04/05/2026
The Mandé (or Mandingues) form a large ethno-linguistic group in West Africa, extending from Senegal to Liberia. Descendants of the Mali Empire, they include the Bambara, Malinké, Dioula, and Soninké. They are renowned for their rich history, their oral tradition (Djeli), and the Manden Charter. Key points about the Manden: Primarily in Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Main groups: The Mandinka (largest group), Bambara, Soninke, Dioula, Mende, and Maninka. History: Historical center in Manden (southern Mali/eastern Guinea), cradle of the Mali Empire. Culture: Strong oral tradition, use of N'ko as a script. Languages: Mande language family, branch of the Niger-Congo languages. Manden Charter: An important historical text from the 13th century, sometimes considered a democratic reference. The term can sometimes refer specifically to the Mende of Sierra Leone, or more broadly to the entire Manding group.