Djenné
|
The location of Djenné within Mali |
Djenné (also
Dienné or
Jenne) is a city on the
Bani River in southern
Mali with a population of about 12,000 (in
1987). It is famous for its
mud brick architecture, most notably the
Great Mosque of Djenné, rebuilt in
1907. In the past, Djenné was a centre of trade and learning, and has been conquered a number of times since its founding. Its historic city center was designated a
World Heritage Site by
UNESCO in
1988.
Djenné was founded in about
300 BCE by the
Bozo people at a site known as Djenné-Jeno, 1.5
km upstream. It moved its site in either
1043 or the
13th century, when the city converted to
Islam. This increased its importance as a
market and a base for
trans-Saharan trade, soon rivalling
Timbuktu.
Djenné, despite its proximity, was never part of the
Mali Empire. It existed as an independent city-state protected by walls and the tributaries of the Niger. According to legend, the Mali Empire attempted to conquer the city 99 times before giving up. Djenné would not be conquered until
1473 by the
Songhai Empire under
Sonni Ali. The siege of Djenné is said to have lasted 7 months and 7 days culminating in the death of the city's king and its capitulation. The widow of the city married Sonni Ali, and peace was restored. In
1591,
Morocco conquered the city after destroying Songhai's hold in the region. By the 1600s, Djenné had become a thriving centre of trade and learning. Caravans from Djenné frequented southern trading towns like
Begho,
Bono Manso, and
Bonduku.
The city continued to change hands several times. Djenné was part of the
Bambara kingdom from
1670 to
1818,
Macina under the
Fulani ruler
Amadou Lobbo from 1818 to
1861, and the
Toucouleur Empire under
Umar Tall from 1861 to
1893. The
French finally conquered the city that year. During this period, trade declined and the city's importance with it.
Today, Djenné is an agricultural
trade centre for
fish,
coffee and
kola nuts. It is known for its large Monday
market.
Attractions include the
Tomb of Tupama Djenepo, who in legend was sacrificed on the founding of the city, and the remains of
Jenné-Jeno, a major city from the
3rd century BC until the
13th century.
Djenné is notable in that it becomes an
island in the
rainy season.
The inhabitants of Djenné speak a
Songhay variety termed
Djenné Chiini; the villages around it variously speak
Bozo,
Fulfulde, or
Bambara.
*
Djenné on World Heritage Sites websiteAfrican Civilizations by John G. Jackson, Ciitadel Press
