Man·de 
(mändā′)
(mändā′)n. pl. Mande or Man·des
1. A branch of the Niger-Congo language family, spoken in the upper Niger River valley.
2. A member of a Mande-speaking people. In both senses also called Mandingo.
[Ultimately from Mandiŋ, Mandeŋ, Mandẽ, the traditional name for the Mande homeland in various Mande languages.]