Mali: Bamako – National Museum
Bamako National Museum is the premier museum in the country, showcasing history and culture of Mali. The museum was established in 1953 and boasts an extensive collection of artifacts, including traditional Malian art, archaeological findings, textiles, and ethnographic objects from various ethnic groups in Mali, such as the Dogon, Bambara, and Tuareg. Sadly, photography is strictly prohibited in the permanent exhibits which are the most interesting – archeological artifacts, old masks, and sculptures. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that at the moment show textiles and the art of marionette dolls. The museum building itself is a blend of modern and traditional architectural styles, designed to reflect Mali’s cultural heritage, and there are small scale copies of famous mosques of Timbuktu and Djenne in the museum’s inner courtyard.
