Dogon

The Dogon people, with population of less than 800,000, live in the central lowland region of Mali, south of the Niger bend near the city of Bandiagara in the Mopti region.

Dogon man

The most important Dogon community, meaning more than 450,000, lives in the area around the Cliffs of Bandiagara. These sandstone creation in central Mali has the length of more than 200 kilometers. Before Dogons the Tellem people (pygmies or „small red people“) lived in the area.

Some of their buildings, like for example granaries, are still used by Dogons. What happened to Tellem? Nobody really knows. As to some beliefs in Mali they could fly.

Throughout the history Dogon people were victims of slave traders. This and good source of water from the nearby Niger river influenced the location of Dogon settlements.

Sculptures are important in their everyday life. Both their making and purpose have the symbolic meaning. Sculptures are kept in houses, sanctuaries or by the Hogon (spiritual leader). Themes of such sculptures are different – human figures with risen hands, women with children, riders, animals etc.

Most of Dogons are Animist. The central figure of their beliefs is Nommo („to make one drink“). The Nommo is the ancestral spirit.

Nommo

It is usually described as fish-like creature of hermaphroditic characteristics. In objects made by Dogon the Nommos have human-like torso and fish-like tail. Other therms describing the Nommo are „Master of the Water“, „The Teacher“ etc. Nommo was created by the sky god Amma.

Soon after its creation Nommo was divided into four pairs of twins. One of the twins rebelled against Amma. To keep the universal order Amma sacrificed the other twin and scatter its body on different part of the world. Places where parts fell are those in Dogon land where today there are Binu shrines.

The Binu is a supernatural and protective being. It shows itself to people in the form of animal. Binu shrines include one room decorated with reliefs and different geometric designs.

Dogon cliff painting

Dogons have several cults. The most important of them is Sigui. Its ceremony takes place every 65 years. When it is performed it lasts for several years. The last was between 1967 and 1973. The next will be in 2032.

The Sigui is a long procession which symbolizes the death of first ancestor. It starts and ends in the village of Youga Dogorou. On its long journey the procession passes through many villages. There is lot of mystery concerning this cult. It suppose to involve secret language which only man are allowed to learn.

The whole procession is organized by the Secret Society of Sigui. Its members are known as the Oloubarou. Other Dogons are afraid of them. Mask used in the Sigui is called the Great Mask or Mother of Masks. The mask is several meters long. It is not put on face. Instead a person is carrying it in his hands.

Dogon village

On top of each Dogon community is a male elder. This man the oldest son alive of the ancestor belonging to the local branch of the family. Polygamy is allowed. Man can have up to four wives.