Virginia Friends of Mali

Virginia Friends of Mali is pleased to announce  .... the publication of an exciting book written by two of our founder members in honor of the 10th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Segou, Mali and Richmond, Virginia, USA. Board Members Ana Edwards and Robin Poulton are in love with the West African country of Mali and the second city of Mali, called SÉGOU, which has made them both Honorary Citizens. The City of Ségou has been twinned with the City of Richmond, Virginia for the past ten years. Many things have been done in Ségou and in Richmond, as a result of this partnership, and the stories the authors tell are very instructive. Ana and Robin have written an amusing and insightful book, published this month in Richmond VA by Brandylane Publishers: Sister Cities: A story of friendship from Virginia to Mali by Ana Edwards & Robin Poulton. Richmond Va: Brandylane 2019. ISBN: 978-1-947860-58-2 A fun story about Richmonders and their Malian...

What a great idea! https://www.latimes.com/world/africa/la-fg-mali-social-network-for-illiterates-20190617-story.html

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosted its free Family Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, celebrating the art and culture of Mali. Storytelling and Mudcloth activities with Virginia Friends of Mali , dancing, performances by musician Cheick Hamala Diabate and DJ Mikemetic & the Afro Beta Drummers were featured, along with quilting demonstrations by the Sisters of the Yam African-American Quilters Guild , clay vessel demonstrations by Carren Clarke and woodcut print demonstrations by Dennis Winston . Storytelling in the Library with the Alapini-Sakponou Women had it covered with these two books: The Magic Gourd by Baba Wague Diakite Sundiata: The Lion King of Mali by David Wisniewski At the end of the storytelling, the group talked about the country of Mali, and used a map made of Bogolanfini, a textile decorated with natural leaf and mud dyes. Then they sent their visitors downstairs to the Bogolan making activity!  Mudcloth Demonstra...

Bogolanfini depicting entire bogolan making process, from harvesting cotton to weaving, dying and designing. Click here to watch a small documentary  filmed by the children of the Peep This Segou Film Camp helmed by Dr. Shawn Utsey. The subject of the youth's investigation was the cultural object called Mud Cloth in Segou Mali. The film is as much a document of what they saw and learned but also a testimonial of what can happen when you put cameras in a child's hands. Click here to see how to make bogolan , from the Smithsonian Folk Life website. Click here to see children painting bogolan designs at a local farmers market. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will have a free family day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8, celebrating the art and culture of Mali. Storytelling by Virginia Friends of Mali , dancing, performances by musician Cheick Hamala Diabate and DJ Mikemetic & the Afro Beta Drummers will be featured, along with quilting demonstrations by...