Djenné
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Image:Great Mosque of Djenné 1.jpg Image:ML-Djenne.png 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.
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History
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 was part of the Mali Empire between 1325 and 1473; the Songhai Empire under Sonni Ali subsequently took charge. In 1591, Morocco conquered the city. 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.
Economy
Today, Djenné is an agricultural trade centre for fish, coffee and kola nuts. It is known for its large Monday market.
Sights
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.
Demographics
The inhabitants of Djenné speak a Songhay variety termed Djenné Chiini; the villages around it variously speak Bozo, Fulfulde, or Bambara.