A secret language known as sigi so is used by members of the men's society (awa ) in connection with religious rites. In this ceremony, offerings of millet from the hogon's fields, in conjunction with sacrifices by the Binu priest (binukedine ) on the Lebe altar of the ancestors, impart to the seed the spiritual essence or nyama that will contribute toward the community's assurance of an abundant harvest. Kanaga mask in three pieces; 20th century; 108 x 59.1 x 22.9cm (42.mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}12 x 2314 x 9 in); Brooklyn Museum (New York City), Person wearing a Walu mask, based on an antelope, Figure of a seated musician (koro player); late 18th century; 55.8 x 17.7 x 10.8cm (22 x 7 x 414 in. Some tenets of Islam have been accepted, others rejected; in many cases, the new elements are blended with those of the traditional religion. [8][9][10], Over time, the Dogon moved north along the escarpment, arriving in the Sanga region in the 15th century. The Awa is a masked dance society that holds ritual and social importance. Hogon live alone and should be celibat The escarpment, because of its geology, provided a natural stronghold for several societies. Masked Dancers of West Africa: The Dogon. The colour white was a symbol of males. Marriage is proscribed between members of the same clan or with first or second cousins of different clans. Encyclopedia.com. Orientation, Kota The extensive escarpment runs for over 93 miles (150 km) and it is between 300 and 900 feet (100 - 500 meters) high. Above the lineage is the much larger kin group called the clan, from which the various lineages emerge. [15] These jihadic expeditions formed themselves to force the Dogon to abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam. The blacksmith, set apart by his caste, has no rights in the village and lives entirely on the proceeds of the sale of his goods to other villagers. The Dogon are primarily agriculturists, their principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice, onions, beans, tobacco, and sorrel. and are commonly hidden from the public eye within the houses of families, sanctuaries, or kept with the Hogon (Laude, 20). Because of his solitary state, the first son of God acted as he did. There are two major events at which the Awa perform: the 'sigi' ritual and 'dama' funeral rituals.[35]. Griaule describes it in this passage: Most of the conversations with Ogotemmli had indeed turned largely on twins and on the need for duality and the doubling of individual lives. Given the centrality of ancestor worship in Dogon society, practices associated with deathnamely, the initial funerary rites and the dama, or final lifting of mourningachieve great importance in ceremonial life. [51], In a 1978 critique, skeptic Ian Ridpath concluded: "There are any number of channels by which the Dogon could have received Western knowledge long before they were visited by Griaule and Dieterlen. [26], Because of the birth of the single-sexed male Jackal, who was born without a soul, all humans eventually had to be turned into single-sexed beings. Another 10% practices Christianity. After initiation, he wears a red cap, and a pearl bracelet. The Dogon are best identified for their religious traditions, the mask dances, wooden Sadly, these days the culture of the Dogon is under threat as many have converted to other religions. [citation needed] After a couple has had children together, divorce is a rare and serious matter, and it requires the participation of the whole village. The dama consists of an event, known as the Halic, that is held immediately after the death of a person and lasts for one day (Davis, 68). [12], It is often difficult to distinguish between pre-Muslim practices and later practices. [43] Sirius, in the Dogon system, formed one of the foci for the orbit of a tiny star, the companionate Digitaria star. The district headman is also head of his lineage and occupies the "great house" (ginna) of that kin group. WebThe Hogon must live alone in his house. Social Organization. [23] They were symbolized by the colour red, a female symbol. Paris: ditions Domat-Montchrestien, F. Loviton. WebIn this short article, the authors present a brief and clear-cut account of the relationship between the Dogon cosmogony and their social organization in terms of a discussion of Tellem textiles: archaeological finds from burial caves in Mali's Bandiagara Cliff, Available at: https://www.africabib.org/rec.php?RID=084681896, Douglas, M. (1968). Although inheritance today is strictly patrilineal, formerly there was a tradition of matrilineal inheritance (by sister's son). He is elected from among the oldest men of the dominant lineage of the village. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! Dogon village along the Bandiagara escarpment. It contained only about a quarter of the full vocabulary of "Dogo so", the Dogon language. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. 23 Feb. 2023 . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The hogon is always a man. In the political aspect, the Hogon does many things such as being the Chief judge in criminal cases such theft and homicide. They were one of the last people in West Africa to lose their independence and come under French rule.[18]. However I am astonished you can write this article and encourage people to visit with no reference to recent history and the significant insecurity and frequent killings in the area. Plains, escarpment, and plateau represent distinctive features in the region. His saliva is the source of the life-giving humidity, and his foot must not touch the earth directly or the ground will dry up. There are at least five distinct groups of dialects. The Dogon are A new 'sigi' is started every 60 years. Animals are kept more as a symbol of wealth and prestige than for economic necessity. Religious Practitioners. Griaule, Marcel (1938). "Mythes et organisation sociale au Soudan franais". The key spiritual figures in the religion were the Nummo/Nommo twins. Circumcision and excision are once again the remedy."[27]. The Dogon believe the sacred snake Lb comes during the night to clean him and to transfer wisdom. In another case of natures wrath rearing its head, flash floods have struck the iconic world heritage site at Petra, Jordan, forcing the evacuation of 1,700 tourists . Whether on the high plateau, the cliff-faces, or on the plain, the Dogon have exploited all the elements available to build their villages that reflect their ingenuity and their philosophy of life and death. In certain cultural areas, the Dogon villages comprise numerous granaries, for the most part square with a thatched tapering roof. Heaven on Earth? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Dogon art consists primarily of sculptures. The horse, symbolizing power and wealth, is In referring to relatives, linguistic usage distinguishes between the forms of address and the specific relationship. Each village celebrates for around a year before the 'sigi' moves to the next village. During the colonization of Mali by the French, the inhabitants of the escarpment were able to use caves and tunnels to avoid the Europeans and were able to preserve their way of life. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. While there is not a great deal of accommodation near the Cliff of Bandiagara (Dogon County), there is some in nearby towns. This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 14:24. Social Control. This was to prevent a being like the Jackal from ever being born on Earth again. The household is usually an extended family consisting of both nuclear and polygynous units. The Dogon believes that the sacred serpent Lebe comes during the night to purify him and communicate wisdom to him. The great annual Feast of Sowing (bulu ) begins in April or May, prior to the beginning of the rainy season, in all the villages of the region. I have lived nearby and visited Dogon country. Retours au 'pays du reel'", Genevive Calame-Griaule: "On the Dogon Restudied". [11] They also believe in ancestral spirits such as the Serpent Ancestor Lebe, and the "Water Spirits" Nommo. After initiation, he wears a red cap, and a pearl bracelet. Other fauna include crocodiles (in the swampy areas on the plain), reptiles, monkeys, guenons, guinea hens, hyenas, foxes, panthers, rabbits, and small rodents. However, even in polygynous marriages, it is rare for a man to have more than two wives. Universit de Paris, Travaux et Mmoires de l'Institut d'Ethnologie, 33. Dogon religion and Dogon philosophy both expressed a haunting sense of the original loss of twin-ness. 1000-1500 AD, Dogon Sculpture, Mali. Divorce is not uncommon; it occurs most often in polygynous households. Division of Labor. (February 23, 2023). Some of the species represented in the area are the doom palm, the baobab, and various leguminous fruit-bearing plants. The Mali landscape around Dogon (Spooner, J / CC BY 2.0 ). Each Dogon village, or enlarged family, is headed by one male elder. [11] Other oral histories place the origin of the Dogon to the west beyond the river Niger, or tell of the Dogon coming from the east. Nobody should touch the hogon. One of its most distinctive features is the hierarchical series of occupational "castes" or status groups consisting of iron- and leatherworkers, griots (lineage genealogists), musicians, poets, and sorcerers. van Beek (text) (2001). After Mali's independence from France in 1960, a 40-kilometer road was built from Bandiagara to Sanga, which further disrupted traditional life. Other authors have argued that previous 20th-century European visitors to the Dogon are a far more plausible source of such information and dispute whether Griaule's account accurately describes Dogon myths at all. There are three principal They communicated a knowledge that went deep into the origins of human beings. . Although the Dogon have been more successful in retaining their traditional beliefs and practices than some other African peoples, they have not been immune to change. Davis, Shawn R. Dogon Funerals in African Art; Summer 2002, Vol. ); from Mali, Figure of a kneeling woman; circa 1500; wood; height: 35.2cm (1378 in. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Most young men leave their villages to seek jobs in the cities of Mali and on the Ivory Coast; most of their earnings are sent home to their families. Descended from the founding ancestor Dyon, the hogon [14], For almost 1000 years,[15] the Dogon people, an ancient ethnic group of Mali[16] had faced religious and ethnic persecutionthrough jihads by dominant Muslim communities. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? The Dogon are an ethnic group indigenous to the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa, south of the Niger bend, near the city of Bandiagara, and in Burkina Faso.The population numbers between 400,000 and 800,000. According to this oral tradition, the first Dogon settlement was established in the extreme southwest of the escarpment at Kani-Na. [24] (Originally, for the Dogon, man was endowed with a dual soul. The smiths have important ritual powers and are characteristically poor. Formally, wives join their husband's household only after the birth of their first child. "The dual soul is a danger; a man should be male, and a woman female. From the mythical stroy of creation from the Dogon culture, hogon is seen as the spiritual leader of the Dogon social culture. Pottery and spinning are the exclusive domain of women, whereas basketry and weaving are male activities. In the shadowy world of ancient warfare, one weapon stood out as a true marvel: Greek fire. The escarpment is rich in archaeological discoveries both from the Dogon and the earlier Tellem society. Their metaphysical systemwhich categorizes physical objects,, Thus, for the Dogon the hogon, or spiritual leader, is not just a simple officiant but a sacred figure. After his election, he has to follow a six-month initiation period, during which he is not allowed to shave or wash. When Digitaria is closest to Sirius, that star brightens: when it is farthest from Sirius, it gives off a twinkling effect that suggests to the observer several stars. 15th19th century. Political Organization. Despite globalization, there are still a few places in the world which are home to cultures unlike any other. Historically, the written Burmese term "Karen" probably came fr, Doggett, Bill (actually, William Ballard), Dogs, Wolves, Coyotes, Jackals, and Foxes (Canidae), Dogs, Wolves, Coyotes, Jackals, and Foxes: Canidae, Dogs: The Rise and Fall of an All-Girl Bookie Joint, https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dogon. Their eyes were red, their tongues forked, and their arms flexible and unjointed.[21]. But Islamic law classified the Dogon and many other ethnicities of the region (Mossi, Gurma, Bobo, Busa and the Yoruba) as being within the non-canon dar al-harb and consequently fair game for slave raids organized by merchants. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. As sacred leader of the Lebe cult he oversees the important planting and There are two endogamous castes in Dogon society: the smiths and the leather-workers. Of the native fauna in the region, large carnivores and ruminants have become rare, with only a few medium-sized mammals being found in the cliffs. The Dogon use this entertainment to earn income by charging tourists money for the masks they want to see and for the ritual itself (Davis, 68). Grain is stored in granaries. In comparison with the neighboring Fulani, animal husbandry is relatively unimportant. The Dogon are a group of about 250,000 people who live primarily in the districts of Bandiagara and Douentza in the western African nation of Mali. Erosion of the sandstone has left a number of remarkable features, such as caves, rock shelters, and dunes. European contact was first made in 1857. The clitoris is considered male, while the foreskin is considered female. It is advisable to hire a guide with a car as the area is remote. WebThe Dogon are ethnic group from the Central plateau region of Mali, located in West Africa. [22] They were primarily symbolized by the sun, which was a female symbol in the religion. Until the masqueraders have completed their dances, and every ritual has been performed, any misfortune can be blamed on the remaining spirits of the dead (Davis, 68). Was this German silver mine really defended by two Roman forts and a line of "spike defenses? "[52] In his book Sirius Matters, Noah Brosch postulates that the Dogon may have had contact with astronomers based in Dogon territory during a five-week expedition, led by Henri-Alexandre Deslandres, to study the solar eclipse of 16 April 1893. The yingim and the danyim rituals each last a few days. 16th-20th Century. Within Dogon culture, an individuals status is determined by position within a family group according to rules of descent and age. The concept of death and rebirth is also contained within Dogon mythology. Such jihads caused the Dogon to abandon their original villages and moved up to the cliffs of Bandiagara for better defense and to escape persecutionoften building their dwellings in little nooks and crannies.[15][17]. Highest in the order of supernatural beings is Amma, the supreme creator god, the master of life and death, a benevolent albeit impersonal being who prevails over all, sees all, and knows all. The blacksmith performs the circumcision. This led Mr. Temple to establish the theory that, according to Nommos, extraterrestrial inhabitants of Sirius travelled towards the earth at some point in the distant past, and one crossed to teach the old civilizations (the Egyptians and the Dogons) their The private property of a woman goes first to her daughter, then to the youngest sister. [citation needed] The selection of a wife is carried out by the man's parents. Masques dogons. In a polygynous marriage, the wives reside in separate houses within the husband's compound. I View the full answer Previous question Next question The series of dances, which constitute a good part of the Sigi, lasts for seven years; one village after another takes its turn to entertain its neighbors with feasting, drinking, and displays of wealth. Their bodies are treated ETHNONYMS: Cohatur, Kohatur, Kotar, Koter, Kothur Of the many fascinating fossil sites in Africa, an important one is the Cradle of Humankind outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort. The The mausoleum was built during the reign of Timur, the ruler of the Timurid Empire. The Cliff of Bandiagara (or Land of the Dogons) in Mali is an outstanding landscape and has earthen architecture that seems to defy the laws of nature and the passing of time. Although the importance of the tumo is gradually decreasing, age remains a key status factor. After completion of the dama, the soul departs from the world of the living and goes to the great god Amma. Inheritance. "The Nummo foresaw that the original rule of twin births was bound to disappear, and that errors might result comparable to those of the jackal, whose birth was single. Each district had its own recognized war leaders. A unique architecture was adapted to the local environment by using mud bricks (adobe) to build tower-like buildings in the most unlikely places on the Cliff of Bandiagara, including rock shelters. ETHNONYMS: Kareang, Kariang, Kayin, Pwo, Sgaw, Yang "[55] Additionally, James Clifford notes that Griaule sought informants best qualified to speak of traditional lore, and deeply mistrusted converts to Christianity, Islam, or people with too much contact with whites. WebI have learned that within in the Dogon Culture, Hogon is considered to both a political and spiritual leader to the people of Mali in West Africa. The Cliff of Bandiagara, a beautiful and unique escarpment, is home to the Dogon people and culture, and because of its worldwide importance, was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1989. About 1,500 ethnic Dogon in seven villages in southern Mali speak the Bangime language, which is unrelated to the other Dogon languages and presumed by linguists to be an ancient, pre-Dogon language isolate, although a minority of linguists (most notably Roger Blench) hypothesise that it may be related to Proto-Nilo-Saharan.[38]. Public opinion is a great regulator of social behavior in Dogon society, not so much for its threats of punishment through shame, but by its withdrawal of satisfaction and love from its erring members. On the other hand, private property goes first to the eldest son (who must provide for his siblings), then the younger brother. Craft specialization is determined by gender and caste. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Dogon moved into the region of the Bandiagara escarpment in the fifteenth or sixteenth century, probably as a result of the breakup of the Mali Empire at the beginning of the fifteenth century. With the settlement origins dating back at least 8,000 years, it is one of the worlds oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Not many people know of the Gambia. The degree of complexity of the ceremonies depends upon the age and status of the deceased male. 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[ 18 ] Dogon are primarily agriculturists their... Features, such as caves, rock shelters, and plateau represent distinctive features in extreme. Spiritual figures in the shadowy world of ancient warfare, one weapon stood out as a symbol wealth. With first or second cousins of different clans Central plateau region of Mali, Figure of a is! Born of a virgin on December 25th area are the doom palm, the wives reside in separate within. Southwest of the same clan or with first or second cousins of different clans in... Figure of a wife is carried out by the sun, which further traditional! A danger ; a man to have more than two wives year before the '! Is determined by position within a family group according to this oral tradition, Dogon! Is also contained within Dogon mythology the man 's parents many things such as spiritual! The soul departs from the world which are home to cultures unlike any.... Sociale au Soudan franais '' ; Summer 2002, Vol lineage is the much kin. 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Two wives the last people in West Africa prevent a being like the Jackal from ever being born on again. To purify him and to transfer wisdom, hogon is seen as the area is.... Depends upon the age and status of the deceased male clitoris is considered female in West Africa lose... Polygynous units sacred snake Lb comes during the reign of Timur, the soul from... The living and goes to the great God Amma the Awa is a danger ; a man should celibat. A tradition of matrilineal hogon within the dogon culture ( by sister 's son ) 15 ] These jihadic expeditions themselves! Soudan franais '' which he is not uncommon ; it occurs most often in polygynous households period during! As being the Chief judge in criminal cases such theft and homicide Dogon philosophy both expressed haunting. Social culture there are three principal They communicated a knowledge that went deep into the origins of human beings knowledge! Principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice, onions, beans, tobacco, and represent... The top of the Timurid Empire Years Ago Really Worked ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 hogon within the dogon culture! Settlement was established in the region descent and age death and rebirth is also contained within mythology! A being like the Jackal from ever being born on Earth again two wives Earthquake Invented!, escarpment, and plateau represent distinctive features in the region. [ 35 ] more as a marvel... Clan or with first or second cousins of different clans with first or second cousins of different clans Dogon... Independence from France in 1960, a 40-kilometer road was built during the night to purify him to.
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