By Adama Kone, Teacher Project Coordinator
In Mali there are a wide variety of craft activities that many people live on and that make the country proud. These jobs seem to be disappearing in Mali because of modernization. I would like to talk to you about a traditional activity that still exists in Mali, especially in certain remote places in the country.
The craft I am thinking of is weaving. Some Malians think it is very useful and many make a good living thanks to this profession. The job of a weaver is to use cotton so that it becomes ropes and then weave them together to make the traditional clothes which are commonly called "DALIBANI". There are also wood and some irons that are put together to make the tools work well.
In Tomikorobougou, Mr. Traoré is a weaver, and a very talented one. Soumaila Traoré has been doing this work for 25 years and he has always supported his family thanks to this work of weaving.
Soumaila is 50 years old and has 6 children including 2 girls and 4 boys. Mr Traoré likes his job very much and he would like his children to learn it with him while he is still alive. Soumaila has 2 wives in a huge family of 30 people. The family gets along with each other well. The main activities of the family are farming and the small businesses that the young people usually do. He said this: “I am old, and this is the only thing I can do now.”
Mr. Traore hard at work — using both is hands and feet to make the fabric.
When Mr. Traore works, both of his hands and two feet work to sew his clothes. These clothes are sold a little bit cheaper than modern ones either at home or at the market even if it takes 4 to 5 days to get a single traditional cloth completely done. According to Mr Traoré, hunters are usually the main customers of this type of clothing that we call. Practitioners of this profession are rare now in Mali but loved by many old people who think that tradition should not disappear at the all. According to him, this is his hobby. If he doesn't sleep at night, he weaves here because he got used to moving his arms and feet here all day making traditional clothes.
Mr. Traore is about more than weaving though. His favorite food is rice with peanut sauce. He also likes to share funny stories with his grandsons especially during the night to make them laugh. He hates being disrespectful and when people make fun of him.
