They are known as mandike in Gambia also known as Bambara in Mali, Dyula in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, and Malinke in Guniea.
With a population of 11 million the Mandinka are the biggest ethnic group of all Mande peoples, they all speak different dialects of the Mande language. They are descendants of the great Mali Empire in West Africa.
The history of Mandinka people started in what is today southern mali. Hunters from the Ghana Empire (Wagadou) founded the Mandinka country in Manden
Mansa Musa came to the Mandinka throne in 1312, he oversaw the conquest of Ghana and ruled Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad. Mansa in Bambara means king.
The enslaved Kunta Kinte was also said to be from these Mandike people.
The Mandinka have a rich oral history that has been passed down through singers. A very unique way of oral history. They are known for their drumming and also for their unique instrument, the kora. The kora is a 21 string harp like instrument made out of a gourd covered with cow skin. The strings are made of fishing line.
Originally the Mandinkas practiced traditional African spirituality. Between the 8th and 10th centuries, the Soninke were the first Mandinka to accept Islam thanks to the Arab Berbers who traded in this region.
Maa Ngala is the name of traditional Mandike spirituality. The Komotigui (spiritual priest and priestesses) are those who have been initiated to be intermediates for Maa Ngala. Men are not considered if he hasnot gone through the rite of circumcision.
The universal force is called Nyama similarly the Ghanaians call it Nyame.
Mande stories have had significant impact on the writings and belief system of surrounding peoples such as the Dogon, Fulani, Serer, and Wolof.
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