History of Music in Mali

 Mali music is like that of most African nations, ethnically different, but one influence leads that of the olden Mali Empire of the Manduinka from 1230c to 1600c. The people of Mande comprises Bambara, Sonninke and Maninke that made up of 50% of the country’s populace, other ethnic groups include the Tuareg and Moors is 10%, Gur-speakers is 12%, Fula is 17%, Songhai people is 6% and others 5% including the Europeans. Mali is divided into eight areas such as Kayes, Mopti, Gao, Segou, Sikasso, Koulikoro, Tombouctou and Banako and the eighth region Kidal was created in the year 1991.

source of picture: www.afropop.org

Salif Keita who is a noble-born Malian became a singer who brought Mande-based Afro-pop to the world, changing traditional attire and patterns. He said that he sing is to express himself, though, and not as a traditional jeli or praise-singer. Sidiki Diabate and Toumani Diabate that are kora players have also gained some international popularity and also the late Songhai/Fula guitarist Ali Farka Toure and his successors Afel Bocoum and Vieux Farka Toure, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, the duo Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare and Mory Kante saw major mainstream success with techno influenced Mande music.

Internationally Malian renowned music has been known more for its male musicians locally since 1980s, also female singers such as Kandia Kouyates are everywhere on radio and television, in markets and on the streets corners stalls. Supporters follow them for the critical nature of their lyrics and the view that they embody custom and their part as fashion movement settlers.

Mali national anthem is Le Mali. After their independent under President Modibo Keita groups were state-supported and the government made regional groups for all the seven then areas. From 1962 the group contested in an annual Semaines nationale de la Jeunesse (National Youth Weeks) which was held in Bamako. Keita was removed from office by a coup d’etat in the year 1968 which was organized by General Moussa Traore, most of Keita’s support for the arts was stopped but the Semaines National de la Junesse festival was renamed as Biennale Artistique et Culturelle de la Junesse which is now held in every 2 years beginning from 1970. Important and powerful bands from that time include the first electric dance band, Orchestre Nationale A, and the Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali that is comprising of 40 traditional artists from around the country and still in existence now.

Second Mali’s President Moussa Traore stopped the Cuban music in favour of Malian traditional music. The annual arts festivals do take place biannually and it is known as the Biennales. During the end of 1980s public support for the Malian government fall and praises singing’s support for the status quo and the political leader became unfavoured socially.