These days, when we hear about Mali in the news it tends to be a bit of a downer. We read about jihadist attacks or military coups, or perhaps a sad story about someone who has been displaced and is deeply struggling to get by. These stories are true, but it is important to remember that Mali is still a place of culture, beauty, and good people. If you need a quick hit of that more positive angle, explore Discover Malian Culture: The 4 Marvelous Ms by Google.
Child Begging: A Real Problem in Mali
By Adama Kone, Teacher Project Coordinator
Some people think the kids in big cities have an easier time that kids in our small partner villages, but that is not always the case. Take begging for example. Begging is one of the hardest things that authorities have been trying to address in Mali. Beggars in Mali are usually kids although now we see all ages involved.
Still, most beggars are young children and it is a risky business. The most common beggars are sets off twins because many people think that it is culturally right to turn your children into beggars if they are twins. Kids are sent out on busy roads to beg, risking accidents in the road or danger from strangers. Sometimes people even make their children look like twins and send them out begging!
Unfortunately, begging has recently taken on dramatic proportions to the point of becoming a real problem Malian society. This practice is well known because it happens in every single busy roads in Mali.
In my own neighborhood, I know Fousseyni and Awa who are 8-year-old twins. They spend every day begging in front of a mosque with their mother. The twins also walk long distances every day in order to beg in other neighborhoods. The twins told me that on their walks they meet students of their age who are attending school. Fousseyni said these kids seem so cheerful and carefree to him.
Their mother dropped her twins out of school so they could beg full-time. If they were enrolled, they would have been in 3rd grade. She explained to me that she did not have the correct paperwork to send the twins to school and their father did not support this in any case.
A band of young boys waits by the road to beg in Adama’s neighborhood.
In the long run, some children who grow up begging turn to crime because they grow out of the age to beg but have no education or skills for fall back on. That is the reason the government has been trying hard to stop the practice with no success. In fact, some times child beggars can make other kids drop out of school too by going out with them on streets and showing them how to make quick money begging rather than working in school.
I share this sad story to illustrate just one of the many pressures on young people in Mali to drop out of school and earn a living to help their family. This is part of what inspires me to do the work I do – when I see how hard kids have to strive to get an education, I want to do anything I can to help them.
Celebrating the End of the Year By Jumping in the River!
Celebrating A Pending Wedding in Mali
Mali Kids Go Door-to-Door Too, But Not for Halloween!
Tradition means a lot to the Malian people! We deeply love our traditions, and many things are passed on from generation to generation such as long greetings, handshakes, and blessings. One of these traditional things that children learn very early is giving and receiving blessings during two annual feasts, Tabaski and Ramadan. Tabaski was just celebrated a the end of July, and even in the time of COVID-19, our traditions continued.
After School Chores in Mali Are a Little Different
One of the sources of income for Mali Rising’s Girls Project girls and their mothers during the winter is making shea butter by hand. Maybe you have used shea butter yourself — it is a wonderful moisturizer and you may find it on the ingredients label of many products you use! In this post, one of our Girls Project members tells us about how she and her mother make shea butter.
Weaving a Life in Mali
In Mali there are a wide variety of craft activities that many people live on in Mali and makes the country proud. These jobs seem to be disappearing in Mali because of modernization. I would like to talk to you about a traditional activity that still exists in Mali, especially in certain remote places in the country. The craft I am thinking of is weaving. Some Malians think it is very useful and many make a good living thanks to this profession.
Twin Brothers Drive Each Other to Achieve
Travelogue: Day 6 -- Visiting the Ks, Kafara & Kolimba
On this Thursday morning we woke in the big city of Bamako, but immediately headed south to the “big” town of Ouelessebougou. Ouelessebougou is home to our own kind of “home-away-from-home” hotel for me, the staff, and Tim, but it was a new experience for Courtney. As hotels go, it is pretty basic — no hot water, no sheets, no towels, etc. BUT it does have a wonderful mango tree in a little courtyard that serves us quite well as an office and living room. Before making ourselves at home at the hotel though, we had to get some work done. First, we visited the village of Kafara and then we headed on the long drive to Kolimba.
How Mali Celebrates!
By Sam Eliason, Mali Rising Intern
Cultures around the world celebrate holidays with traditions and ceremonies both familiar and diverse. As we enter the holiday season here in the United States, I wanted to find out the ways Malians celebrate their special days.
Along with many common holidays we celebrate in the states, Mali celebrates Islamic holidays such as the End of Ramadan, the Feast of the Sacrifice, and the Birth of Muhammed the Prophet .Approximately 85 to 95 percent of Malians are Muslim, so these holidays are celebrated with traditions across the country. At the conclusion of Ramadan, Malian families celebrate Abraham’s sacrifice by sacrificing a sheep and holding a small feast. Gifts, usually in the form of meats and prepared foods, are exchanged as a show of unity and people wear their best dress.
In January, Armed Forces Day is celebrated to honor those serving in armed forces. On September 22, Mali celebrates its Independence Day which is an occasion for celebrating independence from France in 1960. Parades and political speeches are held, much like our Independence Day celebrations.
Along with National Holidays, there are festivals held around Mali that draw the attention of visitors and leaders. One such festival is that of the Niger River. “This Segou February festival is filled with music, dance, puppet shows, workshops, craft vendors, and pirogue boat races along the Niger River. No fewer than 15 of the Segou's unique puppetry and dance styles are represented, which also attracts many of Mali’s famous musicians. Wood carvings, paintings, sculptures, and photographs from the country’s most talented artists are displayed in galleries around the region. Actors, musicians, and puppeteers accompany centuries-old legends that Segovian storytellers share beneath the balanzan trees” (iExplore).
Seeing the similarities and differences of cultures around the world is a show of individualism, tradition, and uniqueness that is quite fascinating. We wish you the happiest of holidays from Mali Rising as you enjoy your traditions, whatever they are, this holiday season!
Works Cited
“Mali Holidays and Festivals.” Adventure Tourism - Experiential Travel Guides, IExplore, www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/africa/mali/festivals-and-events.
“Mali.” Countries and Their Cultures, Countries and Their Cultures, www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Mali.html.
