|
|
|
The Kingdom of Mali: 1200-1450
|
There are 15 to 20 million Fulb� spread across West Africa.
Approximately 1.1 million Fulb� who speak the Maasina dialect of Fulfulde, live in central and northern Mali along the Niger River. There are another 85,000 Fulb� in western Mali who speak the Futa Toro dialect.
Traditionally, the Fulb� were nomadic cattle herders, but in recent years increasing numbers are settling down while others have migrated to the cities. Almost all Fulb� are Muslim; in fact this is part of their identity. However, about 40 Fulb� have become Christians in the past several years.
Mali, about the size of Texas or California, is located in the West African savanna region--a transition zone between the coastal rain forest and the desert. The northern third of the country lies within the Sahara Desert and is sparsely settled.
Although French is Mali's official language, Fulfulde is the language spoken by the Fulb� in the country. The people of Mali can be divided into two main groups: the settled farmers in the southern half of the country while the north, or the Sahel as it is often called, is dominated by nomadic cattle, sheep and goat herders--the Fulb�, the Tuaregs, and the Moors.
Most Malians live in small towns and villages; only about 16 percent live in communities of more than 5,000 people. Malians take great pride in being descendants of ancient African empires--Gana, Mali, and Songhai kingdoms--which controlled the West African savanna from 800-1500 A.D. The French came into Mali in the 1880's. Mali became independent in 1960.
Bibliography.
Adler, Philip. World Civilizations.. (West Publishing Company; Minneapolis, 1996)
Davidson, Basil. African Civilization Revisited. (African World Press; Trenton, 1991).
Jackson, John. Introduction to African Civilizations. (The Citadel Press; New Jersey, 1970).
Koslow, Philip. Centuries Of Greatness. (Chelsea House Publishers; New York, 1995).
Martin, Phyllis, and Patrick O'Meara. Africa , 3rd ed. (Indiana University Press; Bloomington, 1995).
|
|
|
|
|
Geography
|
Location: Western Africa, between Mauritania and NigerMap references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea: total area: 1.24 million km2
land area: 1.22 million km2 comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of TexasLand boundaries:
total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote
d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 kmCoastline:
0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims: none; landlockedInternational disputes:
the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted
to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ
issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept;
Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the
tripoint with NigerClimate:
subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild
June to November; cool and dry November to FebruaryTerrain:
mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south,
rugged hills in northeastNatural resources:
gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore,
manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploitedLand use:
arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25%
forest and woodland: 7% other: 66%Irrigated land: 50 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
hot, dust-laden harmattan; haze common during dry seasons; desertification
Note: landlocked
|
|
|
|
|
� Birth of an Idea
|
� Birth of an Idea
�
The travelers were returning from Mt. Kailas. It is the most sacred of all mountains to Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bonpos. The mountain has an ethereal beauty. Mt. Kailas is located in one of the remotest areas of the world -- the Ngari region of Western Tibet. To many, it is the navel of the earth.
|
|
|
|
| Favourite Links
|
|
MY GUEST BOOK
I hope you enjoy the page, and if you have any questions or comments feel free to sign it! And you are welcome to view the guest book also!! :�
|
|
|
Mali
an literature at a glance. As the historian Adame(e) Kon� Ba shows, the arrival of French in Mali is very recent when considered in the time frame of an ancient history. It dates ...
|
|
An MBendi Profile: Mali
Country Profile. Mali. Basic Country Data Map of Country African Resource Network Major Companies Personalities List Industries Basic Country Data Mali is an independent ...
|
|
|
|
|