Learn about the people and place sof Mali.

Text and photographs introduce the topography, history, society, economy, and governmental structure of Mali.

Seydou Keita was born in Bamako, Mali in 1921, then part of the colony of French Sudan and a bustling transportation hub on the route to Dakar. With a Kodak Brownie given to him by his uncle, Keita took up photography at the age of 14, going on to establish what would become Bamako's most successful portraiture enterprise of the 1950s and 60s. "Photographs, Bamako, Mali 1949-1970" draws on an expanded archive to offer over 400 portraits, mostly unpublished, from the height of the photographer's productivity in downtown Bamako. Providing lushly patterned backdrops and props that now serve to date distinct periods in his career, the artist often styled his subjects but also encouraged their active participation, hanging sample portraits around the studio as inspiration. Migratory youth, government officials, shop owners and Bamako's cultural elite all make appearances here, and while Keita's photographs served as both family record and cultural status symbol for the clients who commissioned them, these images have become a lasting visual record of Mali at that time. Seydou Keita's work made its first international appearance in 1991 and has been exhibited extensively across Europe, Japan and the United States.

Publisher Description

"Pictures ... taken in Africa from 1996 to 2000, by or with young people from Mali ... with a pinhole [camera]"--P. [4] of cover.

One of the largest empires the world has ever known, the Empire of Mali flourished in West Africa from 1235 CE until 1464. The empire remains well known for its wealth and significant cultural influence, still felt hundreds of years later, both in modern Mali and its neighbors. The language, laws, and customs of the Empire of Mali spread throughout West Africa and along the Niger River, creating an enduring legacy that continues to influence and characterize the region. The empire's rich history, enthralling folklore, transporting art and music, enduring cultural and political influence, and modern-day legacy are all presented here in vivid color and dynamic presentation, with a treasure trove of full-cover photographs, maps, illustrations, and artwork. Among other standards, this text supports Common Core's mandate regarding analyzing the relationship between primary and secondary sources, citing evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, and determining the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source.