Other groups include the Malinke, Bozo, Bobo, Songhay, and Fulani people. The Bozo are nomadic fisherpeople, while the Songhay are mostly farmers and traders, living along the edge of the Niger River. The Fulani are nomadic cattle herders.

Mali’s official language is French, but the most widely spoken is Bambara, which is used as a common language by people from different ethnic groups. Songhay, Touareg, and Arabic are spoken when people from one of those groups come together. The Dogon people have at least 48 dialects of their own.

Islam is the main religion in Mali, accounting for around 90 per cent of the population. Christians are the smallest group, making up around 10 per cent. Animist beliefs are also widely practised, often alongside other faiths.