|
![Please visit our sponsor](/cgi-bin/banads/zone_80.pl?page=003")
African People & Culture
Introduction | African Tribes
Groups | Art & Craft |
Music & Dance | African Weddings | Festivals
& Events | People &
Culture Books | People and Culture
Posters | People & Culture Photographs |
African Language
Books
TRIBES & PEOPLE GROUPS
DOGON
The Dogon are a cliff-dwelling people who
live in Southeastern Mali and Burkina Faso. Among the people groups in Africa
they are unique in that they have kept and continued to develop their own
culture even in the midst of Islamic invasions which have conquered and adapted
many of the current people groups
Until the 1930's the Dogon were very insolated from the
outside world and resisted any foreign influence. Through oral tradition it is
said that they originated from the west bank of the Niger River, around 1490
A.D. they were fleeing from the Mossi people and entered the Bandiagara cliffs
region. There they have lived ever since. Because of their refuge in the cliffs
they were able to resist the Muslims, the French, and others who have attempted
to conquer them.
The Dogon are divided into family groups which are
responsible for different spheres of Dogon life. The Awa society is responsible
for much of the spiritual functions of Dogon culture concerning death and
mourning periods, they are communicate with the ancestor spirits. The Lebe are
the group responsible for the agricultural spirits. They build many different
alters out of clay and dirt.
In their artwork they are well-known for
their masks which are used in various ceremonies and rituals. The masks are
known as "inima," they are thought to contain the life force which is known as
"nyama." There are over 65 different kinds of masks used for ceremonies. Their
woodwork is amazing and is known for the different, "primitive" look which has
disappeared from much African pieces. The Dogon use mainly red, black, and
white colors as well as many varieties of browns developed from the reddish
sand like dirt which surrounds the country. Dogon artwork is all intricately
hand carved and much of it has much cultural significance.
Information and images kindly provided by
Africa Imports
|
Recommended
Book |
 |
Dogon :
Africa's People of the Cliffs
This stunning photographic book
demonstrates how geography, with a 125-mile range of cliffs, has protected and
dictated the culture of the intensely spiritual Dogon. The focus is on the
people of the cliff face in their villages built beside steep-walled gorges
that are accessible only on foot. Photojournalist Hollyman and anthropologist
van Beek detail the Dogon's skill as agriculturists in growing sorghum, millet,
corn, and onions, and as skilled artisans famous for the masks they
make
Buy From
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK
|
Other websites
CSAC's Ethnographics Gallery - Society-DOGON
Crystalinks
Information and images about the Dogon
People
|
