Mali Kan

West African Music and Culture with International Percussionist Rusty Eklund
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The Country, Ethnicity, and Music by Region 

 
 
Regions of Mali
Each region is named for its capitol city.
 

Kayes - Sparsely forested

Koulikoro - Moderately forested

Segou - Moderately forested

Sikasso - The only heavily forested region of Mali

Mopti -

Kidal - Sahara desert

Tombouctou - Sahara desert

Gao - Sahara Desert

and the District of Bamako

 

The Wassalou area straddles the border region of Mali and Guinea between Bougouni and Kankan.

Music Regions

The diversity of musical traditions in Mali follows the plethora of ethnic groups inhabiting the country. Even though each has centers of activity in specific regions most all traditions are present in Bamako.
 
Jenbe Ensemble -
Koulikoro, Sikasso, Segou, Kayes
 
Bonkolo Ensemble
Segou, Koulikoro
 
N'taman
Kayes, Koulikoro, Sgou, Sikasso, Mopti
 
N'taman/Dununba
Kayes, Koulikoro
 
Bobo/Minianka/Senufo Ensembles
Sikasso, Segou, Mopti
 
Gi Dunun (Calabash Drum in Water)
Wassalou
 
Maninka Jeli
Kayes, Koulikoro, Segou, Sikasso
 
Wassalou Music
 
Northern Music
 
Fula
 
Ethnic Groups 
 
The history of Mali traces the conflict, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence of various of ethnic groups inhabiting the region. The Maraka are said to be the original settlers of the area, followed by the Maninka who ruled the Mande Empire and are considered to be a parent to the other Mande groups.
 
Mande Groups
Bamana - Centers in Segou and Sikasso
Maninka -
Maraka (Sarakole or Soninke)
Gana
Kassonke
Kakalo
Djokarame
 
Voltaic Groups
Minianka
Senufo
Bobo
Bwa
 
Cliffdwellers of Bandiagara
Donkono
 
Watermen
Bozo
Somono
 
Sahara Groups
Beyla
Touareg
Songhai
Tukulor
 
Pastoral, found throughout West Africa
Fula (Peul)