Malian culture
Every community has different perspectives of what they value most as results of different ideologies that exist are as a result of their specific cultures. Culture refers to the way of life of people that guide their daily activities. Several aspects of culture include clothing, food, rituals and ceremonies, buildings, arts, among others. Culture is transmitted from one generation to another through various means such as teaching, learning by seeing, and emulation. Malian people, like any other community, have their own cultures which over the years have been transferred from generation to generation as reflected by chiwara rituals as well as the building of the grand mosque in Djenne which takes place up to today
The two videos depict the pride in which the Malian people have for their own culture. Despite the coming of modern music, modern religion, and modern architecture, the traditional ways of doing things are highly embraced among the Malian people. The people interviewed speak with a great sense of self-importance on various aspects of the culture, with some even citing that, no matter the age of an individual, they are happy to participate in cultural activities. Malian people mainly show great appreciation of traditional clothes as one aspect of their culture, with some citing that their traditional attire is one of their favorite clothing. They also show great appreciation of how their cultural activities have managed to bring them together.
Two primary forms of arts are described in these videos; a ritual (chiwara ritual) and architecture; (construction of the great mosque). Chiwara ritual is a ceremony conducted to seek success in farming activities, cure snake bites, and offer protection to both ancestors and the people. The building of the great mosque is also widely discussed in one of the videos. The mosque that is built majorly using mud and cow dung is one of the most famous monuments among the people of Djenne. Every person takes part in the construction of the grand mosque with women not left behind. Though facing the risk of becoming extinct, the chiwara ritual has been there since 1300 AD up to the present and is a clear depiction of the long-held beliefs. On the other hand, the grand mosque, though it has been there for centuries, the idea originated from Western Sudan, and it reflects the Sudano-Sahelian style of construction. Therefore the concept can be termed as to be borrowed from outside but now incorporated in the Malian culture.
During the interview, the Great Chief of Dyere says that he speculates that the Chiwara ritual won’t last for long. To seek clarification, asking the chief why he thinks that the ceremony will end with his generation will be essential. At the beginning of the Chiwara ritual interview, the interviewee enthusiastically says that he likes the Mali traditional costume a lot; inquiring from him why he loves the conventional Mali costume will also enhance my understanding. On the building of a great mosque interview, the interviewee, Mody Sounfaoutra, says that the building has been there for so long, and all they need is to repair it often. To gain greater insight, I will ask the interviewee after how long the mosque is rebuilt.
In conclusion, culture is one of the most critical aspects of society. Every community has what it perceives as crucial, as shown by the upholding of the Chiwara ritual by Dyere people and the building of a great mosque by Djenne people. Culture either indigenous or borrowed; it is passed from one generation to another. Though outside influence can easily lead to culture erosion, people tend to uphold what they value most.