Bandiagara Escarpment, UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mopti Region, Mali.
The Bandiagara Escarpment is a mountain system in Dogon Country featuring steep sandstone cliffs that rise roughly 500 meters above the surrounding plains and extend for about 150 kilometers. The terrain displays terraced settlements built directly into the rock face, with vegetation clustering around the base and watercourses cutting through the landscape.
The escarpment was settled around the 14th century by the Dogon people, who came after the earlier Tellem inhabitants had departed and left behind archaeological remains in the rock formations. This led to the development of a major settlement area and trade hub in West Africa.
The villages scattered along the cliff face remain living communities where residents practice traditional crafts, hold seasonal celebrations, and use the rock formations as part of their daily routines. The way houses blend into the stone and how people move through narrow passageways shows a way of life shaped by the landscape itself.
Visitors should explore the hiking trails with local guides who maintain direct connections with village residents and can arrange lodging and meals. Wear layers and comfortable walking shoes, bring plenty of water, and plan visits during cooler times of day.
The site contains ancient rock carvings and paintings visible on cliff faces at various locations, revealing patterns of settlement from earlier times. These artistic marks serve as a visual record of how inhabitants adapted to and shaped their environment.
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