Children in Mali

Once a large impressive kingdom, Malians are very proud of their culture and history. Extended families are very important to the Malian society. One's honor and dignity directly correlates with that of the family.

Polygamy is still practiced, as is female circumcision (even though it is forbidden by the government). Social customs (such as maintaining social harmony through joking) that go back for centuries are still practiced.

The people are extremely friendly and warm. People greet each other in Bambara, asking how their family is, children, parents, and inquiring about the health or well-being of all. Hospitality is also stressed, with families providing meals for guests that they themselves could not afford to eat. If someone's car does not start or you are having difficulty carrying something, you will find plenty of eager helpers.

Malian Widow

Smiling Young Woman

Neighborhood Children

Children in Ségoukoro

Woman by Niger River

Once a large impressive kingdom, Malians are very proud of their culture and history. Extended families are very important to the Malian society. One's honor and dignity directly correlates with that of the family.

Polygamy is still practiced, as is female circumcision (even though it is forbidden by the government). Social customs (such as maintaining social harmony through joking) that go back for centuries are still practiced.

The people are extremely friendly and warm. People greet each other in Bambara, asking how their family is, children, parents, and inquiring about the health or well-being of all. Hospitality is also stressed, with families providing meals for guests that they themselves could not afford to eat. If someone's car does not start or you are having difficulty carrying something, you will find plenty of eager helpers.

Children in Mali

Children here begin working at a very early age, whether it is caring for their younger siblings, household chores, or even quite physical labor. It is quite common to see young girls carrying their youngest sibling, strapped to their back with a wide strip of cloth. Even the youngest children begin practicing the amazing (to me) feat of balancing everything on their heads. First they may steady the load with their hand, but soon carry it with ease. Young girls also begin helping with household chores, such as doing the wash by hand, pounding the millet to make flour, etc. Like their mothers, the girls seem to work longer hours than the male counterparts. Boys also do physical labor that would not be even thought of in the US. But, especially in cases where a parent has died, the children are expected to carry the load.

Children are typically quite inquisitive. Being light skinned and a redhead, I must stick out like a beacon of light. Many simply want to come up to you and gently shake your hand, and say Bonjour. If I am taking photos, they want their photo taken. Luckily I have my digital camcorder, which enables me to take pictures that they can immediately see. For some, it is perhaps the first time they have seen a picture of themselves. Often times then, they coax their older siblings or mother to look at the photos, and perhaps even have a photo taken of them as well. Like the adults though, the children seem very gentle. I have not observed arguing or fighting - or even disagreements.

Appearance-wise, the children vary. Some don't wear any clothes (mostly the youngest ones). Many are wearing western hand-me-downs. Some of the clothes are clean and quite good yet, while other times the clothing is very dirty or torn. Sometimes the clothing is Malian style and is handmade. Adults tend to be the ones wearing the handmade clothing though. Bellybuttons are quite interesting here. Most are the "outy" variety, with many sticking WAY out - perhaps 2 inches or so. While you don't see any fat children here, I really haven't seen any children who are gaunt-thin. I have heard that many families only eat one meal a day though.You can find boys with tomato cans begging along the roads for money. Often times it is a requirement for their studies in the Koran.

There is not much to be found in the line of pre-made toys. You will find boys playing with homemade toys, such as a plastic spool-like thing with wire, allowing the spool to roll as a wheel. Tires are a popular toy, with a stick guiding the tire as it rolls. I've also seen some creative toy cars or similar items made entirely from junk. I haven't seen girls playing much though. Soccer is a favorite pastime of the boys. I often hear the children (boys) playing soccer in the lot next door. Despite a few obstacles such as large rocks and cinder blocks, the boys have found a good place to play the national sport. A much better location than playing on a street, where an inaccurate kick might send the ball down the open sewers on either side of the streets!

I have heard that female circumcision is still practiced in Mali. Hopefully that will change - soon I pray.

Overall, the children seem happy. Even despite the need to work hard at a young age, children, like their adult counterparts, continue to be optimistic and very pleasant to be around.

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©Melissa Enderle 2007

Children here begin working at a very early age, whether it is caring for their younger siblings, household chores, or even quite physical labor. It is quite common to see young girls carrying their youngest sibling, strapped to their back with a wide strip of cloth. Even the youngest children begin practicing the amazing (to me) feat of balancing everything on their heads. First they may steady the load with their hand, but soon carry it with ease. Young girls also begin helping with household chores, such as doing the wash by hand, pounding the millet to make flour, etc. Like their mothers, the girls seem to work longer hours than the male counterparts. Boys also do physical labor that would not be even thought of in the US. But, especially in cases where a parent has died, the children are expected to carry the load.

Children are typically quite inquisitive. Being light skinned and a redhead, I must stick out like a beacon of light. Many simply want to come up to you and gently shake your hand, and say Bonjour. If I am taking photos, they want their photo taken. Luckily I have my digital camcorder, which enables me to take pictures that they can immediately see. For some, it is perhaps the first time they have seen a picture of themselves. Often times then, they coax their older siblings or mother to look at the photos, and perhaps even have a photo taken of them as well. Like the adults though, the children seem very gentle. I have not observed arguing or fighting - or even disagreements.

Appearance-wise, the children vary. Some don't wear any clothes (mostly the youngest ones). Many are wearing western hand-me-downs. Some of the clothes are clean and quite good yet, while other times the clothing is very dirty or torn. Sometimes the clothing is Malian style and is handmade. Adults tend to be the ones wearing the handmade clothing though. Bellybuttons are quite interesting here. Most are the "outy" variety, with many sticking WAY out - perhaps 2 inches or so. While you don't see any fat children here, I really haven't seen any children who are gaunt-thin. I have heard that many families only eat one meal a day though.You can find boys with tomato cans begging along the roads for money. Often times it is a requirement for their studies in the Koran.

There is not much to be found in the line of pre-made toys. You will find boys playing with homemade toys, such as a plastic spool-like thing with wire, allowing the spool to roll as a wheel. Tires are a popular toy, with a stick guiding the tire as it rolls. I've also seen some creative toy cars or similar items made entirely from junk. I haven't seen girls playing much though. Soccer is a favorite pastime of the boys. I often hear the children (boys) playing soccer in the lot next door. Despite a few obstacles such as large rocks and cinder blocks, the boys have found a good place to play the national sport. A much better location than playing on a street, where an inaccurate kick might send the ball down the open sewers on either side of the streets!

I have heard that female circumcision is still practiced in Mali. Hopefully that will change - soon I pray.

Overall, the children seem happy. Even despite the need to work hard at a young age, children, like their adult counterparts, continue to be optimistic and very pleasant to be around.

Click here to see more photos of people