Mali is one colorful country, diverse in the way of doing things but united in purpose as a people. Although they have been tensions over the past years, Malians are very tolerant of people and who have co-existed for years even with their cultural and religious differences.
Religion
Mali's religious landscape is made up largely of Islam, Christianity, and traditional beliefs. Muslims contribute an estimated 95%, Traditional beliefs about 3% and Christianity contributes 2% of the population.
Malian religion was predominantly African ancestral beliefs before the Islamic traders came along in the 13th century and influenced the Africans.
Christianity is made up of Roman Catholics and Protestants. Despite the different religious affiliations, there is a lot of religious tolerance and harmony amongst the people of Mali.
Food and cuisine
Malian dishes are mainly based on cereal grains. Rice and millet are eaten as staple food in Mali. Dishes in Mali comprise of ingredients such as sweet potatoes, chicken, beef, mutton, goat meat, vegetables. Dishes vary from tribe to tribe and from region to region.
Popular dishes include Fufu, a thick porridge made of cassava flour, best eaten with soups, and using the hands, Jollof rice, colorful rice cooked with a mixture of onions, tomato paste, beef, chicken or fish, and peanut butter sauce.
Riz au Gras is a dish made from rice and vegetables with meat. Drinks include Jinjinbere, a drink made from lemon, sugar, and ginger. Dabileni is another drink consumed in Mali and made out of sugar, water, and sorrel. Meals in Mali end with a drink
Music
Music is the one thing that unites people all over Mali and Africa as a whole. Though there are many tribes in Mali, they are all united by music. Popular music instruments in Mali is Kora, drums, and flutes. Recent music genres include Afro-fusion or Afro Jazz.
One popular musician from Mali is Salif Keita who fuses Mande-based afro-pop and traditional garb. Music in Mali is now mixed with western influences to produce a unique sound and musicians like Molly Kante have also mixed traditional Mande music with techno.
Other popular musicians in Mali include Vallery Assouan and Vieux Farka Toure.
Art.
Art is a very vital component of African daily life and Mali is of no exception. Mali is diverse with artistic traditions that have been passed on for years. These include pottery, traditional textiles, sculpture, jewelry, architecture, and furniture making.
Textiles are mostly done by women and include wedding blankets and tie-dyed mud cloth of the Djenne. Gold jewelry is very important to Malians except for the Tuareg who use silver. The Dogon women wear eight small rings on their ears to symbolize their Dogon ancestors.
Mali women also create beads made out of amber, stone, or clay. Most people in Mali wear charms and talismans, bracelets, amulets, and rings which are believed to ward off evil spirits.
The various Malian tribes also create masks that are worn for various occasions. The masks are called the Chiwaras in Bambara.
Sport
Malian sport is dominated by football. Most towns in Mali have their football teams and most young people aspire to be footballing greats someday like Seidou Keita, Salif Keita, Fredric Kanoute, Adama Coulibaly, and Diakite, to name but a few.
Mali was elected to host the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, which they hosted successfully. Mali men’s football team has competed at different stages like the FIFA world cup, CHAN, and the Africa cup of Nations.
Another sporting code that has grown in popularity in Mali over the years is basketball. Mali women’s basketball team competed at the 2008 summer games in Beijing.
" Its a place to be" - Martin from Canada
