By virtue of its history and location, Mali possesses some of the richest cultural heritage in West Africa. This heritage is intangible-that is, forms such as masked performances, epic poetry, and many traditions of music, dance, and song-as well as material, or tangible. Examples of Mali's material cultural heritage include ancient architecture and statuary, and historic cities like Timbuktu and Djenné with their magnificent mosques and dwellings. There are three UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites in Mali: Timbuktu, Djenne and the Dogon villages nestled in the Bandiagara cliffs.

Malians are actively engaged in protecting and sustaining their heritage. Cultural programs educate communities to the importance of this heritage, in order to increase knowledge of the past, to reinforce communities' cultural identities, and to develop cultural tourism. Efforts are underway to document dance forms, music, and songs; to preserve objects in the National Museum and in regional museums; and to restore important historic sites. Impeding this effort, though, is the unauthorized export of looted archaeological objects. In response to the problem, Mali has adopted laws regulating archaeological digs and the transfer of archaeological objects out of the country. In 1993 Mali and the United States signed a bilateral agreement--the first in Africa--that prohibits any archeological objects from the Inland Niger River region and Dogon country from being imported into the United States without authorization.