Understanding the Dogon Culture - Part I

Written by Ben Kesp

Dogon masks and celebration dress

What makes the Dogon Tribe of Mali in Africa any different for other tribes around the world? Is it due to the fact that they claim to hold ancient knowledge of a star system dating back over 5,000 years and that one of the stars has yet to be discovered? 

My interest in the Dogon came about when I discovered a possible connection with the monument of Newgrange in Ireland and the Sirius Star whom the African tribe possess so much knowledge on. I have decided to do a little further digging into the mysterious tribe to discover more. I am going to dedicate the next three posts on the Dogon with part I focussing on the tribe themselves, their lives and beliefs which will lead to early mythological origins that centres on the Sirius star, the brightest star in the night skies that became central to the earlier Egyptian calendar and with the connection to Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of Egypt, from where it is stated the Dogon tribe originated from. 

What do we know of the Dogon origins? Well in fact very little. It is suggested they originated from Egypt, appearing much like the ancient Sumerians, sharing similar tales of creation about gods that came in ships from the sky. From Egypt they would have travelled westwards into Libya. They fled Islam conversion, moving westward from Libya to their end destination, the Bandiagara cliffs in Mali, West Africa around the 15th century. They have replaced an earlier culture of the region called the Tellem, a pigmy race who dwelled at Bandiagara from the 11th to 16th century. The Tellem culture had an influence on the Dogon with much of their art being incorporated into the Dogon symbols. 

Some of the buildings used today by the Dogan were originally constructed by the Tellem. This race of small people disappeared and it is unknown why. Prior to the Tellem the Toloy culture existed from the 3rd to the 2nd century B.C. making the Dogon inhabit rich in ancient cultures and history. 

Dogon Life

Dogon Village 

The Dogon had been isolated from the outside world for centuries until 1931, or so it has been recorded however this is something I will discuss in a later post. They are a farming community who are best known for their masks and religious beliefs. Living in harmony with nature, agriculture plays a central role to their existence. The Dogon make a living by cultivating pearl millet, sorghum, rice, onions, tobacco, peanuts and other vegetables. Onions have become a major source of revenue for the Dogon and in recent times tourism has played an important role in Mali, especially concerning the tribe. 

Life evolves around the village that comprises of different buildings ranging from a male and female granary, the Tógu ná, house for menstruating women, various different sect buildings and shrines. Mud is the main construct for their houses with many Dogon taking to sleeping on their rooftops during summer nights. Divides are clear between men and women with women having their own independence. This is clear in the male and female granaries, where the female granaries are buildings for women to store their personal items and no access is granted to men. The Tógu ná is a building constructed for only men where they rest during the day and discuss affairs concerning village life while making important decisions. 

Communication is through oral tradition and important knowledge of Dogon life and history is only knowledgeable by the village elder priests. The Hogan is the spiritual leader of the village chosen from one of the oldest of the village members, who goes through a six month initiation period. 

Circumcision is an important part of Dogon life, representing the rites of passage from a child into adult hood. For boys the ages range between 9 to 12 years and for girls between 7 to 8 years. Boys celebrate following the procedure by playing music on special rod or wooden instruments and receive presents. They walk naked for a month around the village following circumcision to be admired by the rest of the tribal members of their initiation into manhood. 

Art

Dogon Cave Paintings

Art plays an important role in the Dogon Culture with their wooden sculptures being among the oldest in the world. The sculptures are representative of religious and spiritual beliefs. Most art work is not presented to the public but is hidden within sanctuaries or kept by the Hogan, the spiritual leader of the village. The art is kept out of view due to their meanings and how they were constructed. In one of the Dogon villages there is a cave decorated in red art work depicting paintings of animals and plants dedicated to circumcisions. 

Religious Beliefs:

Religious life in the Dogon world is complex and comprises of different sects being worshipped: 

• Awa: Cult of the dead to align the spiritual forces following the death of Nommo, the mythological ancestor

• Lebe: celebrate Lébé Serou, the first human ancestor and it takes places once a year lasting for three days. 

• Binu (Binou): Totems are used and different animals are associated with each village. Individual totems might be used by priests. Altars are built that resemble houses with very large altars constructed for an entire village. 

• Mono: An altar is set up at the entrance of each village and unmarried men celebrate every January or February each year. 

• Sigui: This is a major celebration and takes place every sixty years. The next Sigui celebration is due in 2027. Planning for this celebration is very secretive and the men of this society are known as Olubaru. The purpose behind this celebration is to symbolise the death of the first known ancestor and the moment that humanity first made use of the spoken word. There is a proposed connection with this celebration and the movement of the Sirius star. The second star in the Sirius system takes fifty years to orbit the Sirius A star however are the Dogon not ten years out with their celebration? More on this in my next blog post. 

Many tourists today visit the Dogon to witness the celebrations of many of these sects. Each accompanied by music, dance and magnificently coloured masks of all shapes and sizes. 

Shrine

Much of what we read about today on the Dogon tribe centers on their astronomical knowledge and the controversy surrounding it. Are they the closest link to the ancient world living among us today? For us outwardly looking in, their lives might seem simple but yet to really understand their culture one discovers there existence is far more complex than most of our lives through their rituals, ceremonies and their belief systems. One can ask: how do we compare? 

In the next post I will focus on Dogon’s early mythological origins and to help us understand why they still practice ancient traditions. 

Images: From sacred sites, Dogon cultures of Africa & Wikipedia 

Dogon Culture Part II