LawyerLiv & Co.

7 of 54: Timbuktu, Mali

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LawyerLiv
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Unlike Wakanda, Timbuktu is an actual city in Africa, located in Mali. I don’t know much about Mali other than the basics: West-African nation, former French colony, borders Senegal (which everyone knows, I am obsessed with.)

I also know Sidiki Diabate, whose music I love, is a Malian who comes from a long line of griots. Griots are carriers of tradition who retell history through songs, poems and traditional musical instruments. One does not become a griot; one is born a griot.

Lastly, I know about the Tuareg which are some of the most people beautiful people my eyes have set on. These are nomadic, desertic people that among other places, inhabit Mali. Recently learned, Tuareg women are some of the freest in the world. In that matrilineal society, women are in charge and men have to work and cover their faces. Men leave inheritance not to their sons but to the sons of their sisters. Pre-marital sex is not a taboo, and not only is divorce not shameful, but it is also a common occurrence. This is particularly interesting since Tuaregs practice Islam.

Lately, there has been instability in the region as Mali has experienced a number of coups in recent years. Wishing Peace in Mali. Wishing Peace on Earth.

XOXO

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5 responses to “7 of 54: Timbuktu, Mali”

  1. ospreyshire Avatar
    ospreyshire

    It’s good that someone else knows Timbuktu is a real city and knows it’s in Mali. Funny enough, I just reviewed a documentary involving someone born in Bamako and I’ve seen a movie of the same name as Timbuktu by Malian-Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako. Mali is also the home of Mansa Musa and his great-uncle Sundjata Keita from the 13th century who had the nickname of “The Lion King” over 700 years before Simba existed even if Disney never acknowledged that (saying nothing about the racism and cultural appropriation associated with that movie franchise). I even learned some things from your post. Thank you!

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    1. Olivia Mugenga Avatar
      Olivia Mugenga

      Wow! Interesting. Thank you so much for your input. I knew Mansa Musa as the richest man to ever live but didn’t know the Lion King reference. Thank you for sharing and for tuning into my blog.

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      1. ospreyshire Avatar
        ospreyshire

        No problem. I like geography and have been fascinated with African cultures a lot over the past few years. Yes, Mali literally had a “Lion King” even if Disney won’t own up to it. Don’t even get me started on how that Disney movie butchered aspects of the Swahili language, trademarked the phrase “Hakuna Matata”, stole characters from a 60s Japanese anime called Kimba the White Lion, or how “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is plagiarized from a South African song called “Mbube” as shown in the Netflix documentary The Lion’s Share. Which African countries have you visited?

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      2. Olivia Mugenga Avatar
        Olivia Mugenga

        Super fascinating/ Scary. Yes, Africa is unbiasedly my favorite continent! Wish to one day tour all of Africa. I’m from Rwanda and so far, I’ve seen Ghana, Uganda, Burundi, South Africa. Thanks for your interest and support in my blog.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. ospreyshire Avatar
        ospreyshire

        Yeah, I can’t look at that movie franchise the same way again and it started years ago when I realized how the hyenas play up anti-Black tropes, then it snowballed from there. Sure thing about liking Africa as a continent. You’re Rwandan? Nice! I’ve met people directly from that country before. I definitely want to visit multiple countries there. Funny you mention Burundi because I want to see their Royal Drummers perform. I’ve been taking Swahili classes online which has been great and even found some Kinyarwanda words that are similar which is interesting. What did you like about the places you’ve visited?

        Murakoze cyane, Olivia!

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