BaKari E. Lindsay in 'Djembefola'
COBA Reference: Malinke
The Malinke are a nation of people located in Western Africa. The capital of the great Malinke Empire is Kangaba, whose rule has gone uninterrupted for over 13 centuries. This city is located in what is now the Republic of Mali. It is home to an estimated 11,000 people.

Malinke is a culture that has been around for hundreds of years, one that has grown and spread throughout Africa. There are many names used for their language including Mandekan and Maninka, the most common being Manding. Over 11 million people in over nine different nations around Africa speak Manding. It is a tribal language that has been passed down from generation to generation. There are very few written examples or records of this language because the language is conveyed through an extensive oral tradition.