Highlights of the Mali Culture

The many highlights of the Mali culture are magnified by the many wonderful and diverse tribes which live in this beautiful country.

Mali is a beautiful, land locked country often referred to as the jewel in West Africa's crown. It is home to around 12 million people who are divided into five major tribes:

• Bambara – 31.4% - Many of the civil servant positions in Mali are held by people of the Bambara tribe, the largest tribe in Mali
• Fula Macina – 9.6%
• Soninke – 7.4%
• Sanghai – 6.3%
• Dogon – 5%

Other tribes include the Tuareg and the Fulani, and the Dogons and the Tuareg are the tribes who still live a more traditional way of life.

The Tuareg – known as the blue men of the desert because of their bright indigo robes and turbans, the Tuaregs still live a desert existence as much as possible. They are a proud people famous for both their abilities as fighters as well as their artwork. The government is threatening their traditional lifestyle but it is still possible to see a camel caravan appear and then suddenly disappear again on the desert horizon.

Languages in Mali

Mali has a total of 32 listed languages, it must be all those tribes, but the official language of the country is French. This is used largely as the mother tongue for many of the Bambara tribe, and as a secondary language for nationwide communication via the embassy.

Food in Mali

The food in Mali is not really that different from other areas of West Africa. Fish dishes are of course popular along the banks of the river Niger, and can be fried, stewed, baked or grilled. There is also a very traditional and delicious dish called Couscous De Timbuktu (yes, Timbuktu is actually in Mali), which is basically a beef or lamb stew with dates, couscous and lots of traditional spices.

Mali Arts & Crafts

The Mali people are certainly creative, and are skilled in many artistic fields:

• Wood carvings and masks
• Brass carvings
• Mud cloth fabric designs – this method has been handed down over generations. First of all the cloth is woven, then it is painted by hand using only natural ingredients. Afterwards, it is dipped into specially prepared dyes which are made from mud, left out in the sun to dry and then dipped again. The whole thing can take a few weeks from start to finish but is one of Mali's most famous traditions.
• Wicker creations
• Gold jewelry
• Bead bracelets
• Architecture

Music in Mali

The music in Mali is some of the most contemporary in Africa, with quite a traditional range of musical instruments including a Kamal Ngoni (6 stringed guitar), a Djembe (drum made from deer hide) as well as modern electric keyboards, electric guitars, strings, flutes and rattles. Traditional songs are accompanied by a kora, a 21 string harp-lute type instrument with is plucked between the index finger and the thumb of both hands.