Mali
Mali is made up of many ethnic groups. Some of those groups being the Bambara, Tuareg, Dogon, Songhai, Senufo, and Fulani. Each of these groups is unique from another.
French is the main language in Mali but they also speak many others. Over 30 local African languages, such as Bambara, Songhai and Tuareg are used across the country as well. Bambara, being the most commonly spoken language is used by 80% of the people in Mali.
There are Christian minorities and those who follow traditional African beliefs. Over 90% of people are Muslim so mosques form an important part of cultural and social life. Most Malians are Sunni Muslims. Sunni Muslims belong to one of two main Sufi brotherhoods 1. theQuadiriya, which came to West Africa in the 15th century and 2. the Tijaniya, founded in the 18th century and popularised in Mali during the 19th century.
In the time of the great Mali Empire,griots or jalis performed songs for kings and nobles. Music remains important in Mali today. It can be heard everywhere, in vehicles, in streets, from boats on the river and even in the desert. All kinds of African instruments are handmade from local materials.The djembe, an upright drum made from wood and animal skin, is probably the most common. The kora, a string instrument, is also popular and looks a bit like a long, upright banjo. It is made from animal hide stretched over half a calabash, with gut strings along a wooden neck.
Click Here to listen to the kora!
By: Jake Scaffidi and Joscelyn Hengeveld