Mali has a long history of visual and performing arts as well as literature. The country is a hub of African music and a center of world music activities. Visual and performing art is everywhere. Entire villages are dedicated to producing generation after generation of griots. Griots are a combination musician, storyteller, historian and social critic. Blacksmiths not only provide a utilitarian service but are wood and metal sculptors as well. Mud cloth painting with its technique and style is something only found here. For hundreds of years northern Mali was the center of trade between Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Through trade Malians have experienced and assimilated many aspects of culture from other parts of the world. Art and literature are a living, vital process here and an integral part of the culture. A quick web search will produce lists of painters, musicians, performers and writers all having their roots in Mali.
dominic(at)medialabafrica.com
dominic(at)medialabafrica.com
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Nine: Malian Culture of the 1960s
Mali has a long history of visual and performing arts as well as literature. The country is a hub of African music and a center of world music activities. Visual and performing art is everywhere. Entire villages are dedicated to producing generation after generation of griots. Griots are a combination musician, storyteller, historian and social critic. Blacksmiths not only provide a utilitarian service but are wood and metal sculptors as well. Mud cloth painting with its technique and style is something only found here. For hundreds of years northern Mali was the center of trade between Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Through trade Malians have experienced and assimilated many aspects of culture from other parts of the world. Art and literature are a living, vital process here and an integral part of the culture. A quick web search will produce lists of painters, musicians, performers and writers all having their roots in Mali.