title: Tindirma
text: # Tindirma
  
  Tindirma is a village and commune of the Cercle of Diré in the Tombouctou Region of Mali. As of 1998 the commune had a population of 3,419.
  
  ## History
  
  Established in 1496, Tindirma was once a Jewish community founded by Iberian Sephardi Jews who had been expelled from Spain and Portugal. Jewish graves and structures still remain in Tindirma. After founding, Tindirma quickly became an important trade and administrative town within the Songhai Empire; becoming the capital of the eastern provinces of Songhai. In 1963, the ethnic consciousness of Jewish descendants living in Tindirma was revived after local fishermen wanted to built a village on top of the remains of Al Yahudi Cemetery, causing local Jews to rise up in strong opposition.
  
  