The Bamana and the Bozo troupes celebrate Mali’s independence from colonial rule., once a year with a festival
The mask of the Mali-Kono ( the river-bird of Mali), has become the symbol of the transformation from the colonial to the post colonial era. Every Malian who attends this performance can instantly identify with the character.
The region that is now the state of Mali, was part of the empire of Ghana during the 19th century, then became a French colony, and gained independence in 1960.