April 2023
Maize seeds in the village of Bouillagui (Mali), May 2021
Maize seed is grown in Bouillagui during the three-month winter season. The seed is chosen for the fastest harvest, which helps families who do not have enough millet. Maize is cultivated in the slightly sandy fields without industrial fertilisers, it is sufficient to use cow dung as a natural fertiliser. Sowing takes place around July, and it is harvested in
Consequences of the lack of wood on blacksmithing (Bouillagui, Mali), May 2021
In Bouillagui the blacksmiths are facing serious problems with charcoal, due to the lack of wood in the forest caused by global warming. The tree they use for forging is different from the others. It is called “djebee” in Soninke. It is a big tree that gives a slightly reddish wood. They have to go to Kayes to buy coal.
Deforestation and collecting wood in Bouillagui (Mali), November 2021
Deforestation in Bouillagui is due to global warming and the cutting of trees during the rainy season. Finding wood for cooking is becoming very difficult in the Bouillagui forest. Women used to go to the fields very early in the morning to cultivate and collect wood in the evening when they returned to cook with it. The situation has prompted