Mali

Begin Your Journey to Mali

Although they must cope with relentless poverty on a day-to-day basis, Mali's people are proud of their illustrious history as well as their culture. Their strength, independence, and hard work have enabled them to survive in this beautiful but harsh environment.

Malian civilization is indeed ancient, with rock paintings dating back tens of thousands of years to when Mali was a green, lush paradise. The first regional empire was the empire of Ghana, which was overthrown in the 11th century by Muslim Berbers from Morocco and Mauritania.

In the 13th century, Sundiata Keita had firmly converted Mali to Islam and consolidated control over the trade of gold and salt. Several progressive "mansas" (lords) created the sophisticated and cosmopolitan cities of Timbuktu and Djenné, complete with universities, libraries and, of course, mosques. Several other empires and forces overcame and ruled Mali over the next five hundred years, including the French, who made Mali a colony in 1883. European incursions into the trade of West Africa circumvented the Saharan region and greatly reduced its economic power. Mali, during its heyday, had concentrated on religion and education rather than commerce and military might and thus became the "poor cousin" among the French colonies. Timbuktu, the once flourishing oasis of education and culture, became the synonym for "isolated."

Mali gained its independence from France in 1960 and spent many years attempting to retain good relations with France while at the same time aligning itself with the Soviet Union. Some disastrous economic moves and socialistic projects plunged Mali into a severe economic depression, causing a bloodless coup in 1968 and the advent of the leadership of Moussa Traoré. Traoré ruled until 1991, when his totalitarian approach and harsh treatment of opponents caused another coup. This time, however, the coup leaders' goal was democracy, and multiparty elections were held in 1992. Mali has remained a stable democracy since that time.

Climate changes and increasing demands for water and grazing areas have contributed greatly to the growth of the desert. The river Niger, which winds through the country up to the Sahara, along with its seasonally flooding shorelines, provides farmers with arable land. The one bright spot on the economic horizon in Mali is the discovery of significant deposits of gold, which is now its third largest export, behind cotton (grown in the greener south) and livestock.

Mali's culture is diverse and fascinating. The Niger River has linked three major ethnic groups throughout history, and each contributes to Mali's welfare in its own way. The Bambara, the largest tribe in Mali, are generally the civil servants and live in the urban areas, such as Bamako, the capital of Mali. The Dogons and the Taureg practice the more traditional lifestyles. The Taureg are the desert Nomads, fierce fighters, and fine artists. The Dogon are Mali's industrious farmers, living along the delta of the Niger. Mali is famous worldwide for its music and its musicians. The Griots, a social caste in Malian society since the days of the empire, are the musicians of Mali. The musical culture is encouraged and supported in Mali in an effort to keep indigenous culture strong and vital.

Mali is a country that faces many challenges--limited, dispersed population, extreme poverty, and increasing environmental concerns, to name a few. But its people are proud, motivated, and willing to work on overcoming these challenges. Credit with Education provides thousands of rural women with the tools to do just that. Click on Our Work in Mali to find out how this program works to help these women improve their lives and the lives of their families.