Dogon of Mali
One of Mali’s most visited areas, the area known as Dogon Country is a rather geographically isolated area inhabited by about 350,000 Dogon people.This airid area is located near the eastern edge of Mali near the Burkina Faso border. Until the end of the colonial era, the Dogon were one of the few African peoples who had most successfully retained their culture and traditional ways of life. Even now, despite the presence of Islam and Christianity, Dogon peoples have largely held onto their animist beliefs.
Once the residence of the Tellem people, the Dogon moved into the Bandiagara escarpment around the 14th or 15th century. At first sharing the escarpment with the Dogon for a few centuries, the Tellem were pushed out and migrated to Burkina Faso. The tiny buildings of these short people can still be seen, perched safely in higher parts of the cliffs. To reach the tiny, isolated villages of the Dogon, much of the travel must be done on foot or in some cases, a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Hardworking and proud of their culture, the Dogon are well-known for their products. Farmers produce sweet onions and other crops through irrigation on tiny patches of land amidst the volcanic-like rocks and cliffs. Some of the blacksmithing techniques perfected by the Dogon are still unable to be duplicated. Carved wooden sculptures, masks, and doors are highly sought after by collectors. Elaborate masked ceremonies are performed by specially trained men.
Once the residence of the Tellem people, the Dogon moved into the Bandiagara escarpment around the 14th or 15th century. At first sharing the escarpment with the Dogon for a few centuries, the Tellem were pushed out and migrated to Burkina Faso. The tiny buildings of these short people can still be seen, perched safely in higher parts of the cliffs. To reach the tiny, isolated villages of the Dogon, much of the travel must be done on foot or in some cases, a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Hardworking and proud of their culture, the Dogon are well-known for their products. Farmers produce sweet onions and other crops through irrigation on tiny patches of land amidst the volcanic-like rocks and cliffs. Some of the blacksmithing techniques perfected by the Dogon are still unable to be duplicated. Carved wooden sculptures, masks, and doors are highly sought after by collectors. Elaborate masked ceremonies are performed by specially trained men.