Culture & Etiquette

1. Bamanankan

   The Bambara language

   Usage

   The most widely spoken language in Mali

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses bámanankan as the Bambara language. Use it only as the name of the language, not "Bamanan" for people.

2. Manden

   Manden (the Mandé or Mandingo world)

   Usage

   The Mandé world to which Bambara belongs

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses mànden as Mandingue (Mandé).

3. Jeli

   Jeli (griot, hereditary bard)

   Usage

   A hereditary bard who carries history and genealogy in song and speech

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses jèli as griot, a man of that caste; An ka taa says Manding bard. The dictionaries do not say how the word is used for women.

4. Nsiirin

   Nsiirin (folktale)

   Usage

   A tale told as storytelling

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses nsíirin as tale, fable, short story, with the phrase nsíirin dá (tell a fable).

5. Maana

   Maana (story, account)

   Usage

   A story or account of an event or origin

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses máana as story or account, with the example "let us tell the story of the founding of Bamako"; it also means meaning.

6. Dɔnkili

   Dɔnkili (song)

   Usage

   A song; "dɔnkili da" means to sing

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses dɔ̀nkili as song and gives dɔ̀nkili dá (to sing).

7. Dunun

   Dunun (drum)

   Usage

   A drum used for music and dance

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary glosses dùnun as drum and drumming; An ka taa says drum.

8. Bala

   Bala (balafon, xylophone)

   Usage

   A traditional wooden-keyed instrument played with mallets

   Grammar Note

   An ka taa glosses bala as xylophone, balafon (variant balan); in Bamadaba the same spelling names a plant.

9. Dɔn

   Dɔn (dance)

   Usage

   A dance; also the verb to dance

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary gives dɔ̀n as the noun dance and the verb to dance, with the phrase dɔ̀n kɛ́ (to dance). The same spelling covers other words such as know and mistletoe.

10. Bɔgɔlan

    Bɔgɔlan (mud-dyed cloth, bogolan)

    Usage

    A traditional cloth dyed with plant and mineral dyes

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses bɔ̀gɔlan as bogolan, a wrap dyed with mineral and vegetable dyes. It is built on bɔgɔ (mud, clay).

11. Ciwara

    Ciwara (antelope mask linked to farming)

    Usage

    The Bambara antelope mask associated with farming

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses cíwara as the Ciwara, a farming fetish in the form of an antelope mask.

12. Donso

    Donso (hunter)

    Usage

    A hunter, a respected role in Mandé culture

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses dònso as hunter, and An ka taa agrees.

13. Numu

    Numu (blacksmith)

    Usage

    A blacksmith; also the name of a hereditary craft group

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses nùmu as blacksmith (a caste); An ka taa says blacksmith.

14. Ladamu

    Ladamu (good manners, upbringing)

    Usage

    Good manners and proper upbringing

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses ládamu as savoir-vivre and good upbringing (politeness, marks of respect, mutual help); as a verb it means to maintain or bring up well.

15. Jatigi

    Jatigi (host who lodges a visitor)

    Usage

    The person who lodges and looks after a visitor

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses jàtigi as the person who lodges a guest; jàtigiya means to give hospitality.

16. Dunan

    Dunan (stranger, guest)

    Usage

    A person from elsewhere, a guest

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses dúnan as stranger or guest, and dúnanya as the condition of being a stranger.

17. Badenya

    Badenya (kinship of those born of one mother)

    Usage

    Family love and solidarity among children of one mother

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses bádenya as fraternity among children of one mother and family love; it pairs with fàdenya.

18. Fadenya

    Fadenya (rivalry among half-siblings)

    Usage

    Rivalry among children of the same father

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses fàdenya as rivalry between half-brothers, and as a verb to rival.

19. Hɔrɔnya

    Hɔrɔnya (freedom, independence, nobility)

    Usage

    A word for freedom, independence and nobility

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses hɔ́rɔnya as freedom, independence, nobility and honesty; as a verb it means to free.

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