Mali

Mali is a West African nation with a legendary history and extraordinary musical heritage! Timbuktu is the most famous city, sitting on the Niger River and known as "The City of 333 Saints." During the Mali Empire (13th-15th centuries), Timbuktu was a major center of Islamic learning and trade, with thousands of manuscripts preserved in libraries.

The Niger River flows through Mali and is West Africa's lifeline, bringing water to the dry Sahel region and providing transportation. The Sahara Desert covers much of northern Mali with spectacular dune landscapes and nomadic Tuareg peoples, famous for their indigo-dyed clothing and desert expertise.

Mali has given the world some of its greatest musicians - griots (storytellers and musicians) keep history and culture alive through music, and Mali's blues and traditional rhythms have influenced world music. Music is central to life in Mali, with celebrations, ceremonies, and daily life filled with drumming, singing, and dancing.

Bamako, the capital, is a vibrant river city with markets, music venues, and lively culture. Mali's rich history, Saharan landscapes, legendary music tradition, and cultural depth make it a country of profound historical and artistic significance.