How can ethnic identity change in Mali?

In Mali, the concept of ethnic identity is notably fluid rather than fixed. While many individuals maintain their ancestral heritage even when marrying outside their group or adopting different languages, ethnic identity can and does change for others.12

This shift often occurs in the context of internal migration. As people move within the country, they may adopt new cultural affiliations, most commonly by embracing Bambara culture and language. Because Bambara serves as a widespread lingua franca used by approximately four-fifths of the population, its adoption is a significant factor in the evolution of social and cultural identity across the nation.132