Culture and Customs of Mali

Schulz (anthropology, U. of Cologne, Germany) surveys the culture and customs of Mali for students and general readers. She explains the country's religion and worldview, with discussion of Islam, Christianity, and Tuareg, Bamana, Dogon, and Senufo religions and other traditions. Also explored are literature and media, including the oral tradition and the relevance of Arabic and other scripts; art and architecture, such as sculptures and masks, pottery and textiles, mud architecture, mosques, and urban housing; and cuisine and dress. Gender roles, marriage, and family, and children, youth, and socialization are discussed, as well as social customs, ceremonies, holidays, leisure, and changing values and lifestyles. Other topics covered include music, dance, and performing arts. Information on history, geography, peoples, languages, education, economics, and politics is included. The bibliography is annotated. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Dorothea E. Schulz is professor of anthropology at the University of Cologne, Germany. She has worked for more than 20 years in Mali. Her published works includePerpetuating the Politics of Praise: Jeli Singers, Radios, and Political Mediation in Mali andMuslims and New Media in West Africa: Pathways to God.