| The Mandingo tribe of West Africa has descended | | | | this quality was seen in the members of Mandingo |
| from the Mali Empire. This empire flourished under the | | | | tribe. From the start of the 16th century till the 18th |
| rule of King Sundiata Keita. Today, the Mandingo tribe | | | | century, Mandingo tribe was taken as slaves to many |
| is not only the most widespread tribe in Western | | | | other countries and continents, including New World. |
| Africa, it also the most dominant ethno linguistic | | | | This would explain why today the US has a sizable |
| group. The tribe has many sub tribes like the Mande, | | | | Mandingo tribe population. |
| Dyula, Bozo and Bambara. | | | | In modern times, the tribe is concentrated in West |
| According to historians, the tribe migrated into the | | | | Africa, in countries like Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, |
| heart of West Africa from the western side of Niger | | | | Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, |
| River. They were the original settlers of the city of | | | | Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. The tribe is still very |
| Djenne-Jeno. This migration took place because the | | | | family centric and wants to self-rule themselves and |
| tribe wanted more fertile agricultural land and also | | | | have autonomy. They are still involved in agriculture |
| wanted to expand its territory. The ancient Mandingo | | | | and grow rice, groundnut and millet, crops that are |
| tribe found the army of Kingdom of Fouta Djallon to | | | | traded. |
| stake claim to the land. On settling down, nearly half | | | | However, the tribe members are also into other |
| of the tribe members converted to Islam. They | | | | professions like driving, carpentry, blacksmithing, |
| showed no resistance to giving up their beliefs and | | | | tailoring and butchering. The society is patriarchal in |
| embracing Islam. | | | | nature with an elder being the chieftain of the tribe. |
| The tribe lived in peace and harmony until slavery | | | | Mandingo women are usually homemakers and do not |
| started. The westerners who came to West Africa | | | | contribute to the family income. |
| were looking for people who were subservient and | | | | |