'Death market' opposite Mali's Parliament a unique sight

A 'death market' in front of the Malian parliament -- one selling decayed body parts of hyenas, dogs, hedgehogs and hippos that are used for making traditional medicines -- is a unique sight for a visitor to this west African country.
The items found in this market just opposite to the National Assembly range from dead birds to heads of dogs, monkeys, crocodiles to feet and legs of various reptiles to porcupine quills.
According to one of the sellers, most of these items are used for medicines or traditional healing making these a witch doctor's delight.
"Bamako means back of a crocodile," he said.

There is also a persisting stench of decayed flesh as one takes a round of the 15-odd stalls.
Mali is perhaps the only country where one can witness such a sight near the Parliament.

The National Assembly of Mali is a unicameral institution whose origins date back to the colonial period.
The 147-member house has three women parliamentarians.
After the 2013 elections, President Ibrahim Bubacar Keita's Rally for Mali (RPM) became the largest parliamentary force, winning 66 seats. Overall, parties supporting Keita won a total of 115 seats.
Next to Bamako's 'death market' is the Grand Mosque of Bamako and the Maison des Artisans du Mali or the artisans market.

The Grand Mosque, inaugurated in 1976, was built with funds from the Saudi Arabian government.
Its two concrete minarets are closer to the architecture of the Arabian Peninsula than that of West Africa.
Ninety per cent of the people of Mali practice Islam, 4 per cent Christianity while 6 per cent are of indigenous beliefs.
The congested artisans market is full of shops selling Mali and Bamako souvenirs; masks; wooden decorative items, particular of ebony; leather goods and also silver jewellery.
Shopkeepers approach visitors at every turn some carrying items vouching for their uniqueness.
One of the shopkeepers Wacar deals with souvenir items, hand-woven cotton garments and wall hangings and also prayer mats.

"Tourist inflow to Bamako is less. One is more interested in Timbuktu when you talk of Mali," he told PTI.
Mali is famous for its music and musicians, the most popular being Salif Keita who is called the 'Golden Voice of Africa'.
Mustafa's shop has various musical instruments.
One can find different types of drums like tama, djembe and dunun, the harp-like instrument called kora and xylophones called balafones.
Truly the area in and around the Malian parliament is a happening place unlike other countries which are mostly out of bounds for people.