The
Music of Mali is, like that of most African nations, ethnically diverse, but one influence predominates; that of the ancient
Mali Empire of the Mandinka (from c. 1230 to c. 1600).
Mande people (Bambara, Maninke, Soninke) make up 50% of the country's population, other
ethnic groups include the
Fula (17%),
Gur-speakers 12%,
Songhai people (6%),
Tuareg and
Moors (10%) and another 5%, including Europeans. Mali is divided into eight regions;
Gao,
Kayes,
Koulikoro,
Mopti,
Ségou,
Sikasso,
Tombouctou and
Bamako (the eighth region,
Kidal, was created in 1991).