like Segou in the 17th century that would later play a large role in the Mali that exists today (Rymer).
             Having established a stronghold the Bamana continued to spread their influence and played a part in the series of wars that pitted Islamized tribes against those practicing the traditional animist ways that many Bamana still practice today. Today the Bamana occupy a smaller territory in a system of rural villages that are fed mainly through subsistence farms growing some of the crops more common to Mali as well as some minor hunting. They also sustain themselves plying wares and crafts (Gray).
             The Bamana have a strong artistic tradition that consists primarily of pottery, sculpture, leather, textiles and patterns such as Bokolanfini, as well as forged items made by their blacksmiths. Many of these objects have practical and cultural significance just like the masks they also create. The beautiful, often complex masks are a crucial part of their spiritual and social traditions and are highly sought after by art collectors. The artisans who make these goods are taught to do so in a traditional manner that is passed on from generation to generation. Often it can take as long as eight years for them to master their trade (African Art).
             The arts and crafts that are created, particularly the masks, are used by the six different initiation societies that exist with their tribe. Within the Bamana religion, initiates progress through the societies being both educated about the world as well as learning important social and moral lessons. The education an initiate receives allows them to participate within the social structure of the tribe. Moreover, within the last dyow, or initiation ritual, the initiate can usurp some of the power lost to the supreme Bamana god, Si, during the initiate's last reincarnation. As believers of reincarnation, the Bamana believe that when they are created they to steal a small portion of thei...