Mali is a country in West Africa with a population of approximately 22 million people. It has a rich history and culture, with notable historic landmarks and festivals such as the Festival au Désert and the Grand Mosque of Djenne. The country has a diverse geography, including the Sahara desert in the north and the Niger River and its delta in the south. Mali boasts abundant natural resources such as gold and uranium.

 

Books

1

4.4/5

Amkoullel l’enfant Peul

by Adame Ba Konaré

2

4.2/5

The Bitter Side of Sweet

by Tara Sullivan

3

4.6/5

Dictatorland

by Paul Kenyon

4

4.1/5

Segu

by Maryse Condé

5

3.9/5

Mansa Musa and the Empire of Mali

by P. James Oliver

Written by French-Malian writer and poet, Adame Ba Konaré, this book is a fascinating story about the life of a Fulani boy in Mali. Through poetic language and lively illustrations, it tells the coming of age story of Amkoullel, whose life is shaped by his parents’ teachers and friends as he learns about his identity and place in the world. The book also highlights the importance of community and family ties, as well as traditional customs and beliefs. It offers readers insights into the culture and lifestyle of Mali’s largest ethnic group – the Fulani people – while teaching valuable lessons about self-discovery, acceptance and resilience.

In present-day Ivory Coast, two adolescent boys are compelled to flee from a life of enslavement.

The leader of a country who accumulated immense wealth from its cocoa crop, using it to construct a towering basilica amidst the dense forests of Ivory Coast. An austere and uncorrupted ruler who has imposed a state of perpetual war and conscripted all adults into the armed forces, effectively cutting Eritrea off from the rest of the world. A paranoid dictator in Equatorial Guinea who idolized Hitler and carried out a ruthless campaign of terror against his own people. The Libyan army officer who authored The Green Book, a new work of political philosophy, and lived in a tent surrounded by a harem of female soldiers, running the country like a mafia enterprise.

Segu, based on real-life events, takes the reader on a captivating journey through a significant era in history, portraying the down-to-earth spirituality, intense religious devotion, and aggressive tendencies of a nation and its people struggling to deal with jihads, national conflicts, and racial prejudices.

Mansa Musa’s well-documented life story, meticulously chronicled by Oliver, takes the reader on a journey filled with elements of exoticism, adventure, and wealth.

Movies

Play Video

1

3.4/5

The Hidden
Face

Play Video

2

3.4/5

The Embrace of the Serpent

Play Video

3

3.6/5

Maria Full
of Grace

Play Video

4

3.6/5

Colors of the Mountain

Play Video

5

3.2/5

The Wind
Journeys

Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako, this film is a political allegory that explores the role of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Africa. The film takes place in a courtroom in Bamako, Mali, where the people of Mali are on trial for their poverty and the role of international institutions in their suffering. The film was highly praised for its bold political statement and powerful storytelling.

Directed by Daouda Coulibaly, this film is a fast-paced crime drama that follows a young man named Ladji as he rises through the ranks of Mali’s criminal underworld. The film explores themes of corruption, violence, and the consequences of living a life of crime.

This film explores the occupation of Timbuktu by Islamist extremist rebels, and the impact it has on the lives of the town’s inhabitants. It was directed by Abderrahmane Sissako and won several awards.

In their home country, four African musicians, among them the music sensation Fatoumata Diawara, are getting ready for a concert. The cultural identity of Mali is being threatened by the imposition of Sharia law, particularly with regards to music, which has become a subject of increasing concern.

A djéliba shows up unexpectedly at Mabo Keita’s house to instruct him on “the significance of his name,” causing a clash between the boy and the griot on one side and his mother and schoolteacher, who have abandoned African traditions, on the other.

Music

Mali has a rich and vibrant musical culture, with traditional music styles as well as contemporary artists. One of the most well-known musicians from Mali is Ali Farka Toure, who was a singer and guitarist known for his fusion of traditional Malian music with blues and other Western styles. He gained international recognition for his music and was considered a pioneer of the desert blues genre. Another prominent musician from Mali is Fatoumata Diawara, who is a singer-songwriter and actress. Her music incorporates traditional Malian styles with elements of jazz, funk, and soul. She has been praised for her powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics, which often address issues such as women’s rights and the refugee crisis. Overall, the music of Mali is diverse and constantly evolving, with a rich history and a bright future thanks to artists like Ali Farka Toure and Fatoumata Diawara.

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