These activities support the Virginia Standards of Learning in History and Social Science 3.2, 3.4, 3.8; Study of ancient Mali

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1. Tell it To Me Again!

Until Muslim traders brought Arabic writing to the area, West Africa had no written language. Instead of writing histories, people in West Africa memorized and retold them from generation to generation. A griot is a kind of a historian whose job it was to memorize and recount events and lineages of the past. Most griots can recite the entire history of a family to ancient times. Older griots are very important because they pass on this history to their children, who grow up to become their patron family's next oral historian. As the Malian writer Amadou Hampaté Ba stated, "When an old person dies, a library burns."

Among the Mande, griots act not only as historians but as genealogists, epic poets, musicians, and political motivators, charged with keeping historical traditions of society alive through stories of leaders and heroes. One famous epic recounts the establishment of the ancient empire of Mali by Sundiata, the “Lion King.”

Sundiata was born in the early 1200s in Mali, one of twelve brothers who were heirs to the throne of the kingdom of Kangaba. Sumanguru, the ruler of a neighboring state, overran the kingdom and killed Sundiata’s brothers. Sundiata was spared because he was frail and ill, unable to walk and Sumanguru thought him no threat. He grew strong and eventually overthrew Sumanguru to become ruler of Mali.

Do you remember a favorite story from your early childhood? Perhaps a parent, grandparent, or older brother or sister would read to you when you were small or even create stories from their imaginations. Choose a story that you can remember, or one of your own composition-perhaps telling the story of an important event in your life-to memorize and reenact using costume, music, or movement.

2. Musical instruments

Malian musicians use many fascinating instruments from drums to elaborate stringed lutes, as well as modern acoustic and electric guitars. Study these traditional instruments and then craft your own African-style instrument.

ngoni

a Bamana banjo-like lute found throughout West Africa made from hollowed-out canoe-shaped piece of wood with a dried animal skin stretched over it like a drum. It has three to five strings and the neck is made from a piece of doweling. Because the ngoni is a quiet instrument it is now usually played with an electric pick-up. The ngoni was once played by West African slaves, and developed into the banjo.

djembe

is a drum.

kora

is a sort of harp made from a calabash (a large, hollow gourd) with up to 25 strings.

fle

is a kind of shaker made from a calabash with cowrie shells strung round it. It is shaken and thrown by Wassoulou women, to produce a sound like a maraca.

3. Make a Statement

The way we communicate is not always through words. Body language, clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles can all make a statement about us. They become a means of symbolic communication revealing status, wealth, ethnicity, age, occupation, even a sense of individuality.

Traditions of elaborate personal adornment are especially common among nomadic peoples who must carry with them all of their belongings.

After studying the Kneeling Male Figure from the Djenne region of the Inland Niger Delta, which was sculpted in terra cotta around the 17th century, create a clay sculpture of your own. Focus on gestures that reveal emotion or a state of mind. Choose an adjective such as quiet, energetic, strong, tired, or others to depict using poses and body language.

You will notice this figure seems to have jewelry depicted as well. Metalwork has a long tradition in the Sudan where iron and copper have been smelted, forged, and cast for at least 3,000 years. Use jewelry techniques such as casting, hammering, etching, engraving, etc. to craft your own personal adornments that can make a statement about you.

4. Amazing Animal Adaptations

African artists use the inspiration of animals to describe human nature as well as spiritual aspects of the universe by highlighting unique animal characteristics. Some animals often used in African art are birds, which can travel both on land and in the air; or crocodiles, which can live both in the water and on land. The ability of these and other animals to adapt to different environments makes them special. Other animals may be admired for their strength or cleverness.

Research animals specially adapted to their environments, then create a painting or collage that highlights amazing adaptations you admire. The animal and habitat you create can be realistic or fantastic-combining the traits of several animals. Use your imagination!

For example, consider the impact camels had in making trans-Saharan travel possible because of their adaptations to the environment. Camels have a double layer of eyelashes, hairy ear openings, the ability to close their nose openings, and can drink up to 25 gallons of water at a time and then go several days without food. They are also known for their ill tempers, and tendency to spit, bite, run away, or refuse to move. Because of this they required specially trained handlers to move them across the desert. What qualities of a camel can we use to learn more about our own human behavior?

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