When people think of Koundara, they think of Badiar. Rising like a sentinel over the prefecture, Mount Badiar is more than just a geographical landmark – it is the heartbeat of the region, shaping its culture, its identity, and its pride.
The mountain divides Koundara into two parts: Badiar to the west and Damma to the east. Local leaders say the town’s soul is inseparable from this imposing natural monument, which has become a symbol of heritage and belonging for generations.
“It’s our reference, it’s our identity. When we talk about Koundara, we have to say Koundara Badiar.
The town is split in two: to the west, Badiar, at the foot of the mountain, and to the east, Damma. Mount Badiar is the very identity of Koundara,” said Mamadou Saïdou Sow, first vice-mayor of the commune.
Authorities and residents have embraced the mountain as a powerful cultural and tourism emblem, using its image to promote the prefecture well beyond Guinea’s borders.
Among the flagship events is the Badiar Arts Festival (FESTAB), held each December at the foot of the mountain, which draws visitors from across the country and neighboring regions.
“We use the image of the mountain in almost all of our communications, even on our posters. Every year in December, FESTAB is held in the heart of Badiar and attracts many visitors,” Sow added.
The festival extends its reach to nearby sub-prefectures, including Kouré Niaaki, where traditional ceremonies and striking demonstrations unfold. “You should attend an edition to discover these unique rites.
In Kouré Niaaki, for example, one group uses traditional rifles while another uses… bees.
In Maroun and other locations nestled in the mountains, visitors also discover astonishing sites,” the vice-mayor explained.
FESTAB is more than a celebration; it is a living museum of Koundara’s traditions, landscapes, and ancestral customs. For locals, Mount Badiar is not only a mountain—it is their history carved in stone and their future standing tall against the horizon.
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