HISTORY of RELIGION of MALI

The traditional religions of the western Sudan were polytheistic and often referred to as animistic

The many ethnic groups in west Africa, traditionally believed in the “spirits of land,” who were thought to ensure the

success of their crops. Since it was the ancestors who had developed the original arrangement with the spirits, spiritual contact with ancestors was considered essential. The village head or chief– the mansa in the Malinke language– had the most direct link with the spirits of the land and was thus the guardian of the ancestors. He was thus both the religious and

the secular leader. Throughout the centuries of the Mali empire, peasant farmers in natural areas continued with

traditional beliefs, since they were so closely dependent on the good will of the “ spirits of land” for their well-being.

Today, rural dwellers continue to honor their ancestors and revere the spirits of the land.

Islam came to Mali as a result of trans-Sahara trade.In the thirteenth century, Islam began to penetrate western sudan. After

Sundjata, the founder of the Mali empire, most of the rulers of Mali were Muslim. Islam was introduced by traders who brought not only material

goods but a new religion. As one historian expressed it:“ For the merchant princes of Gao, Timbuktu, and other cities, Islam offered membership in a highly privileged, international trading club.

Their journeys to Mecca put them in touch with merchants from Egypt, Arabia, and Asia, and vastly increased the import/ export market.”The

most famous haji (pilgrim to Mecca) was by Mansa Musa, king of Mali, and grandson of sundjata s sister. In 1324, he rode more than 3,000 miles

across the desert to Mecca, accompanied by some 60,000 escorts, including his senior wife. In both Mecca and Medina and on his way

back, he dispensed vast amounts of gold. Indeed, Musa put so much gold into the circulation that its value on the Cairo market fell sharply and took

12 years or more to recover its previous value.Great Islamic Universities were established by the Muslims, including the world –famous ones in Timbuktu, close to the Niger River, and Djenne on

the Bani river , atributary of Niger.

Islam is the predominant religion in Mali95% Muslim 4% catholic and protestant and 1 % Others

The constitution provides for freedom of religion and does not permit any form of religious discrimination or tolerance by the government or individual persons. There is no state religion as the constitution defines the country as a secular state and allows for religious practices that do not pose a

threat to social stability and peace.Thank you-------