African Towns with Palindromic Names

Palindromes aren’t just wordplay — some African towns have names that read the same forward and backward. From historic trading posts to remote villages, these places carry unique stories behind their mirrored names.

Angola

Iai — A small settlement in southern Angola; its name reflects the local Mbundu language rhythm and is surrounded by savanna landscapes.

Burkina Faso

Ibi — A rural community in the heart of Burkina Faso, known for farming and traditional Mossi culture.

Chad

Madaradam — A remote desert outpost with Sahelian nomadic heritage, located near ancient caravan routes.

Madagascar

Anahanahana — A long palindromic name belonging to a village on Madagascar’s lush east coast, surrounded by tropical forest and rice fields.

Mali

Lellel — A village in western Mali with Fulani and Bambara cultural roots, known for cattle herding.

Morocco

Akka — An oasis town in southern Morocco’s Anti-Atlas mountains, historically a stop for trans-Saharan traders.

Niger

Tassessat — A desert hamlet in northern Niger, near Tuareg nomad trails.

Senegal

Matam — A town along the Senegal River, serving as a trade hub between the Sahel and coastal West Africa.

Sierra Leone

Dibid — A quiet rural settlement in Sierra Leone, rooted in Mende farming traditions.

Somalia

Daba Qabad — A small Somali settlement along traditional camel caravan routes.
Aluula — A historic port on Somalia’s northern coast, once vital for Indian Ocean trade.

Sudan

Illibilli — A village in Sudan’s Nile region with agricultural heritage and Nubian cultural influences.

Zimbabwe

Madoko Dam — A reservoir area in Zimbabwe, surrounded by rural farmland and fishing spots.

Did you know? The first name of Uganda’s infamous former ruler Idi Amin — “Idi” — is also a palindrome.