MaryKate Keenan

The National Museum of the Dogon Tribe

{Dogon tribe: Southern Mali, Africa

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MaryKate Keenan

Gillian Mencken

Religion

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MaryKate Keenan

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MaryKate Keenan and Gillian Mencken

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MaryKate Keenan

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The Dogon tribe always had knowledge of the stars, even before we did! Due to their high intelligence of this matter, they believed that they were taught by extraterrestrials form the star system, Sirius B, long ago. However, many doubt that the information given by the tribe is true. Some researchers can connect their stories back to ancient Egyptian myths, which would make their stories and information unlikely. Still, professors differentiate on the subject as to whether or not the Dogon’s intelligence could improve our society. Nevertheless, Dogon tribe members continue to praise the people of Sirius B and pass down their knowledge to future generations.

Stars Gillian Mencken

http://www.crystalinks.com/sirius.html

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Masks play an important part in Dogon religion. They are used in the dance of the “Dama,” which they believe creates a bridge to the supernatural world for the spirits to cross over and find peace. Masks are only worn by the men of the village who know how to execute this dance. There are over 78 different types of masks and each one has a secret spiritual meaning. Some masks are shaped to look like animals, humans, or irregular figures. The Dogons are known for their use of the colors red, black, and white, and spiral or checkerboard patterns.

Masks http://www.abersig.org/index.php?p=dogon

Gillian Mencken Return to Room

In Dogon religion, there are three main principle cults. The Awa/Amma, Lebe, and Binu/Binou. Each one represents a different clan within the tribe. Awa/Amma

The Awa represents the dead. Each member helps the spirits disturbed by the death of the Dogons mythological ancestor, Nommo.

The Awa clan must perform a dance to lead disturbed souls into their resting place (this is the primary purpose of the Awa).

The Awas dance at funerals and death anniversaries to send messages into the realm of religion. Women are not permitted in this clan.

Lebe Lebe is the earth god in Dogon religion. Their clan’s main focus is the tribe’s agriculture The Lebe’s chief priest in called the “Hogon” Each village contains a Lebe shrine with bits and pieces of earth in it to continue the fertility of the land. The god, Lebe is believed to visit the tribes Hogon every night in the form of a snake.

Binu/Binou The Binu clan has connections with the Dogon’s sacred places in the villiage. According to the Dogons, spirits who were once involved in the Binu clan allow their descendants to see them only in the

forms of animals. Blood and the Dogon’s primary crop are sacrificed at Binu shrines during planting season/ whenever a spirit pleads to a

loved one. Members all have the same name

Principals Gillian Mencken

http://www.crystalinks.com/dogon.html Return to Room

Dogons are considered Muslims, Christians, and Animists. Because of this, they do celebrate the appointed traditions and holidays, yet they prefer to direct their rituals toward harmony. For example, the men praise the women, the men thank them, the children praise the elderly, and they appreciate the doings of the young. All get appreciated and accepted by one another. Each Dogon village contains 3 status. One is a fox, another is a fish, and the last one is of the ancestor, Dyongou Serou, who was sacrificed to pay for his terrible deeds. The Dogons refer to these status as “bullroarers” and are believed to speak. All 3 of the status are used at funerals. Even with many Dogon practices seen as ordinary, the French consider their religion to be primarily uncivilized and barbaric.

Culture Gillian Mencken Return to

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http://www.sagatours.com/dogon-masks-photos.html

An arranged marriage is usually the type of marriage that occurs in the Dogon tribe. Even though arranged marriage is the most popular type of marriage, there are different types that can happen. For example, if a person is remarrying for a second or third time, they are able to choose their spouse. If a marriage is being arranged, then the two people who are marrying must be from a different clan. Divorce is common in the Dogon tribe, but less likely to happen in a marriage with one wife. In this picture, people are celebrate a wedding with dancing.

Arranged Marriage MaryKate Keenan

http://150-days-ghana.blogspot.com/

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Monogamy means only one spouse for the man and woman. This is the most common form of marriage in the Dogon tribe. This type of marriage is usually arranged by the parents of the man and woman. Before the birth of the first child, the wife lives at home with her parents until the baby is born, while the husband lives at a bachelor quarters where he lived from the ages 8 to 10. After the birth of the baby, the couple can finally move in with each other at the husband’s village quarters. This stool is very symbolic to the Dogon tribe and is presented to the bride on her wedding day. The woman is seen by her hair and breasts, which symbolize the marriage and children. The man is depicted by his beard. The people around the table are spectators at the wedding and elders who will help them grow in their marriage.

Monogamy in Marriage

MaryKate Keenan

http://www.grainsofafrica.com/catalog/dogon-marriage-stooltable-p-137.html?osCsid=bf14072b2541b1a3bf90ca714f49424f

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In the Dogon tribe, first and second cousin marriages are allowed. First and second cousin marriages must be from a different clan or it cannot be allowed. In a cousin marriage, divorce is common but not as common as in a polygamist marriage because in a cousin marriage there is only one wife. A cousin marriage is very similar to an arranged marriage and a monogamist marriage. This is an overlook of a village where many weddings and festivities take place, including cousin weddings.

Cousin Marriage MaryKate Keenan

http://www.globosapiens.net/mali-travel/Bandiagara.html

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Polgamy is a type of marriage when the husband has more than one wife. In the Dogon tribe, there is a limit of two wives that a man can marry. Divorce is not uncommon, especially in a polygamist marriage. In divorce, the wife leaves her husband and is only allowed to bring the youngest child with her. The rest of the children live with the husband’s family. This picture symbolizes that polygamist marriages are allowed in the Dogon tribe.

Polygamist Marriage MaryKate Keenan

http://justforcribs.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-take-thee-as-my-lawfully-wedded.html

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The most well-known buildings in the Dogon villages are the alter. The alters have many purposes and can be used in many ways. For example, an alter may have, what the Dogons call a ‘cloud hook’, which is meant to catch a cloud and bring rain. Also, when celebrating Lébé Serou, the first mortal human being, all men must visit Binou alter and dance around the Lebe alter 3 times. Besides, all the alters in the villages, they also have temples for each of the 3 religions. This is so all citizens can have a separate place of worship for their own culture. A ‘toguna’ is a place of worship for only men. While inside, they will discuss affairs, gossip, or sit in silence. The ceiling of the toguna is very low to the ground. this is to prevent anyone from standing up. In many cases, certain men will rise due to excitement or disagreement. As they begin to stand, they will hit their head and return to their original calming state.

Family Gathering

Gillian MenckenReturn to

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http://www.artktecture.ca/gallery.htm

The only time any member of the Dogon tribe receives a gift is during a circumcision. This is very important to the Dogons, for it allows the boys of the village to assume proper physical identity and is only performed on boys from ages 9 to 12. After the process is complete, the boy has right to be proud and receive credit. This is shown by the people through the gifts they bring. Other than this ceremony, the Dogons do not exchange presents.

GiftsGillian Mencken Return to Room

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fNL66x-pL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

The Dogan ceremonies center on agriculture and death. The great annual Feast of Sowing begins in April or May. In this ceremony millet is offered for the assurance of an abundant harvest. The funeral ceremonies are made of two parts. The initial rites take place after a death and continue for a week. The elaborate dama rites are a time of ceremony and a time to remember the person. For men the ceremonies are very complex, depending on the age of the man. On the other hand, for women the ceremony is very simple or even non-existent.All ceremonies involve offerings, sacrifices, mock battles and the display of carved masks.

Ceremonies/Services MaryKate Keenan

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-dogon-dance-funeral-masquerade-image7253345

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In the Dogon tribe the main source of food is millet . Millet is a type of grain with little round seeds that the Dogon people mash up with large poles. This ground flour mixed with water makes a white gravy that is a staple in the Dogon diet. The Dogon people also have food gardens. In the gardens there are fruit trees, like mango and orange, and areas for grains and vegetables. The women process the fruit, flowers and leaves of plants into seasonings.

Food MaryKate Keenan

http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/the-dogon-shallot-an-underground-favorite/ Return to

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Dogan women wear cloth that is made from woven cotton fabric. The traditional colors used by the Dogan people are white, black, brown and indigo blue. Today, other bright colors are used in their clothing. The women traditionally wear a wrapped textile with a simple shirt. Women typically carry things on their heads while traveling from one place to another.

WomenMaryKate Keenan

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http://dulichmoisinh.blogspot.com/2011/09/chau-phi.html

Pictured is a man in the tribe of Dogon. Dogon textiles are made of cotton. The cotton is spun by the women and woven by the men into long narrow strips. These strips are sewn together to form clothes. The Dogan people add tassels to the fabric as is shown on this man’s hat.

MenMaryKate Keenan

http://www.africaimagelibrary.com/?search=Dogon+country

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This is a shirt or tunic that men wear when they hunt. This tunic is worn to protect them from the forest and wild animals. It also protects them from the dangerous spirits. To be a successful hunter, the man needs to be an expert of the forest and understand wild animals. He also must the have spiritual power necessary to navigate the dangerous supernatural realm. The environment plays an important part in the Dogan’s style of clothing.

Hunting http://annekata.com/2012/02/hunters-shirt/

MaryKate Keenan

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The children of Dogon do not wear much clothing. Poverty and the warm climate influence this choice. For boys between 9 and 12 years old, circumcision is a main life event. The boy receives gifts and must walk naked for a month for the other people in his tribe to admire him. Girls are circumcised around the age of 8. Circumcision is needed for the person to know his or her gender.

Children MaryKate Keenan Return to

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http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoX4Gsr1QI2sA4eKJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Ddogon%2Bchildren%26n%3D30%26ei%3Dutf-8%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D76&w=640&h=427&imgurl=farm9.staticflickr.com%2F8023%2F7649328796_93862c7940_z.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fronnyreportage%2F7649328796&size=169.8+KB&name=the+old+man+and+child+in+Sanga%2C+%3Cb%3EDogon+%3C%2Fb%3ECountry%2C+sahel%2C+mali+%7C+Flickr+...&p=dogon+children&oid=dedd3618f3689a18334700e0129879bd&fr2=&fr=&tt=the%2Bold%2Bman%2Band%2Bchild%2Bin%2BSanga%252C%2B%253Cb%253EDogon%2B%253C%252Fb%253ECountry%252C%2Bsahel%252C%2Bmali%2B%257C%2BFlickr%2B...&b=61&ni=128&no=76&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11me1e2tv&sigb=12thqfifl&sigi=11n65lij0&.crumb=vDlYtOGr3wR

Since the Dogons have always resisted outside influences, they have very little knowledge of how to play any games that are common to the United States. Yet, soccer is very popular among the tribes. Though they may not know all the rules, the children still have fun kicking the ball to one another. If a particular tribe lives fairly close to the coast or near a pond, families will take their children down for a swim. Fishing is also a favorite to the Dogons. Though it may be considered a chore in Africa, it can also be an enjoyable activity.

Games

Gillian Mencken Return to Room

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoV3ssL1QfAoA8oiJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMTQ4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Ddogon%2Bsoccer%26n%3D30%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dyfp-t-521%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D24&w=320&h=260&imgurl=4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_Hb2GmAjE-yM%2FSU19mMqAe5I%2FAAAAAAAAAJ0%2FSd-Y3Zwllr8%2Fs320%2Fchild13a.JPG&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftouringwestafricasummer2006.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fchildren-of-mali.html&size=29.9+KB&name=Touring+West+Africa%3A+Summer%2C+2006%3A+Children+of+Mali&p=dogon+soccer&oid=f81a63d476cad065e08f162eba71312c&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-521&tt=Touring%2BWest%2BAfrica%253A%2BSummer%252C%2B2006%253A%2BChildren%2Bof%2BMali&b=0&ni=128&no=24&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=12dh95nuh&sigb=13h0ah529&sigi=12kd9uki1&.crumb=vDlYtOGr3wR

The Dogon people are gifted craftsmen. For centuries, they have created unique abstract sculptures and masks. In fact, their art is some of the oldest museums have ever collected! The Dogon tribes only make these art pieces for religious reasons and put their designs in places of worship or alter. Some of the main themes of their designs include musicians, women, dogs, and figures with raised arms. The Dogon’s are most recognized by their use of geometric shape and patterns in their art work. They also pay close attention to detail.

Art Gillian Mencken Return to

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http://www.african-art.net/list-of-articles-by-ethnicity?ethnicity=4

One of the most important dances to the Dogons is the Dama. It is performed only every 12 years or after a good harvest. It has become very rare even for most tribes. The Dama is held to remember the tribe’s ancestors, as well as opening a doorway to manhood for boys. Boys are not considered actual men until they have danced the Dama. During the Dama, the men will hide out in caves and make masks. According to the Dogons, the souls of the dead are suppose to occupy these masks and ward off any evil presence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqiryEy1w9Q

Dances Gillian Mencken

http://tribes.tribe.net/anthropologyofreligion/photos/11215a9e-9116-48de-bc79-1e98beb7244c Return to Room

Music is an important part of life, especially for the Dogons. Though they may not have all the latest instruments and upbeat rhythms, it is satisfying to them either way. The people will usually bang on pots and plastic buckets or bins, as well as clap and stomp to the beat. These methods might seem outdated, but the Dogon tribes are adored musicians and love to sing. Music in their eyes is a way to pass the dead peacefully into the afterlife and is an essential part of any sacred dance.

MusicGillian Mencken

http://www.wildernesstravel.com/trip/mali/west-africa-essakane-music-festival-desert/contact-us

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"African Tribes - Dogon Tribe/People." African Tribes - Dogon Tribe/People. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/dogon.htm>.

"Countries and Their Cultures." Marriage and Family. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-Middle-East/Dogon-Marriage-and-Family.html>.

"Countries and Their Cultures." Religion and Expressive Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-Middle-East/Dogon-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html>.

"Dogon." Latest Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://traditionscustoms.com/people/dogon>.

"Dogon." Latest Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://traditionscustoms.com/people/dogon>.

"Mali: Dogon Country." Dogon Country. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.moxon.net/mali/dogon_country.html>.

"Planet of the Dogon." The Sydney Morning Herald. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.smh.com.au/travel/activity/great-outdoors/planet-of-the-dogon-20090416-a8kw.html>.

Roy, Christopher D. "Dogon Tribe of Africa: Gateway African Safaris." Dogon Tribe of Africa: Gateway African Safaris. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/dogon_tribe.html>.

BibliographyMaryKate Keenan Home

During this project we have learned many different aspects of the Dogon tribe. It’s amazing to think of the possibilities that extraterrestrials may have taught the Dogon people about the star system.

In the Dogon tribe masks play an important role for many different reasons. They are used in dances and at weddings and funerals. One reason masks are used is to build a bridge where the spirits can cross into peace. Over 78 masks have different meaning and secretiveness behind them. The masks are very colorful and are shaped like animals, humans and other shapes. It was unique to see all the different color and shape masks that the Dogon tribe made. Halloween would be a treat using a Dogon mask!

In Dogon, the people do not have the same type of instruments that we have here in the United States. The Dogon People still listen to music. They use what they have around the house like pots and plastic bins, while keeping the beat by clapping there hands. It was fascinating to see what people can come up with around the world with just what's in their own house.

We enjoyed experiencing the Dogon way of living. It would be a different way of living if we were just dropped into their culture but we would find similarities in our lives to share with them.

During this project we did not only learn about the Dogon tribe in Africa, we learned how to do a virtual museum and different ways to use power point. This knowledge that we learned for this project will help us out in the near future.

Reflection Home MaryKate Keenan