The Mande languages are a branch of the Niger-Congo language family, primarily spoken in West Africa. They include languages such as Bambara, Malinke, and Soninke, which are used by millions of people across countries like Mali, Guinea, and Senegal. These languages share common linguistic features and are known for their rich oral traditions. Mande languages are characterized by their use of tonal distinctions and a subject-verb-object word order. They also have a complex system of noun classes, which affects verb conjugation and agreement. The languages play a significant role in the cultural identity of the Mande people, who have a long history in the region.