Culture &
Traditions
Traditions
Food
Music &
Dance
Dance
History
Language
100
In many West African cultures, including Mali and Guinea, a new mother traditionally stays at her mother’s house for this period of rest and recovery after giving birth, often receiving support with baby care, meals, and household chores.
What is 40 days?
100
This spicy West African peanut stew is common in Senegal, Mali, and Guinea, and is often served with rice.
What is tigadegue or maafe tiga?
100
This Guinean singer is known for “Biriya,” a beloved wedding classic played at celebrations across West Africa.
Who is Mory Kante?
100
This wealthy West African empire was ruled by Mansa Musa in the 14th century.
100
In Guinea and Mali, this Mandé language is one of the most commonly spoken in daily life.
What is malinke?
200
In Mandé culture, the baby naming ceremony often takes place on this day after birth, for introducing the child to the community.
What is Day 7?
200
This popular West African drink is made from hibiscus flowers and is served at gatherings, parties, and holidays.
What is bissap
200
This iconic Ivorian dance and music genre became popular in the early 2000s and is known for energetic steps and fast beats.
What is coupe decale?
200
This smaller empire, located in present-day Senegal, was known for its trade networks and resistance to Portuguese expansion.
What is the Jolof Empire?
200
In Wolof, this common greeting means “How are you?”
What is "Nanga def?"
300
In many West African families, this elder woman—often an aunt or grandmother—helps guide the bride in marriage ceremonies.
What is the demba or marrain?
300
This Côte d’Ivoire fermented cassava dish is eaten with grilled fish or spicy sauces and is a national cultural icon.
What is attieke?
300
This 21-string harp is one of the most famous instruments of Mali, The Gambia, and Guinea, played by griots.
What is the kora?
300
This Guinean independence leader became the country’s first president in 1958.
Who is Ahmed Sékou Touré?
300
This is the most widely spoken language in coastal Guinea, especially around Conakry, and is known for being fast and rhythmic.
What is Soussou?
400
In many Mandé cultures, this hereditary class of storytellers, musicians, and oral historians preserves family and community history.
Who are the griots or djeli's?
400
This tea ritual involves brewing strong green tea three times, with each round becoming sweeter.
What is attaya or te
400
This legendary Malian musician, known as the “Golden Voice of Africa,” came from a long line of griots and sang traditional Mandé melodies.
Who is Salif Keita?
400
Although Mali and Guinea both use green, yellow, and red vertical stripes, this country officially adopted its flag first after independence.
Guinea (aka Mali jr.)
400
In Pulaar, this common greeting means “Hello” or “Peace be with you.”
What is “A jaaraama”?
500
This centuries-old craft, practiced by ethnic groups like the Mandé, involves dyeing cloth with fermented mud to create symbolic patterns.
What is Bogolan
500
This Malian dish features small, steamed balls of millet or rice flour, often served with a sauce of okra, peanut, or tomato, and is a staple at celebrations.
What is 
tô?
500
Before his solo career, Sidiki Diabaté became famous for his collaboration with this Malian rapper on the hit song “Ignanafi Debena.”
Who is Iba One?
500
This West African city is famous for its ancient manuscripts and libraries, earning it the nickname “City of 1,000 Scholars.”
What is Timbuktu? 
500
This Malian ethnic group is known for their cliffside dwellings, masked dances, and ceremonies tied to ancestor veneration. They are ethnic to Bandiagara.
Who are the dogon? 