Bla was established as an outpost by Biton Mamary Coulibaly
during the expansion of the Ségou (or Bamana) Empire around the first half of
the 18th century. The verb "ka bila" means to "leave
behind" in Bamana, thus Bla's name relates to the town's original
function, a supply outpost where the Bamana Empire's military left arms and grain
for later use
