Bambarra

Bambarra, one of the Soudan states of Western Africa, lying (where 5° W. long. and 12° N. lat. cross one another) on both sides of the Upper Niger. In the east, the country is flat and swampy; but in the west there are low chains of granite hills. The climate in some parts is intensely hot, but is generally healthy. The land is well watered and fertile. The inhabitants, a branch of the Mandingoes (q.v.), number about 2,000,000, and are superior to their neighbours in intelligence. The upper classes profess Mohammedanism, but the lower are pagans. The principal towns are Sego, Sansanding, Yamina, and Bamako. Many local merchants are very wealthy, and a pretty extensive trade is carried on, the natives working articles in gold, ivory, and iron. In 1899 it was incorporated with the other states forming the French Soudan.