
Communes of Mali
A Commune is the third level administrative unit in Mali. Mali is divided into eight regions and one capital district . These subdivisions bear the name of their principal city. The regions are divided into 49 Cercles...
located in the Ségou Region
Ségou Region
Ségou is the fourth most populous administrative region in Mali, whose capital is the town of Ségou.-Geography:Situated at the center of Mali, Ségou Region covers 64,947 km²...
of Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
. It is the seat of the Niono Cercle
Niono Cercle
Niono Cercle is an administrative subdivision of the Ségou Region of Mali. The administrative center is the town of Niono.The cercle is divided into 12 communes:*Diabaly*Dogofry*Kala Siguida*Mariko*Nampalari*Niono*Pogo*Siribala...
. As of 2004 there are approximately 50,000 inhabitants in the commune, while the town itself measures some 4,900 people. The town is the capital of Niono Cercle, one of six subdivisions (Cercles
Cercles of Mali
A cercle is the second level administrative unit in Mali. Mali is divided into eight regions and one capital district . These subdivisions bear the name of their principal city. The regions are divided into 49 cercles....
) of Segou Region
Ségou Region
Ségou is the fourth most populous administrative region in Mali, whose capital is the town of Ségou.-Geography:Situated at the center of Mali, Ségou Region covers 64,947 km²...
. It is located on the northwest edge of the Inner Niger Delta, near the main channel of the Niger river
Niger River
The Niger River is the principal river of western Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in southeastern Guinea...
.
Settlement
While Niono existed as a town and important desert side salt and gold tradeTrans-Saharan trade
Trans-Saharan trade requires travel across the Sahara to reach sub-Saharan Africa. While existing from prehistoric times, the peak of trade extended from the 8th century until the late 16th century.- Increasing desertification and economic incentive :...
center from at least the time of the Mali Empire
Mali Empire
The Mali Empire or Mandingo Empire or Manden Kurufa was a West African empire of the Mandinka from c. 1230 to c. 1600. The empire was founded by Sundiata Keita and became renowned for the wealth of its rulers, especially Mansa Musa I...
in the 12th century, much of the current city was built as a result of a large drainage and development project begun in the colonial period.
Designed during the last decade of French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rule as part of the Office du Niger project, and continued after independence by the Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
an state, areas around the city center and far into the countryside are surrounded by a complex series of irrigation canals, which link to the nearby Niger River
Niger River
The Niger River is the principal river of western Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in southeastern Guinea...
. The town and surrounding agricultural areas were part of a large scape project to drain swamps, divert water, and provide irrigation along the edges of the Inner Niger Delta, a huge area of seasonal lakes and wetlands in central Mali. The city's main industry is agriculture, because rice farmers utilize the adjacent canals for their water.
Architecture
The Great Mosque of NionoGreat Mosque of Niono
The Great Mosque of Niono is located in the city of Niono, in the Ségou Region of southern Mali.-Site description:The mosque was first constructed in 1948 by a team of bricklayers native to Djenne, and it today occupies 1,800 square meters...
is perhaps the most internationally recognized site in the town having received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Aga Khan Award for Architecture
The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is an architectural prize established by Aga Khan IV in 1977. It aims to identify and reward architectural concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of Islamic societies in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community...
in 1983. Also notable are the canals themselves, leading some locals to refer to their city as the "Venice of Africa".
Development projects
Currently, there are at least two major humanitarian projects to ameliorate the lives of people in Niono and the outlying areas. Led by AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
an Rotary
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
Clubs and Engineers Without Borders (USA)
Engineers Without Borders (USA)
Engineers Without Borders – USA is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life...
Chapters, the groups surveyed in February 2008 a rainwater drainage. The drainage known as a "collecteur de pluies" in French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
runs 2 kilometers through the city center. During the rainy season, flooding causes havoc, and during the rest of the year, the drainage becomes a breeding ground for disease. The intent of the project is to construct mechanisms to minimize both flooding and unsanitary stagnant water in the drainage.
A second project is being coordinated by the Millenium Challenge Corporation, a United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government corporation. As part of a 5 year, $461 million compact with the Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
an government, the corporation will rehabilitate the Niono-Goma Coura Road, which runs from Niono north to Goma Coura. It will also improve Alatona irrigation infrastructure, adjacent to the road.