Mali
Usage
Landlocked country in West Africa; French is the official language and Bambara is the most widely spoken
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Mali".
Bamakɔ
Bamako
Usage
Capital of Mali, on the Niger river
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Bamako".
Segu
Ségou
Usage
City on the Niger river and capital of the Ségou region
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword and bm.wikipedia both use "Segu" (tone marks omitted here); signs use the French spelling "Ségou".
Sikaso
Sikasso
Usage
City in southern Mali and capital of the Sikasso region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Sikasso".
Kayi
Kayes
Usage
City in western Mali and capital of the Kayes region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Kayes".
Moti
Mopti
Usage
River port town where the Niger and Bani rivers meet
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword is "Moti"; bm.wikipedia and signs use the French spelling "Mopti".
Seware
Sévaré
Usage
Town next to Mopti
Grammar Note
The dictionary describes it as the town adjoining Mopti. Signs use the French spelling "Sévaré".
Jɛnɛ
Djenné
Usage
Old town known for its mud-brick mosque
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword is "Jène"; the spelling "Jɛnɛ" follows the cards already written for this language. Signs use the French spelling "Djenné".
Tumutu
Timbuktu
Usage
Historic city on the southern edge of the Sahara and a regional capital
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword is "Tumutu"; French signs read "Tombouctou" (English: Timbuktu).
Gawo
Gao
Usage
City in eastern Mali and capital of the Gao region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Gao".
Kulukɔrɔ
Koulikoro
Usage
Town on the Niger river near Bamako and capital of the Koulikoro region
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword is "Kulukɔrɔ"; bm.wikipedia also writes "Kulikɔrɔ". This card follows the dictionary. Signs use "Koulikoro".
Kucala
Koutiala
Usage
City in southern Mali (Sikasso region)
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Koutiala".
Bugunin
Bougouni
Usage
City in southern Mali (Sikasso region)
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Bougouni".
Joyila
Dioïla
Usage
City in the Koulikoro region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Dioïla".
Kita
Usage
Town in western Mali
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Kita".
Ɲɔnɔ
Niono
Usage
Town in the Ségou region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Niono".
Masina
Macina
Usage
Town in central Mali
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Macina".
Banjagara
Bandiagara
Usage
Town known for its escarpment and plateau
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Bandiagara".
Hɔnbori
Hombori
Usage
Town and mountains in the Douentza district
Grammar Note
The dictionary describes a town, commune and mountains in the Douentza district. Signs use "Hombori".
Duwanza
Douentza
Usage
Town in the Mopti region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Douentza".
Marakala
Markala
Usage
Town known for its dam on the Niger river
Grammar Note
The dictionary only lists it as a commune of the Ségou district; the dam is general knowledge. Signs use "Markala".
Kangaba
Usage
Town in the Koulikoro region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Kangaba".
Selenge
Sélingué
Usage
Town with a dam
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Sélingué".
Manantali
Usage
Hydroelectric dam on the Bafing river
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Manantali".
Kati
Usage
Town near Bamako (Koulikoro region)
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Kati".
Fana
Usage
Town in the Dioïla district
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Fana".
San
Usage
Town in the Ségou region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "San".
Bananba
Banamba
Usage
Town in the Koulikoro region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Banamba".
Kɛɲɛba
Kéniéba
Usage
Town in the Kayes region
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Kéniéba".
Zeguwa
Zégoua
Usage
Town in the Kadiolo district (Sikasso region)
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Zégoua".
Jafarabe
Diafarabé
Usage
Town on the Niger river in central Mali
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Diafarabé".
Sibi
Siby
Usage
Village near Bamako (Kati district)
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Siby".
Jeliba
Niger River
Usage
The great river of West Africa; the dictionary also lists the names Baba and Bajiba
Grammar Note
The dictionary glosses "Jeliba", "Baba" and "Bajiba" as the Niger river; French maps say "fleuve Niger".
Banin
Bani River
Usage
Tributary of the Niger river
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "rivière Bani".
Bafin
Bafing River
Usage
Tributary of the Senegal river
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "rivière Bafing".
Bawulen
Baoulé River
Usage
Tributary of the Niger river
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "rivière Baoulé".
Bagadaji
Bagadadji
Usage
Quarter in Commune II of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Bagadadji".
Ngolonina
N'Golonina
Usage
Craft market in Commune II of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "N'Golonina".
Madinɛkura
Médine-Koura
Usage
A large market in Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Médine-Koura".
Dabanaani
Dabanani
Usage
Market in Commune III of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Dabanani".
Badalabugu
Badalabougou
Usage
Quarter of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Badalabougou".
Hipodɔrɔmu
Hippodrome
Usage
Quarter in Commune II of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Hippodrome".
Aseyi demili
ACI 2000
Usage
Area in the Hamdallaye district of Bamako
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword is "Aseyi demili"; signs read "ACI 2000".
Falajɛ
Faladié
Usage
Quarter in Commune VI of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Faladié".
Maɲanbugu
Magnambougou
Usage
Quarter in Commune VI of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Magnambougou".
Kabala
Usage
Southern quarter of Bamako; a university has stood there since 2017
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Kabala".
Arayida
Bord des Rails
Usage
Quarter of Bamako along the railway
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword is "Arayida"; signs read "Bord des Rails".
Jikɔrɔnipara
Djicoroni Para
Usage
Quarter in Commune IV of Bamako
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Djicoroni Para".
Kuluba
Koulouba
Usage
Hill in Bamako where the presidency stands
Grammar Note
The dictionary glosses it as the residence of the President of Mali. Signs use "Koulouba".
Senu
Sénou
Usage
Quarter of Bamako where the international airport lies
Grammar Note
The dictionary describes a quarter in Commune VI of Bamako with the international airport. Signs use "Sénou".
Aritizana
Maison des Artisans
Usage
The house of artisans in Bamako
Grammar Note
The dictionary headword "Aritizana" is borrowed from French "artisanat". Signs read "Maison des Artisans".
Segukɔrɔ
Ségoucoro
Usage
The old part of Ségou
Grammar Note
The dictionary glosses it as "old Ségou"; signs spell it "Ségoucoro" or "Ségoukoro".
Segukura
Ségou Koura
Usage
The new part of Ségou
Grammar Note
The dictionary glosses it as "new Ségou"; "kura" means new. Signs use "Ségou Koura".
Anbodejo
Hambodejo Airport
Usage
Airport at Sévaré
Grammar Note
The dictionary glosses it as the airport at Sévaré (spelled Hambodejo); check the French spelling on signs.
Dagi-Dagi
Dag Dag Airport
Usage
Airport at Kayes
Grammar Note
Spelled as in the place-name entries of the Bamadaba dictionary (tone marks omitted). Signs and maps use the French spelling "Aéroport de Dag Dag".
Grande Mosquée de Djenné
Great Mosque of Djenné
Usage
Large mud-brick mosque, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Old Towns of Djenné
Grammar Note
Signs use the French name. Bambara for mosque is "misiri" (dictionary), but the dictionary has no fixed Bambara name for this building.
Mosquée de Djingareyber
Djinguereber Mosque
Usage
Old mosque in Timbuktu, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Timbuktu
Grammar Note
The dictionary has the Bambara headword "Jingarebɛri" (the old mosque of Timbuktu); signs use the French spelling.
Falaise de Bandiagara
Bandiagara Escarpment
Usage
Long cliff on the Bandiagara plateau, a UNESCO World Heritage site (Land of the Dogons)
Grammar Note
Signs and maps use the French name; the dictionary has the place name "Banjagara" for the town, district and plateau.
Musée national du Mali
National Museum of Mali
Usage
The national museum in Bamako
Grammar Note
Signs use the French name; no Bambara word for "museum" was found in the dictionaries.
Aéroport international Modibo Keïta – Bamako-Sénou
Modibo Keïta International Airport (Bamako-Sénou)
Usage
Bamako's international airport; the quarter where it stands is called Senu
Grammar Note
Signs use the French name. The dictionary has no Bambara form for the airport name; the quarter is listed as "Senu".
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