The facts presented in this article are not little known, especially when they are taken from medieval Arabic-language written sources. Much has been published earlier, including by the author himself. However, the author of the article has never previously considered these facts in the context of the synthesis of Islam with pre-Islamic culture that exists in Mali today. In the article, the author examines information about Islam and pre-Islamic culture in medieval Arabic-language sources, stories of mysterious disappearances and the genealogy of leaders. Muslim characters are woven into the stories of mysterious disappearances, which clearly appeared on local soil, and on exactly the same rights as pagans like Sumandjuru Kanté. The mention of the Songhai Askia Muhammad in the context of the Abirɛ Goro story places both the prophecy of the return of the Dogon to the Land of the Mande, and the Dogon culture itself, like the entire culture of Mali, in the context of Muslim civilization. The history of the pagan Dogon village of Semari goes back to the city of Kangaba, which connects it with the Manden within the framework of the general Dogon myth of origin. In this case, the name "Manden Kaaba" is used, which ties this city to Islam, i.e. the village, which Muslims are not allowed to enter, legitimizes its historical tradition and its animist leaders with the help of Islam. According to the author, during the 1290 years that have passed since the appearance of Muslims on the territory of the modern Republic of Mali, there has developed a synthesis of traditional pre-Islamic culture with Islam. The modern traditional culture of Mali is Muslim to the same extent as pre-Islamic, and it is impossible to separate one from the other without significant simplifications.