Mali - The Tata of Sikasso

The Tata of Sikasso or tarakoko according to a local name, was built under the reign of Tièba, between 1877 and 1897. The work was enlarged and reinforced by Babemba. At the time of Samory's unsuccessful siege for fifteen months-from March 1887 to June 1888-he had three concentric speakers: - the outside tata measuring 9 km, 6m thick at the base and 2m at the summit, its height varying between 4 and 6m; - the intermediate tata less big and less thick, intended to isolate the merchants, the soldiers and the nobles; - the inner enclosure encircling Dionfoutou, part of the city inhabited by the king and his family. The fortress is still visible in the current layout of the city of Sikasso through well preserved sections in the neighborhoods Mancourani, Medina, Wayerma, Bougoula city and Fulaso. Gate-shaped monuments (seven in number) have been constructed of modern materials on the site of the ancient passages to preserve their memory.