VILLA SILI AND CASE A PALABRES

Villa Sili or Villa Jeannine is a long colonial-style building, originally painted white, but adorned with pink during its renovation in 2014. From the villa's living room, you have a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The léfas ceiling (round wickerwork trays) decorating part of this room was redone during the renovation; however, all the antique furniture and decorative elements have disappeared, causing the whole to lose much of its charm. Villa Jeannine, renamed Villa Sili at independence, was built in 1936 by Governor Blacher. Subsequently, this house became the residence of successive governors of French West Africa (AOF). After independence, President Sékou Touré received his distinguished guests here. Today, the villa and the adjoining huts (round huts housing rooms, also renovated in 2014) should welcome guests of the prefecture. But to date, there are few visitors. In May 2022, a private operator was interested in this site with incredible potential, wishing to give it back its former splendor and make it a real resort for future visitors.

The palaver hut (located behind the pine trees at the entrance to the site on the right) is a round building built on the model of traditional Peul huts made of earth and covered with straw. Here, there is no straw but metal sheets: less typical, but it resists better to time. Fortunately, the interior has been preserved and even renovated (too bad, air conditioners were not really necessary): the walls and the floor are covered with patterns and bas-reliefs in clay, very original. This hut was built to provide a solemn setting for meetings between traditional chiefs and was apparently used for meetings with the governor before Independence. It is said that it was here that major decisions were taken or endorsed, such as the abolition of traditional chieftaincy. It is difficult to confirm or deny, but it is a unique building that deserves a visit.

To get to the site, take the road that passes in front of the Tangama hotel and goes down towards the village of Yomou. When you arrive, you will certainly come across one of the guards, who will come to open the door and give you a short guided tour. He will also propose you some articles of the local craft industry. The price of the visit is to be negotiated on the spot.