Why Mali

This is probably the first question people think right before deciding to travel to any country. Like any other country in the world, Mali as specific cultures and cultural aspects that are unique in the world.

Mali ethnic richness and mix of values created along the times a unique society where music above all always stayed present. The music of Mali is dominated by forms derived from the ancient Mande Empire. Some famous singers and musicians like are Boureima Keita, Ali Farka Touré, Salif Keita and Oumou Sangaré, but also, other remarkable kinds from the Sahara Desert like Tinariwen, the first Tuareg electric band active since the 1970s.

From its people, Bambara are the biggest ethnic group with 33% of the population, Fulani with 10%, Senoufo around 9%, Songhay 7%, Malinke with 6%, Tuareg 5%, and Dogon the smallest faction with 4% of the population.

Mali by its geographic situation, ties the Sahara Desert and the African Savannah.

Places like Timbuktu and the Land of the Dogons have always been on the top of list for travel and adventure destinations for several centuries.

Map of Mali

Map of Mali from Lonely Planet

About Mali

“One people, one goal, one faith” – Mali’s motto

Mali is a country located in West Africa that has had an important role in African history due to its unique regions and people.

Mali is the 7th largest country in the African continent (24th in the world), and it borders Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania.

Bamako is the country’s capital with around 2 million people and is currently estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa (6th fastest growing city in the world).

Through out the history, this specific region used to be very powerful due to the trans-Sahara route trade, which linked numerous sub-Sahara countries from “Black Africa” with countries in North Africa “Arab Africa” and Europe. Some West African empires that controlled trans-Saharan trade route left significant traditions and historical buildings.

Quick Mali history line

• Ghana Empire – 8th century
• Mali Empire – 14th century
• Songhai Empire – late 14th century
• French control – late 19th century
• Mali Federation (unification of Senegal and Mali) – 1959
• Republic of Mali – 22nd September 1960

Mali sites listed on the World Heritage List from UNESCO

• Old Towns of Djenné (1988)
• Timbuktu (1988)
• Tomb of Askia in Gao (2004)
• Cliff of Bandiagara in the Land of the Dogons (1989)

Properties submitted on the Tentative List

• Kamablon (1999)
• La Boucle du Baoulé (1999)
• Es-Souk (1999)

For updates and further details on Mali and UNESCO projects please visit the Mali Unesco page.

Photo of Timbuktu

Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu, Mali