Mali's long weaving tradition has given rise to a wide variety of textiles that are particular to communities or regions, are used by people throughout the country, and, in recent years, have become popular around the world. Malian textiles began to be traded in the 11th century, although, as archaeological evidence reveals, they existed far earlier.

Weaving, traditionally a man's craft in Mali, is based on the processing of cotton and wool; the use of one or the other in a region depends on the climate and local people's knowledge. Wool weaving is a specialty of Fulani (Peul) weavers, the Maabube, who are a specialist "caste." (Among other ...