Traditional sanitation in Djenné, Mali

The typical toilet of Djenné, njege is quite unique. There are some examples in other cities, such as Mopti and Timbouctou. This form of sanitation has probably been developed to overcome the problems of lack of space and water.

How is it built?

On the terrace roof top the toilet (and sometimes bath) are constructed. Alongside the house a kind of chimney is constructed where the excreta falls into. Urine and bathwater is lead through a different discharge hole either to small gutter or collected in a regularly emptied pot. The chimney ends in a slightly larger container where the faeces lands and dries out. When full the container is opened and emptied by masons. Afterwards it is closed and ready for use.

There lays a challenge to transform this sanitation system in an ecological system by using the excreta and the waste water in a safe way.

CEK has written a report on this study. It is available in French only: Rapport de mission sur l'assainissement écologique Djenné