Bandiagara is a district capital in the fifth (Mopti) region, and was named by the people of a neighbouring village, Doucombou, who said they were going to the "big platter," a place of abundant meat: the site of an ancient hunting outpost for Ouologem and Tembeli. Traders would leave their wares and produce in exchange for a portion of game meat.

Bandiagara is a city in the Malian "Dogon Country." Pronounced /Ban'yÉ™'gar'É™/, the name translates roughly to "large eating bowl" -- referring to the communal bowl meals are served in.