Mandinka people

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The Mandinka (also known as Mandingo) people, a major ethnic group in West Africa, all descend physically or culturally from the ancient Mali Empire. In the thirteenth century their empire stretched across West Africa, spanning an area as large as the United States. Through a series of Islamic holy wars between 1855 and 1890 the Mandinkas were converted to Islam. Today, over 99% of Mandinka are Muslim.

The Mandinka ethnic group live in West Africa, primarily in Guinea, The Gambia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and even in the central African nation of Chad. The Mandinkas speak the Mandinka language which is similar to Bambara and Maninka or Malinké, and the language is spoken by some five million Mandinkas.

History

The Mandinka migrated west from the Niger River basin in search of better agricultural lands and more opportunities for conquest. During this expansion, they established their rule from modern day Gambia to Guinea. They were probably one of the original groups that inhabited the ancient city of Djenné-Jeno. The Mandes founded the empire of Kaabu, comprised of 20 small kingdoms. Some upper-class Mandinkas converted to Islam during the reign of the great Mansa Musa(1320-1358AD).

The majority of the Mandinka were still animists at the beginning of the 19th century. Through a series of Islamic holy wars between 1855 and 1890, about half of the Mandinkas were forcibly converted to Islam and another third where sold into slavery to Americas. Today, the majority of Mandinka are Muslim. A significant part of the African-Americans in U.S.A. and Carribean are the offspring of these victims of the Islamic Jihad and of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.

Economy

Many Mandinka are rural subsistence farmers who rely on peanuts, rice, millets, and some goats for their livelihood. The oldest male is the head of the family and marriages are commonly arranged. Small mud houses with thatch or tin roofs make up their villages which are organized on the basis of the clan groups.

In the rainy season, men plant peanuts as their main cash crop; peanuts are also a staple of the Mandinka diet. Men also plant millet (coos) and corn, mostly for family consumption. Women work in the rice fields, tending the plants by hand. This is an extremely labor intensive and physically demanding work. Only about 50% of the rice consumption needs are met by local planting; the rest is imported from Asia and the United States.

While farming is the predominant profession among the Mandinka, men also work as tailors, butchers, taxi drivers, woodworkers, metal workers, soldiers, nurses, and extension workers for aid agencies. However, most women, probably 95%, remain in the home as wives and mothers.

Mandinka culture

Mandinka culture is rich in tradition, music, and spiritual ritual. Mandinkas live in an oral society. Learning is traditionally done through stories, songs and proverbs. Western education's impact is minimal; the literacy rate in Roman script among the Mandinkas is quite low. However, more than half the adult population can read the local Arabic script; small Qur'anic schools for children where this is taught are quite more common.

The Mandinka have a rich oral history that is passed down through praise singers or griots. This passing down of oral history through music has made music one of the most distinctive traits of the Mandinka. They have long been known for their drumming and also for their unique musical instrument, the kora. The kora is a twenty-one string harp-like instrument made out of a gourd covered with cow skin. The strings are made of fishing line. It is played to accompany a griot's singing or simply on its own.

Customs of the Mandinka

Most Mandinkas live in family-related compounds in traditional rural villages. Mandinka villages are fairly autonomous and self-ruled, being led by a chief and group of elders.

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Marriages are traditionally arranged by family members rather than either the bride or groom. This practice is particularly prevalent in the rural areas. Kola nuts, a bitter nut from a tree, are formally sent by the suitor's family to the male elders of the bride-to-be, and if accepted, the courtship begins.

Polygamy has been practiced among the Mandinkas since pre-Islamic days. A Mandinka man is legally allowed to have up to four wives, as long as he is able to care for each of them equally. Often the first, second, or third wife won't know of the impending arrival of a new wife until the morning she actually arrives. Mandinka believe the crowning glory of any woman is the ability to produce children, especially sons. The first wife has authority over any subsequent wives. The husband has complete control over his wives and is responsible for feeding and clothing them. He also helps the wives' parents when necessary. Wives are expected to live together in harmony, at least superficially. They share work responsibilities of the compound, cooking, laundry, etc.

Passage into adulthood

Usually associated with the physical act of circumcision, the Mandinka practice a rite of passage which marks the beginning of adulthood for their children. Boys and girls, ranging in age from four to fourteen, are circumcised separately. In years past, the children spent up to a year in the bush, but that has been reduced now to coincide with their physical healing time, between three and four weeks. This group of children form a special, internal bond, one which remains throughout life.

During this time, they learn about their adult social responsibilities and rules of behavior. They learn secret songs which teach them what it is to be a Mandinka. These songs teach them how they are to relate to members of the opposite sex, including their parents, their siblings, their relatives, and eventually their spouses, as well as their elders and their peers. They are cared for and taught by elders of the same sex; these persons become their life-long sponsors, a very special relationship. Great preparation is made in the village or compound for the return of the children. A huge celebration marks the return of these new adults to their families. The children are given new clothes and treated with new respect by their elders. Boys and girls are honored with a dance. As a result of these traditional teachings, the Biblical concept of men and women uniting as one in marriage is totally foreign to the Mandinka mindset. A woman's loyalty remains to her parents and her family; a man's to his.

Religious and spiritual beliefs

Islam

Mandinkas fiercely opposed Islam, for which they paid dearly: about 1/3 of the Mandinkas who refused Islam were sold into slavery to the Europeans slave-traders on the coast and sent to Americas. Almost all the slaves where in fact opposants to Islam. Very few Muslim Mandinkas arrived in fact as slaves in America because Muslim slave-traders, who had the absolute monopoly of the slave gathering in the African interior, did not sell their co-religionists to Europeans. Some Muslim Mandinkas converts were captured by European slave hunters in the villages not far from the coast, like the case described by A. Haley in "Roots", but the historians agree that they comprised less than 2% of the total slave population.

Many other Mandinkas who resisted Islamisation in the 19th century were massacred. The remaining Mandinkas, most probable the surviving half of the total tribe, accepted Islam. The overall outcome of the forced Islamisation process was a large loss of population, massacres of the best elements of the tribe and bloody religious jihadi cleansing against non-Muslims.

The younger generations are not aware that the people were Islamized through force by tribes from the southern fringe of Sahara. More than that, some contemporary Afro-Americans sub-cultures are seeing the Mandinkas as "fierce Muslims." This is true for many Mandinkas in Africa, now, in the 21th century, but is not true and very un-just for the poor slaves sold to Americas in horrible conditions.

Today, over 99% of Mandinka people are Muslim and follow the teachings of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, and the Qu'ran, the holy book of Islam. The contents of the holy Qu'ran are written in both Arabic and English. Thus, for those who don't speak Arabic, there is an English translation next to each passage. Many Mandinka have learned Arabic over the centuries, due to the free education of higher learning, taught in Arabic, offered by the University of Timbuktu since the 11th century. This is one of the many glories of the Mandinka people. They have a rich history of scholarship, culture, innovation and great wealth. Mandinkas pray five times every day. Praying in a group signifies the solidarity of Islam. Complete strangers will stand shoulder-to-shoulder, praying together in a line.

Christianity

Like many Muslims, Mandinkas believe that the Christian Bible has become corrupted because it contradicts the Qu'ran and the sayings of Mohammed. The few Mandinkas who have converted to Christianity are viewed as traitors to Mandinka society, to their heritage, and to their ancestors and they are sometimes rejected by family members.

Spiritual beliefs

During the 1800 Islam was introduced to the Mandinka people. Today the Mandinka still practice Islam but have infused much of their own culture into the religion. For example, a Mandinka may practice salat, Islamic prayer five times a day to Allah, but may also recognize and even sacrifice to a village god or spirit

The Kora

According to "the Kora" (2002) (2002), “the Kora (CORE-uh) has become the hallmark of traditional Mandinka musicians.” Kora (2002) describes that the kora with its 21 strings is made from half a calabash, “covered with cowshed fastened on by decorative tacks.” The kora has sound holes in the side which are used to store coins offered to the praise singers, in appreciation of their performance. The praise singers are called “jalibaa” in Mandinka. "The Kora" (2002) says that “as the kora is played, it begins to take on a life of its own and it is believed that the singer and the instrument become one.” According to "the Kora" (2002) , the kora was traditionally used as “storage for historical facts, to memorize the genealogy of patron families and sing their praises, to act as messengers and intermediaries in disputes between families, to serve as guardians of traditional culture, and to entertain.” Today, however, the kora is losing its importance. "The Kora" (2002) says that although it is a skill passed down from father to son, it is primarily used to entertain people, most especially tourists.

Mandinka in literature

One well-known Mandinka is Kunta Kinte, a main figure in Alex Haley's book Roots and a subsequent TV mini-series. Haley claimed he was descended from Kinte, though this familial link has been criticised by many professional historians and at least one genealogist as highly improbable (see D. Wright's The World And A Very Small Place). Martin R. Delany, a radical 19th century abolitionist in the United States, was of partial Mandinka descent.

Mr. T, of American television fame, once claimed that his distinctive hairstyle was modeled after a Mandinka warrior that he saw in National Geographic magazine.

Notable Mandinkas by country

Sierra Leone

Haidara Kontorfilli, Sierra Leonean charismatic Islamic religious reformer and an anti-colonialist
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, President of Sierra Leone from 1996-2007
Haja Afsatu Kabba, Sierra Leone's minister of Energy and Power
Bomba Jawara, Sierra Leonean politcian and currently a member of parliament of Sierra Leone representing Koinadugu District.
Alhaji Shekuba Saccoh, the current Sierra Leone ambasador to Guinea
Mabinty Daramy, Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry
Kadijatu Kebbay, beauty queen who won Miss University Sierra Leone 2006 beuty contest and later represent Sierra Leone at the Miss World 2006 contest.
Mohamed Kakay, Sierra Leonean politician and currently a member of parliament of Sierra Leone representing Koinadugu District
Karamoh Kabba, Sierra Leonean author, writer, novelist and journalist
Fatmata Tatah Mansaray, Sierra Leonean model and beauty queen
Mohamed B. Daramy, Sierra Leone minister of Development and Economic Planning from 2002-2007.
Kanji Daramy, Sierra Leonean journalist and spokesman for former Sierra Leone's president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah from 2002-2007
Sheka Tarawallie, Sierra Leonean journalist, writer and currently serves as Sierra Leone State House Press Secretary
Brima Dawson Kuyateh, Sierra Leonean journalist and the current president of President of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union
Lansana Baryoh, Sierra Leonean football star
Sidique Mansaray, Sierra Leonean football star
Brima Keita, Sierra Leonean football manager

Guinea

Samory Touré, founder of the Wassoulou Empire, an Islamic military state that resisted French rule in West Africa
Sekou Touré, President of Guinea from 1958-1984; was also the grandson of the famous Samory Touré
Alpha Condé, Guinean politician
Lansana Kouyaté, current prime minister of Guinea
Sidya Touré, Prime Minister of Guinee from 1996-1999
Sekouba Bambino ,Guinean Musician
Sona Tata Condé, Guinean musician
Fode Mansare, Guinean football star
Daouda Jabi, Guinean football star
Mamadi Kaba, Guinean football star
N'Faly Kouyate, Guinean Musician
Kaba Diawara, Guinean football star
Mamady Keïta, Guinean musician
Mory Kanté, Guinean musician
Mamady Condé Guinean foreign from 2004-2007
Alhassane Keita, Guinean football star

Mali

Mansa Musa, The most famous and celebrated of all the Malian emperors
Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire
Modibo Sidibé, current Prime Minister of Mali
Modibo Keita, President of Mali from 1960-1968
Yoro Diakité, former Malian Prime Minister
Salif Keita, Malian musician
Daba Diawara, Malian politician
Toumani Diabaté, Malian musician
Massa Makan Diabate, Malian historian,writer and playwright
Moussa Kouyate, Malian musician
Saidu Keita, Malian football star
Baba Sissoko, Malian musician
Aoua Kéita, Malian politician and activist
Mamady Sidibe, Malian football star
Mohamed Sissoko, Malian football star
Soumaila Coulibaly, Malian football star

Ivory Coast

Henriette Diabaté, Ivorian politician and writer
Kolo Toure, Ivorian football star
Salomon Kalou, Ivorian football star
Arouna Koné, Ivorian football star
Abdul Kader Keïta, Ivorian football star
Bakari Koné, Ivorian football star
Bonaventure Kalou, Ivorian football star
Yaya Touré, Ivorian football star

Senegal

Seckou Keita, Senegalese musician
Souleymane Diawara, Senegalese football star

Liberia

Sekou Conneh, Liberian politicians
Momolu Dukuly, former Liberian foreign minister

Gambia

Dawda Jawara, Prime Minister of Gambia from 1962-1970;

(Sheriff Mustapha Dibba)First vice President of Gambia from 1965-1971

(Jaliba kuyateh),Musician from Gambia

Burkina Faso

Amadou Coulibaly, Burkinabe football star

References In Pop Culture

After reading National Geographic, Mr. T first saw the hairstyle for which he is now famous, on a Mandinka warrior. He felt that adopting the style was a powerful statement about his origins. He has also claimed that he is a descendant of the Mandinka tribe.