Traditional music is a vibrant expression of Mali's cultural diversity and wealth. Each ethnic group and region is characterized by certain musical rhythms, instruments, and compositions. Music is involved in all aspects of life, marking birth, work, marriage, religious ceremonies, and death.

For the Malian people, music is fundamental and essential to life: it has a precise function and meaning, and it is inextricably linked to a set of doctrines, ideals, beliefs, and practices whose coherence constitutes the identity of each group. Since beliefs about music are often associated with beliefs about the origin of both music and the ethnic group that performs it, the perpetuation of music is a matter of considerable importance.

In order to fulfill its functions as revelation, meaning, and source of pleasure, Malian traditional music teaches about real society and its problems. Songs describe customs and morals, represent people of different social strata, and use either indigenous or imported linguistic and artistic forms.