Music in Mali is very vibrant and is famous throughout the world. Mali is an important place in the country of West Africa. The wonderful landscape of the place together with the many historical structures makes it an important tourist spot. The people of the region engage themselves in a host of activities and lead a vibrant and colorful life. Music in Mali occupies an integral part in the life of the ethnic tribes in the region.
Music in Mali depends on the different regions of the country. It started with the Mande tribe of the region. The musicians belonging to this group have led to the growth of popular music together with folk music. The ethnic groups that surrounded the region have also influenced the music of the region.
The Bamana people live in the central part of Mali. Their music is simple and pentatonic. There are many well known Bamana performers. They have a distinct style in which they use the Bajourou which is a kind of guitar music. The Djembe drumming of the tribes have also become very popular in the world. This is the traditional instrument in Mali.
The Mndinka tribe lives in Mali. The instrument that they use is the Kora. The music is influenced by their neighbors: The Wolof and the Jola. The Maninka music is the most complex of the three different types of Music in Mali. The music is heptatonic and a large number of instruments are also used. Female vocalists dominate the music and there are dance beats. The traditional instrument is the Ngoni lute.
The Jeliya refers to a group of musicians who are supported by their sponsors. The job of the group is to relate the history of the family. They also request the patrons to behave properly so that the honor of the family is not tarnished. They also act as mediators and solve the disputes. The music of the Jeliya is followed by dancing. A lot of electrical instruments are also used in the song and dance. There is a refrain in the song and the rest of the lyrics are dedicated to praising the ancestors. The lyrics of the song revolve around a surname. Every surname has an epithet. Proverbs are also largely used in the traditional music. The Kora is the most famous instrument and has almost 21 to 25 strings. The other common instruments are Balafon and Ngoni.
In the recent years the Wassoulou Music in Mali has become very popular throughout the world.
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