Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Home > Africa > Mali > Mali Heritage Sites > Timbuktu

Mali - Timbuktu - The Ponds (Mares) - Fetching water

Mali - Timbuktu - The Ponds (Mares) - Fetching water


Framed Photos
Photo Prints
Jigsaw Puzzles
Poster Prints
Canvas Prints
Fine Art Prints
Mounted Prints
Metal Prints
Cards
Home Decor


We accept all major credit cards

Mary Evans Prints Online

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library

Mali - Timbuktu - The Ponds (Mares) - Fetching water

Mali - Timbuktu - The Ponds (Mares) - Large excavations dug out of the sand to draw up water from the depths. Date: circa 1910

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 11562882

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Carries Deep Dugout Excavations Fetching Mali Malian Mares Pond Ponds Supply Supplying Timbuctoo Timbuktu Transporting Timbuktoo


EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph taken circa 1910 transports us back in time to the ancient city of Timbuktu, Mali, where the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert meets the lush oases of the Niger River. In the foreground, we see several women, dressed in traditional clothing, carefully balancing large earthen jars on their heads as they make their way to the large excavations known as 'les mares' or 'the ponds'. These impressive structures, dug deep into the sand, were used to draw up water from the depths during the dry season when the Niger River receded. The water from these ponds was essential for the survival of the people of Timbuktu, providing them with a vital source of hydration for themselves, their livestock, and their crops. The historical significance of Timbuktu as a center of learning and commerce during the medieval period is well documented, but this image offers a glimpse into the daily life of its inhabitants during a time when the city's fortunes had waned. The women in the photograph, their faces obscured by veils, carry the water with quiet determination, their bodies bent under the weight of their loads. The ponds themselves, large and shallow, reflect the clear blue sky above, creating a stark contrast to the arid surroundings. This photograph is a poignant reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit, as well as the importance of water in sustaining life in even the most inhospitable of environments. It invites us to reflect on the rich history and culture of Timbuktu, a city that continues to captivate the imagination of travelers and scholars alike.

MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools

SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you

* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.



redeem
Beautiful Photo Prints and Gifts
image
Professionally Printed
inventory
Photo Prints are in stock
thumb_up
Professional quality finish
diamond
Made with high-grade materials
inventory_2
Carefully packed to aid safe arrival



Related Images


Market Place - A Quarter of Baghdad, Iraq
Market Place - A Quarter of Baghdad, Iraq
Jerusalem, illustration from Faust journal, c. 1860 (engraving)
Jerusalem, illustration from Faust journal, c. 1860 (engraving)
Pool of Siloam, Jerusalem, 1857 (b / w photo)
Pool of Siloam, Jerusalem, 1857 (b / w photo)
Picture No. 11675599
Picture No. 11675599
Picture No. 11675612
Picture No. 11675612
Mali, Timbuktu, Sahara Desert, Tuareg camel riders
Mali, Timbuktu, Sahara Desert, Tuareg camel riders
HOLY LAND: QUMRAN. Ruins of the ancient village of Qumran on the northwestern shore
HOLY LAND: QUMRAN. Ruins of the ancient village of Qumran on the northwestern shore
An Anglo-Indian column in Baghdad during World War I
An Anglo-Indian column in Baghdad during World War I
Arab porters in Main Street, Baghdad, Iraq
Arab porters in Main Street, Baghdad, Iraq
The Ecce Homo Arch across the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, 1857 (b / w photo)
The Ecce Homo Arch across the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, 1857 (b / w photo)
Fragment peacocks inscription 1000-1100s Iraq
Fragment peacocks inscription 1000-1100s Iraq
Bahram Chubineh captured Khusrau Parviz verso
Bahram Chubineh captured Khusrau Parviz verso

+

Shipping

+

Choices

+

Reviews

+

Guaranteed