People of Mali
Although Mali is today one of the poorest countries in the world, it has a long past as an essential part of great empires. Its population is comprised of a number of different peoples including the Bambara (who are the largest racial group in the country), the Songhai, Mandinka, Senoufo, Fula and Dogon. The largest and most important Mande groups is the Bambara, with 80% of the population speaking its language. Each of their ethnic groups have their own unique languages and history, yet generally interact well with each other. The Dogon tribe is the poorest tribe in Mali with only 400,000 to 800,00 people living in Mali. Mali's population includes several ethnic groups, each with its own languages and cultural practices. Each of these groups has passed down their traditions, history, and occupations over the centuries. For more than 600 years, Mali has been a crossroad of western Africa.
Ethnic Groups
The main ethnic groups of Mali are the Mande, which are the Bambara, Malinke, and Sarakole, with a total of 50% of the population. Other groups include the Fulani, with 17% the Voltaic, making up 12%, the Tuareg and Moor making 10% and the Songhai, with 6%. The Bambaras mostly occupied all of central Mali bordered by the Cote d'Ivoire in the south and Nara in the north. The Malinke reside mainly in the regions of Bamako, the capital city of Mali. The Fulani which were herdsmen, are mostly found throughout the republic,but mainly in the region of Mopti. The Songhais were mostly farmers, fishermen, and merchants mainly live along the banks and islands of the Niger River. The Tureg, are mainly in the north and the Minianka populate the region of Koutiala. The Dogon are believed to have survived owing to their villages in the Hombori cliffs. They have won international esteem for their unique artifacts. The rest of the population is composed of numerous agricultural groups, some of whom are descended from the peoples of the ancient empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. The Bambara (Bamana), who live along the upper Niger River, make up the largest group. The Soninke are descended from the founders of the Ghana empire and live in the western Sahelian zone. The Malinke, bearers of the heritage of the Mali empire, live in the southwest, while the Songhai are settled in the Niger valley from Djenné to Ansongo. The Dogon live in the plateau region around Bandiagara, and the Bwa, Bobo, Senufo, and Minianka occupy the east and southeast.
In some cases, people marry outside their ethnic group and speak languages that were different from those of their ancestors without changing their culture. In other cases, however, identity does change, especially as people move internally and adopt Bambara, the most widely spoken African language in Mali.
In some cases, people marry outside their ethnic group and speak languages that were different from those of their ancestors without changing their culture. In other cases, however, identity does change, especially as people move internally and adopt Bambara, the most widely spoken African language in Mali.