Culture &
Traditions
Traditions
Food
Music &
Dance
Dance
History
Language
100
In Mande culture, the bride must avoid this activity in the kognoso for fear of offending ancestors or bringing infertility.
What is sweeping?
100
A sauce made from fermented locust beans is common in Mali and Guinea, giving soups a pungent aroma and rich flavor.
What is soumbara? 
100
This country is widely regarded as the birthplace of the djembe.
What is MALI
100
This West African last name signals descent from the founders of the Mali Empire and is found across Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and The Gambia.
100
In Mande culture, this title ties refers to a wise man or respected counselor.
Who is Seydou?
200
In many west-african countries, whistling at night is traditionally forbidden because it is believed to attract these.
What are djinns? 
200
This West African dish, popular in Senegal and The Gambia, is named after a Wolof word meaning “marinated” and is traditionally made with **chicken or fish soaked in mustard, vinegar, lemon juice and onions
200
This masked dance of the Guro people from Ivory Coast became internationally popular in the 1990s.
What is the ZAOULI
200
This Guinean independence leader became the country’s first president in 1958.
Who is Ahmed Sékou Touré?
200
The name Fatoumata honors this historical figure.
Who is Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad PBUH?
300
This centuries-old craft, practiced by ethnic groups like the Mandé, involves dyeing cloth with fermented mud to create symbolic patterns.
What is Bogolan
300
A plant whose leaves are brewed into tea and is traditionally used across Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. Its botanical name is Combretum micranthum
What is Kinkeliba
300
This Nigerian artist featured on Drake’s album Certified Lover Boy, Beyoncé-curated Lion King soundtrack and Future's 2022 album "I NEVER LIKED YOU"
WHO IS TEMS
300
This artisan caste in Mandé society traditionally works with metal and is believed to possess spiritual power.
What is a numu (blacksmiths)? 
i.e. Kante
300
This Malian ethnic group that is ethnic to Bandiagara.
Who are the dogon? 
400
Many west-africans families consult these spiritual leaders for blessings, protection, or guidance before big life events.
Who are maraboutsor mory-ke
400
This tea ritual involves brewing strong green tea three times, with each round becoming sweeter.
What is attaya or te
400
How many strings does a kora have?
What is 21 strings!
400
This city shares its name with an island on the Atlantic coast.
400
In Pulaar, this common greeting means “Hello” or “Peace be with you.”
What is “A jaaraama”?
500
Among the Mandé, marrying across this social divide could result in social ostracism or dishonor.
Who are the griots!
500
In Guinea and Senegal, Bissap is sometimes given to new mothers because it is believed to stimulate this natural process.
What is milk production
500
This smaller, high‑pitched version of the West African xylophone is known for its bright sound and often played in ensembles or street parties.
What is balafon or balani
500
This Mandé surname is historically associated with military leaders and nobility rather than artisan castes. This surname belonged to rulers of the Segou region before French colonization.
DIARRA
500
The Malian day Araba corresponds to this English day.
What is Sunday? 