Dogon society is organized by a patrilineal kinship system. Kinship Terminology. He wears white clothes and nobody is allowed to touch him. Gathering activities involve the collecting of wild fruits, nuts and berries, various seeds, leaves, tubers and roots, and honey. Beierle, John "Dogon The answer is sewa, which means that everything is fine. ", "Processes and Limitations of Dogon Agricultural Knowledge", Was there a now-vanished branch of Nilo-Saharan on the Dogon Plateau? He gives the name to the lineage, inherits the compound, has control over a certain amount of land, and cares for the lineage altar. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. [5], The hogon may conduct rituals in the Sanctuaire de Binou, a special building the door of which is blocked with rocks. [22] They were primarily symbolized by the sun, which was a female symbol in the religion. [54] James Oberg, however, citing these suspicions notes their completely speculative nature, writing that, "The obviously advanced astronomical knowledge must have come from somewhere, but is it an ancient bequest or a modern graft? WebDogon Female Ancestor Sculpture. [24] (Originally, for the Dogon, man was endowed with a dual soul. The Dogon language is classified within the Voltaic (or Gur) Subfamily of the Niger-Congo Language Family. Boys are circumcised in age groups of three years, counting for example all boys between 9 and 12 years old. On average, a village contains around 44 houses organized around the 'ginna', or head man's house. The spread of Islam throughout Africa has brought about some degree of change in the basic religious orientation of the Dogon. In referring to relatives, linguistic usage distinguishes between the forms of address and the specific relationship. ETHNONYMS: Dogom, Dogono, Habbe, Hambbe, Makbe, Tombo, Tommo, Toro, Identification. Caste boys do not get circumcised.[31]. Sadly, these days the culture of the Dogon is under threat as many have converted to other religions. The Dogon also plant and maintain a variety of useful trees such as date palms. Because of his solitary state, the first son of God acted as he did. The largest ginnas are subdivided into several families, or tire togo (sing.). Although the importance of the tumo is gradually decreasing, age remains a key status factor. Although some Dogon accepted the new regime, many strongly opposed and resisted it for many years. Beierle, John "Dogon AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. [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. Encyclopedia.com. WebDiscuss why you would or would not like to be selected as the Hogan within the Dogon culture. Often the buildings are so close to one another that the floors of some houses begin where the roofs of adjacent ones end. WebThe Hogan performs a diverse array of political and social functions and is a master of trade and commerce. [23] They were symbolized by the colour red, a female symbol. Evidence from substrate vocabulary in Bangime and Dogon, Dogon Languages and Linguistics An (sic) Comprehensive Annotated Bibliography, The Dogon People of Bandiagara, Mali, The Dance of Masks of the Dogon People, The Dogon People of Bandiagara, Mali: the Dogon Fish Festival, African worlds: studies in the cosmological ideas and social values of African peoples, Dogon images from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dogon_people&oldid=1139711208, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox ethnic group with image parameters, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2017, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from December 2017, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Vague or ambiguous time from December 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Bedaux, R. & J.D. van der Waals (eds.) A new 'sigi' is started every 60 years. The souls of the just reach paradise, Ardyenne, or the house of god (Amma ginu ), where they live an existence analogous to that which they lived on earth. The Niger River is nearby and in the sandstone rock, a rivulet runs at the foot of the cliff at the lowest point of the area during the wet season. Ritual dance of Dogon County (Gleeson, G / CC BY 2.0 ). There are three principal The 'Awa' is characterized by the intricate masks worn by members during rituals. Interest in other seemingly falsifiable claims, namely concerning a red dwarf star orbiting around Sirius (not hypothesized until the 1950s), led him to entertain a previous challenge by Temple, asserting that "Temple offered another line of reasoning. 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. 'Sigi' is a society-wide ritual to honor and recognize the first ancestors. The yingim consists of both the sacrifice of cows, or other valuable animals, and mock combat. At this time, new masks are carved and dedicated to the ancestors. The development of tourism in the Dogon Country and the Hombori Mountains (Mali) . Translation of 5,500-Year-Old Babel Text from China Reveals Oldest Known Map of Inner Solar System, The Gristhorpe Man: A Bronze Age Skeleton with a Story to Tell, 3: The Perfect Number - Trinity Symbolism in World Religious Traditions, Evidence that Noahs Ark Landed on a Mountain 17 Miles South of Ararat, The origins of human beings according to ancient Sumerian texts, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, Library in Stone: The Ica Stones of Professor Cabrera Part I, Two Sides to Every Story: The North American Martyrs Shrines and Indigenous/ Roman Catholic Relations, The Origins of the Faeries: Encoded in our Cultures Part I, Curse of the Buried Pearl: The Hunt for Ancient Treasures Part I, The Enigma of the Shugborough Inscription, The Dogons Extraordinary Knowledge of the Cosmos and the Cult of Nommo, Those Who Once Reigned: Experts Name Famous and Forgotten Ancient Gods, The Legend of How Mansa Abu Bakr II of Mali Gave up the Throne to Explore the Atlantic Ocean, https://www.africabib.org/rec.php?RID=084681896, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/africa/article/dogon-cultureprofane-and-arcane/47CD44EC412C57D64B141529BD52F19B, https://journals.openedition.org/articulo/417, Petra Historic World Heritage Site Blasted By Flash Floods, The Classical Gardens of Suzhou: A Sight to Behold, Denizens of South Africas Cradle of Humankind: The First Walking Apes, The Unfinished Timurid Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, The Magnificent Citadel of Erbil - A True Archaeological Sandwich, Kunta Kinteh - The African Island at the Heart of the Slave Trade. An enlarged family can count up to a hundred persons and is called guinna. Kin Groups and Descent. The hogon is assisted in office by a sacrificial totem priest (yebene ), three bodyguards or policemen, a public crier or herald, and an ambassador who deals with other districts. Then the Dogon who has entered the contact repeats the ritual, asking the resident how his or her whole family is. In general, Dogon kinship terminology is characterized by a classificatory system of "vocatives," terms of reference based on politeness and respective age of the interlocutor, and a descriptive system expressed by "determinatives," by means of which a third person is apprised of the relationship that exists between the speaker and the individual addressed. The Dogon are primarily agriculturists, their principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice, onions, beans, tobacco, and sorrel. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France. The problem of "twin births" versus "single births", or androgyny versus single-sexed beings, was said to contribute to a disorder at the beginning of time. In conjunction with the council of elders, he makes decisions concerning public affairs. The Dogon also believe in various malevolent and benevolent spirits who populate the bush, trees, and uninhabited places. [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. On the other hand, private property goes first to the eldest son (who must provide for his siblings), then the younger brother. The village of Songho has a circumcision cave ornamented with red and white rock paintings of animals and plants. Dogon insecurity in the face of these historical pressures caused them to locate their villages in defensible positions along the walls of the escarpment. Africa, 38(1), 16-25, Available at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/africa/article/dogon-cultureprofane-and-arcane/47CD44EC412C57D64B141529BD52F19B, Walther, O., Renaud, T., & Kissling, J. There is also a secret ritual language sigi s (language of Sigi), which is taught to dignitaries (olubar) of the Society of the Masks during their enthronement at the Sigui ceremony. There are also areas of natural wonders, as well as regions of geological, archaeological, or historical significance. Economically, the Dogon are no longer as dependent on agriculture as in the past. For instance, in one of their most important rituals, the women praise the men, the men thank the women, the young express appreciation for the old, and the old recognize the contributions of the young. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Identification. "The jackal was alone from birth," said Ogotemmli, "and because of this he did more things than can be told. Ogotemmli classified the Nummo as hermaphrodites. Elaborate ceremonial stools of this kind were owned by the hogon, the supreme religious and political leader in each Death and Afterlife. Organisation sociale des dogon (Soudan Franais). "[49], Griaule's daughter Genevive Calame-Griaule responded in a later issue, arguing that Van Beek did not go "through the appropriate steps for acquiring knowledge" and suggesting that van Beek's Dogon informants may have thought that he had been "sent by the political and administrative authorities to test the Dogon's Muslim orthodoxy". "[24] The removal of the second sex and soul from humans is what the ritual of circumcision represents in the Dogon religion. [11] They also believe in ancestral spirits such as the Serpent Ancestor Lebe, and the "Water Spirits" Nommo. Today, at least 35% of the Dogon practice Islam. The population numbers between 400,000 and 800,000. This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 14:24. Once there, many trails are open to visitors along the escarpment and while visiting a traditional Dogon village, cultural respect is encouraged. 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. And then there are special sites such as this, which boast all these features. [15] These jihadic expeditions formed themselves to force the Dogon to abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam. In the shadowy world of ancient warfare, one weapon stood out as a true marvel: Greek fire. Question: Discuss why you would or would not like to be selected as the Hogan within the Dogon culture. They have been linked to the Mande subfamily but also to Gur. Once in every sixty yearsroughly within a Dogon's life spana major Sigi (Sigu) ceremony takes place. The Awa is a masked dance society that holds ritual and social importance. After his election, he has to follow a six-month initiation period, during which he is not allowed to shave or wash. Descended from the founding ancestor Dyon, the hogon Other crops include sesame, maize, He wears white clothes and nobody is allowed to touch him. The Dogon are a wonderful and unique culture. Retours au 'pays du reel'", Genevive Calame-Griaule: "On the Dogon Restudied". The economy of the Sangha region has doubled since then, and its onions are sold as far as the market of Bamako and those of the Ivory Coast. WebAlthough the Dogon recognize the creator god Amma as the Supreme Being and address prayers and sacrifices to him, the core set of beliefs and practices focuses on ancestor The Dogon believes that the sacred serpent Lebe comes during the night to purify him and communicate wisdom to him. Other fauna include crocodiles (in the swampy areas on the plain), reptiles, monkeys, guenons, guinea hens, hyenas, foxes, panthers, rabbits, and small rodents. 5 (December 1991), pp. [12] See also [ edit] Pangool Mand creation myth Samay (mythology) Zin (water spirits) Traditional African religion portal Mali portal References [ edit] Within the castes, marriage regulations are more permissive: even first-cousin marriages are permitted. It contained only about a quarter of the full vocabulary of "Dogo so", the Dogon language. [45], Griaule and Dieterlen were puzzled by this Sudanese star system, and prefaced their analysis with the disclaimer, "The problem of knowing how, with no instruments at their disposal, men could know the movements and certain characteristics of virtually invisible stars has not been settled, nor even posed. 15th19th century. He is elected from among the oldest men of the dominant lineage of the village. Morton, Robert (ed.) He is elected from among the oldest men of the dominant lineage of the village. [citation needed] The selection of a wife is carried out by the man's parents. But after this generation, human beings were usually born single. Succession to office is patrilineal (by younger brother). Subsistence and Commercial Activities. Large mock battles are performed in order to help chase the spirit, known as the nyama, from the deceased's body and village, and towards the path to the afterlife (Davis, 68). Wood and metal and more. Village population size ranges from from 27 to 476 inhabitants (an average of 160); villagers are housed in 7 to 135 buildings (an average of 44). She returns to her home at night. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. Marriages are endogamous in that the people are limited to marry only persons within their clan and within their caste.[29]. Industrial Arts. During the yincomoli ceremony, a gourd is smashed over the deceased's wooden bowl, hoe, and bundukamba (burial blanket). 575577, Index of African mythology and creation narratives, List of African deities and mythical figures, Traditional African religion and other religions, "Population dynamics and Paleoclimate over the past 3000 years in the Dogon Country, Mali", "Did the Dogon of Mali know about Sirius B? Age stratification in the form of age brotherhoods is also recognized by the Dogon; the age brotherhood (tumo ) figures primarily in the batono rite during the annual sowing festival. Within Dogon culture, an individuals status is determined by position within a family group according to rules of descent and age. The Carnac stones are an exceptionally dense collection of megalithic sites around the French village of Carnac, in Brittany, consisting of more than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones and erected by the pre-Celtic people of Brittany. The clitoris is considered male, while the foreskin is considered female. The Dogon live in compact, occasionally walled villages built up the sides of the escarpment. Also regional and dialect group names: Chinbok, Chinbon, Dai, Kuku, Lai (s, Karen 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. Dogon funeral rituals come in two parts. (2003), Wanono, Nadine & Renaudeau, Michel (1996), Hochstetler, J. Lee, Durieux, J. Another minority practices Christianity. The historical pattern included the murder of indigenous males by raiders and enslavement of women and children. The most ancient dialects are dyamsay and tombo, the former being most frequently used for traditional prayers and ritual chants. [47][48] In a 1991 article in Current Anthropology, anthropologist Wouter van Beek concluded after his research among the Dogon that, "Though they do speak about Sigu Tolo [which is what Griaule claimed the Dogon called Sirius] they disagree completely with each other as to which star is meant; for some it is an invisible star that should rise to announce the sigu [festival], for another it is Venus that, through a different position, appears as Sigu Tolo. Death is conceived as the separation from the body of the two parts that make up the personalitythe nyama, or vital life force, and the kikinu say, or soul. ); Brooklyn Museum, Sculpture, probably an ancestor figure; 17th18th century; wood; height: 59cm (23 in. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. 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 . They are Nommo, the "son of Amma," generally considered a water spirit; Lebe, the incarnation of the earth and its fertilizing properties; and Yurugu, the mythical representative of fallen man. It was held once every sixty years and allegedly celebrated the white dwarf star, Sirius B. "hogon | African religious leader | Britannica", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hogon&oldid=1122616271, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 18 November 2022, at 14:57. Expert Answer Introduction. After being chosen, a hogon must pass through several months without washing or shaving. About 10 percent of the Dogon are Christians. Dogon damas include the use of many masks, which they wore by securing them in their teeth, and statuettes. Between 2010-2012 I worked in the Limerick City Archives. Dogon CultureProfane and Arcane . Each isolated village or district (canton) in the region has a headman or chief (hogon) who has both religious and judicial responsibilities. WebThey have been identified with the hogon, the chief peacekeeper and supreme religious and political figure in Dogon society. A. Another 10% practices Christianity. Although the Dogon recognize the creator god Amma as the Supreme Being and address prayers and sacrifices to him, the core set of beliefs and practices focuses on ancestor worship. 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. Dieterlen, G., 1955. "Mythes et organisation sociale au Soudan franais". The Pottery and spinning are the exclusive domain of women, whereas basketry and weaving are male activities. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! 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. 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. Some young men will hunt for small game, but wild animals are relatively scarce near villages. Division of Labor. The ritual language, "Sigi so" or "language of the Sigui", which was taught to male dignitaries of the Society of the Masks ("awa"), was considered a poor language. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Each Dogon village may differ in the designs of the masks used in the dama ritual. Religious Practitioners. This enigmatic figure is an ancestor figure from the Dogon people of Mali. A secret language known as sigi so is used by members of the men's society (awa ) in connection with religious rites. The newly circumcised youths, now considered young men, walk around naked for a month after the procedure so that their achievement in age can be admired by the tribe. When a woman leaves her husband, she takes with her only the youngest childthe remaining children stay with the husband's family. Kado), a Fulbe word meaning "stranger" or "pagan.". Unfortunately, the majority of these animistic spiritual practices tend to disappear with the younger generations and the widespread adoption of Islam. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. For the ethnic group of the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north of Ghana, see. The Dogon languages show few remnants of a unique noun class system, an example of which is that human nouns take a distinct plural suffix. Fruit trees are valued possessions, and although they may be sold, the previous owner reserves the ownership of the field in which they are planted for his own use. 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. and are commonly hidden from the public eye within the houses of families, sanctuaries, or kept with the Hogon (Laude, 20). 23 Feb. 2023
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hogon within the dogon culture