Mali

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 - Sahel region, Niger River

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)

Mali Kan

An Introduction to West African Music and Culture from the Masters of of Malian music: Traditional Djembe and Bonkolo Drumming, Kora, Guitar. Brought to you by international musician Rusty Eklund