Pictures: Festival on the Niger

Festival dedicated to peace

A Malian masked artists during a performance about identity and migration in occasion of the annual Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 8, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

Ségou’Art, also known as the Festival on the Niger, is an island of resistance in this region of Mali afflicted by jihadist attacks and deadly inter-community tensions.

: A masked man wearing the traditional costume of Dogon countries dances during the opening of the Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 6, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: Malian dancers perform with the traditional puppets of the Segou region during the opening of the Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 6, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: A young man trying to win a prize by hitting a ball with his head while jumping during the annual Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 7, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: A Malian masked artists during a performance about identity and migration in occasion of the annual Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 8, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: People watch the performance of the traditional legend of the siren during the Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 7, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: Young Malians stand on a container during the Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 8, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: A Malian masked artists during a performance about identity and migration in occasion of the annual Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 8, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: Malian actors perform the traditional legend of the siren during the Festival on the Nigerl in Segou on February 7, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: A masked man dances during the opening of the Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 6, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: Malian masked artists during a performance about identity and migration in occasion of the annual Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 8, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI

: Malian children play on the banks of the Niger river during the annual Festival on the Niger in Segou on February 8, 2020. Picture: AFP / MICHELE CATTANI