Mandinka
/mənˈdɪŋkə
/noun (plural same or Mandinkas)
1A member of a West African people living mainly in Senegal, Gambia, and Sierra Leone.The first son to Omoro and Binta, Kunta Kinte, a Mandinka, is born around 1750 in Juffure along the Gambia River....
- The Wolof and the Mandinka are the major ethnic groups.
- As well as being victims of slave takers, some Mandinkas carried on extensive trade in slaves.
2 [mass noun] The Mande language of the Mandinka, with about 770,000 speakers.The currency used is the dalasi, with an official language being English and seven local languages, namely Mandinka, Wollof, Fula, Jola, Sarahule, Serere, Manjango....
- The first is the Mande language group, which resembles Mandinka in structure, and includes Mende, Susu, Yalunka, Koranko, Kono, and Vai.
- James made some close friends with boys of his own age during his stay and said: ‘Although they speak in Mandinka most of the time they write in English.’
adjective
Relating to the Mandinka or their language.Today, the story of Sundiata is found not only among his native Mandinka people, but throughout the entire Mandingo language group which is spoken in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, and Gambia....
- Salif Keita goes back to Mali and his Mandinka roots.
- Tomorrow night from 8.30 pm, Gambian outfit Bajaly Souso, featuring a kora player and artists from the Mandinka culture, perform.
Origin
The name in Mandinka.