Sikasso, city in Mali
Sikasso is a large city in southern Mali and the second biggest urban center in the country. The city features a network of markets, simple mud-brick buildings, and busy streets lined with vendors, pedestrians, and small vehicles moving throughout the day.
Before 1876 Sikasso was a small village until it became the capital of the Kénédougou kingdom, holding that status until 1898. French colonial rule then shaped the city's development and left marks on its architecture and infrastructure.
Sikasso takes its name from the kingdom that once ruled here, and this spirit remains alive in daily encounters. Central markets serve as gathering places where people exchange goods and stories, and this togetherness shapes the rhythm of community life.
When exploring Sikasso, it helps to carry local currency and bring patience when navigating markets. Early mornings and afternoons are the best times to visit, when markets are most lively and the heat is more bearable.
Sikasso has a moist climate that allows farmers to grow fruit and vegetables year-round, making it unusual for Mali. This constant harvest helps earn it the name breadbasket of Mali and products are even shipped to other regions of the country.
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