In the article based on field researches of 2015 and 2016 in Bandiagara Highlands (villages Endé, Bagourou, Kani-Bonzon, Tintan, Semari and others) the author discusses the impact of the traditional political institutions on the political culture of the Republic of Mali. The author notes that in Mali at the level of local self-government exists a kind of “dual power”: in parallel with the republican authorities are active traditional chiefs and village councils, which are able to solve the very complex economic problems that the villages are constantly facing. According to the Malian Constitution, they are entrusted with the functions of local government. Thus, in the Dogon Country (as well as throughout the Republic of Mali), modern administrative boundaries cut the traditional cultural and historical ties, making it difficult to solve problems of vital importance to the Dogon villages. Institute of traditional chiefs compensates for this shortcoming because of their indisputable authority, which they enjoy among the population and among the Republican administration: traditional chefs realize the historically established ties between the villages. Especially brightly positive role of traditional political culture is visible in the example of the “engagement” to the system of djamu and/or joking kinship relations of Tuareg and Arabs who are involved to the conflict in the north of Mali.