Mandinko

Mandinko, often spelled Mandinka or Mandingo, refers to the Mandinka people, a major West African ethnic group speaking the Mandinka language. They form one of the largest Mande-speaking populations, with traditional homelands in The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau, and smaller communities across Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The Mandinko are part of cultural and linguistic networks that have played a central role in West African history, including the era of the Mali Empire.

The Mandinka language, or Mandinko, is a Mande language in the Niger-Congo family. It is spoken by millions and has regional dialects. In modern usage, Mandinka is commonly written in the Latin script, though Ajami scripts are also used in some communities.

Culture and social organization are marked by the jeli, or griot, tradition, in which praise singers and oral historians maintain family histories and community memory. The kora, a 21-string harp-lute, is closely associated with Mandinka music. Traditionally, life centers on agriculture and market activities, with crops such as millet, sorghum, and groundnuts; rice is also cultivated in river valleys.

Religion among the Mandinko is predominantly Islam, with influence from Sufi orders such as the Muridiyya and Tijaniyya. Rural areas often blend Islamic practices with traditional beliefs and ceremonies.

History and modern context: The Mandinka are linked to the Mali Empire and its founder Sundiata Keita, contributing to West Africa’s trade networks and political development. Today, Mandinka communities are integral to the national cultures of The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau.

Notable figures include Mansa Musa, a famed Mali Empire ruler of Mandinka heritage, along with contemporary musicians, politicians, and scholars across West Africa.