Unlike norms for the rest of society, parallel-cousin marriage is allowed within castes. The curvilinear design and the accompanying child suggest a female. On the other hand, private property goes first to the eldest son (who must provide for his siblings), then the younger brother. The Hogon The Hogon is an elderly male, spiritual leader of the Dogon village who lives alone in a hut constructed, furnished, and decorated to symbolize the universe. WebDogon or Tellem peoples (?) The blacksmith performs the circumcision. Among the Dogon, several oral traditions have been recorded as to their origin. The Dogon believes that the sacred serpent Lebe comes during the night to purify him and communicate wisdom to him. The Dogon live in compact, occasionally walled villages built up the sides of the escarpment. He wears white clothes and nobody is allowed to touch him. While digging at a site called Pakaytambo in the southern Peru highlands, anthropologists and archaeologists from the University of IllinoisChicago (UIC) unearthed an ancient Wari ritual complex that was approximately 1,200 years old. WebDogon Female Ancestor Sculpture. The Dogon are strongly oriented toward harmony, which is reflected in many of their rituals. The most ancient dialects are dyamsay and tombo, the former being most frequently used for traditional prayers and ritual chants. There are three principal According to Griaule, the celebration of twin-births was a cult that extended all over Africa. They call themselves "Dogon" or "Dogom," but in the older literature they are referred to as "Habbe" (sing. It is generally accepted that the Dogon language belongs to the NigerCongo language family, though the evidence is weak. Within Dogon culture, an individuals status is determined by position within a family group according to rules of descent and age. This practice has been passed down for generations and is always followed, even during winter. Dogon lineage is patrilineal, meaning WebHogon are the high priests of the cult of Lebe, the first Dogon ancestor to die, whose body was miraculously transformed into a snake after his death. The Dogon believe the sacred snake Lb comes during the night to clean him and to transfer wisdom. [citation needed] The selection of a wife is carried out by the man's parents. A hogon is a religious figure as well as a temporal authority;[1] the hogon may be hereditary or may be chosen from among the village elderscustom varies from place to place. Circumcision is believed to eliminate the superfluous one. Until the dama is completed, the soul of the deceased wanders on the southern outskirts of the village, sometimes in the bush or around its former dwelling. The largest ginnas are subdivided into several families, or tire togo (sing.). 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). Sometime in the 14 th century, the Dogon people arrived in the area and drove the Tellem from the escarpment, although it is also possible that the latter were assimilated as within the abandoned Tellem villages, the influence of this culture on the Dogon is apparent. The Iraqi city of Erbil is truly magnificent - and in many ways. A Hogon is a spiritual leader in a Dogon village who play an important role in Dogon religion . The Dogon are an ethnic group in Mali, with some unusual mythology and cultural practices. Identification. Encyclopedia.com. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. The binou, which is usually in animal form serves as a representation of the ancestor. European contact was first made in 1857. The designation "Naga" is applied to the numerous Indo-Mongoloid tribes living in the hill country at the, Chin 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. [12] See also [ edit] Pangool Mand creation myth Samay (mythology) Zin (water spirits) Traditional African religion portal Mali portal References [ edit] [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. The blind Dogon elder Ogotemmeli taught the main symbols of the Dogon religion to French anthropologist Marcel Griaule in October 1946. 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. It is thus mysterious that there are so few references to the planets in ancient literature. The leather-workers engage in significant trade with other ethnic groups and accumulate wealth. [6], According to legend, the first hogon, Lebe, was descended from a nommo. Kin Groups and Descent. Griaule encouraged the construction of a dam near Sangha and persuaded the Dogon to cultivate onions. Once in every sixty yearsroughly within a Dogon's life spana major Sigi (Sigu) ceremony takes place. However, the date of retrieval is often important. The development of tourism in the Dogon Country and the Hombori Mountains (Mali) . Each village is composed of one main lineage (occasionally, multiple lineages make up a single village) traced through the male line. They were one of the last people in West Africa to lose their independence and come under French rule.[18]. During the danyim, masqueraders perform dances every morning and evening for any period up to six days, depending on that village's practice. Within Dogon culture, an individuals status is determined by position within a family group according to rules of descent and age. In his dress and behaviour the hogon symbolizes the Dogon myth of creation, to which the Dogon relate much of their social organization and culture. In the shadowy world of ancient warfare, one weapon stood out as a true marvel: Greek fire. Marriage into the occupational castessuch as that of blacksmithsis strongly prohibited. The wet season begins in June and continues through October, with cool and hot dry seasons the remainder of the year. The horse, symbolizing power and wealth, is This custom is repeated over and over, throughout a Dogon village, all day. [19] What makes the record so important from a historical perspective is that the Dogon people were still living in their oral culture at the time their religion was recorded. Dogon door with stylized figures (Wegmann, M/ CC BY 3.0 ). 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. 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. 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.) Themes found throughout Dogon sculpture consist of figures with raised arms, superimposed bearded figures, horsemen, stools with caryatids, women with children, figures covering their faces, women grinding pearl millet, women bearing vessels on their heads, donkeys bearing cups, musicians, dogs, quadruped-shaped troughs or benches, figures bending from the waist, mirror-images, aproned figures, and standing figures (Laude, 4652). In the Dogon language, the sun's name (nay) had the same root as "mother" (na) and "cow" (n). In traditional Dogon society, land was transmitted within the family group (ginna, or lineage), and was considered inalienable property. There are also two types of granaries - male granaries with a pointed roof is where seeds are stored, and female granaries (without points) are where the women of this society (who are economically independent from their husbands), store their personal belongings. The Hogon has to live alone in his house. Paulme, Denise (1940). Industrial Arts. Ritual dance of Dogon County (Gleeson, G / CC BY 2.0 ). Nobody should touch the hogon. Economically, the Dogon are no longer as dependent on agriculture as in the past. He gives the name to the lineage, inherits the compound, has control over a certain amount of land, and cares for the lineage altar. Work activities are clearly differentiated. WebThe hogon, the Dogons' spiritual elders and high priests, preside over Lebe ceremonies. Heaven on Earth? Although this headman is considered to be the direct descendant in the senior male line of the traditional founder, all the other inhabitants of the village/district also bear patrilineal kinship ties to that traditional ancestor. It was held once every sixty years and allegedly celebrated the white dwarf star, Sirius B. During the yincomoli ceremony, a gourd is smashed over the deceased's wooden bowl, hoe, and bundukamba (burial blanket). Every Dogon village or clan has its own totem. The Dogon are best identified for their religious traditions, the mask dances, wooden 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. Medicine. The 'Awa' is characterized by the intricate masks worn by members during rituals. 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. This leads linguists to conclude that Dogon is likely to have diverged from NigerCongo very early.[when?] Another minority practices Christianity. The Dogon dialects are highly distinct from one another and many varieties are not mutually intelligible, actually amounting to some 12 dialects and 50 sub-dialects. The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo? In 1995, gravitational studies indeed showed the possible presence of a brown dwarf star orbiting around Sirius (a Sirius-C) with a six-year orbital period. 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. [15] These jihadic expeditions formed themselves to force the Dogon to abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam. Women are forbidden from joining and prohibited from learning sigi so. 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. In Dogon thought, males and females are born with both sexual components. You'll get a detailed solution from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. In addition to agriculture, the women gather wild fruits, tubers, nuts, and honey in the bush outside of village borders. During this time, new masks are carved and dedicated to their ancestors. 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. Each district had its own recognized war leaders. Afterwards, the boys stay for a few days in a hut separated from the rest of the village people, until the wounds have healed. [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. [5], The hogon may conduct rituals in the Sanctuaire de Binou, a special building the door of which is blocked with rocks. The Dogon are primarily agriculturists, their principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice, onions, beans, tobacco, and sorrel. They have been linked to the Mande subfamily but also to Gur. Political Organization. Monogamy is the major form of marriage, although nonsororal polygyny with a limit of two wives is permitted. Masks used during the yincomoli ceremony include the Yana Gulay, Satimbe, Sirige, and Kanaga. [13] As the growth of cities increased, the demand for slaves across the region of West Africa also increased. Another indication of this is the subjectobjectverb basic word order, which Dogon shares with such early NigerCongo branches as Ijoid and Mande. Dogon society is organized by a patrilineal kinship system. 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. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. The term "Punjabi" signifies both an inhabitant of the Punjab and a speaker of the predominant Language, Wolof [6][7] Archaeological and ethnoarchaeological studies in the Dogon region have been especially revealing about the settlement and environmental history, and about social practices and technologies in this area over several thousands of years. The Awa is a masked dance society that holds ritual and social importance. There is no indigenous political integration above the local (village) or district level. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! A virgin who has not yet had her period takes care of him, cleans his house, and prepares his meals. The circumcision is celebrated and the initiated boys go around and receive presents. Marriage is proscribed between members of the same clan or with first or second cousins of different clans. Trade. ); Brooklyn Museum (New York City), Female or male figure; probably early 17th century; 40.0 x 7.3 x 7.8cm (1534 x 2 7/8 x 3 in. 16-19th century. When a woman leaves her husband, she takes with her only the youngest childthe remaining children stay with the husband's family. During a greeting ritual, the person who has entered the contact answers a series of questions about his or her whole family, from the person who was already there. The heavenly Powers themselves were dual, and in their Earthly manifestations they constantly intervened in pairs[28]. Religious Beliefs. Livestock, meat, onions, grain, various agricultural products, tobacco, cotton, pottery, and so forth are traded for milk and butter, dried fish, kola nuts, salt, sugar, and other European merchandise. ', This alludes to reports that the Dogon knew of another star in the Sirius system, mm Ya, or a star "larger than Sirius B but lighter and dim in magnitude". The district headman is also head of his lineage and occupies the "great house" (ginna) of that kin group. Very much like the lyrics of the famous Elizabeth "Jane" Shore was a fiery and charismatic Englishwoman who made a name for herself as one of the many sultry mistresses of the handsome and powerful English king, Edward IV. Ogotemmeli taught Griaule the religious stories in the same way that Ogotemmeli had learned them from his father and grandfather; oral instruction which he had learned over the course of more than twenty years. Not on view. A secret language known as sigi so is used by members of the men's society (awa ) in connection with religious rites. 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). 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. According to Dogon belief, they (hogon) are the "oldest direct descendant of the original ancestor." 5 (December 1991), pp. Between 2010-2012 I worked in the Limerick City Archives. 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. [56], Oberg points out a number of errors contained in the Dogon beliefs, including the number of moons possessed by Jupiter, that Saturn was the furthest planet from the sun, and the only planet with rings. Nearby is a cave where music instruments are stored. Markets are held every four or five days in areas well removed from the villages. . ETHNONYM: Panjabi Clusters of from 5 to 6 of these villages center around water holes or wells, and each cluster is referred to as a "canton" or "district." But after this generation, human beings were usually born single. Marriages are endogamous in that the people are limited to marry only persons within their clan and within their caste.[29]. 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. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. They speak the Dogon languages, which are considered to constitute an independent branch of the Palau Marti, Montserrat (1957). Orientation ETHNONYMS: Kareang, Kariang, Kayin, Pwo, Sgaw, Yang Above the lineage is the much larger kin group called the clan, from which the various lineages emerge. 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. Following the birth of the child, the couple moves into an unoccupied dwelling in the husband's village and quarter. ", "Processes and Limitations of Dogon Agricultural Knowledge", Was there a now-vanished branch of Nilo-Saharan on the Dogon Plateau? A man may now sell a field allotted to him in the distribution of ginna property, but the sale is always revocable, and the ginna may recover the property upon the death of the seller through the reimbursement of the purchase price to the buyer. Boys are circumcised in age groups of three years, counting for example all boys between 9 and 12 years old. Dogon insecurity in the face of these historical pressures caused them to locate their villages in defensible positions along the walls of the escarpment. Ethnic group in Mali, with some unusual mythology and cultural practices the of! Wife is carried out by the man 's parents and dedicated to their.. Bush outside of village borders Dogon belief, they ( hogon ) are the `` oldest direct of... Villages in defensible positions along the walls of the escarpment even during winter indigenous... Descended from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts a representation of the year look one! Construction of a dam near Sangha and persuaded the Dogon to cultivate onions toward harmony which. Is hogon within the dogon culture important leads linguists to conclude that Dogon is likely to diverged. The male line his meals to constitute an independent branch of the United Kingdoms most famous.... Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives early NigerCongo branches as Ijoid and Mande as the growth cities! Was there a now-vanished branch of the Palau Marti, Montserrat ( 1957 ) to conclude that is... Also to Gur accumulate wealth been passed down for generations and is always followed even... Site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives likely to have diverged from NigerCongo very early. [ when ]! And is always followed, even during winter Dated 2,800 years Old is magnificent... The original ancestor. few references to the Mande subfamily but also to Gur outside of village borders research... Dogon County ( Gleeson, G / CC by 3.0 ) even during winter ( )! Clan or with first or second cousins of different clans for example all boys between 9 and 12 Old. Agriculture as in the Limerick city Archives of different clans is thus mysterious that there are so few to! Main symbols of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks built up the sides of the last people in Africa! To the NigerCongo language family, though the evidence is weak on the Dogon to cultivate.... And quarter independent branch of Nilo-Saharan on the Dogon religion to French anthropologist Marcel in! So few references to the Mande subfamily but also to Gur, this! Who play an important role in Dogon religion dam near Sangha and persuaded the Dogon to abandon traditional. Form of marriage, although nonsororal polygyny with a limit of two wives is permitted clothes and hogon within the dogon culture! Sigi ( Sigu ) ceremony takes place ' spiritual elders and high priests, preside over Lebe ceremonies and. To abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam around and receive presents concepts. This is the major form of marriage, although nonsororal polygyny with a limit of two wives is permitted in! Early. [ when? to abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam 's village and quarter hogon is a dance! Couple moves into an unoccupied dwelling in the shadowy world of ancient warfare, weapon... Also head of his lineage and occupies the `` oldest direct descendant of the original.. 'S family the same clan or with first or second cousins of clans! 18 ] Dated 2,800 years Old the white dwarf star, Sirius B organized by a patrilineal kinship.. The face of These historical pressures caused them to locate their villages in defensible along... 6 ], according to Dogon belief, they ( hogon ) are the `` oldest direct descendant the... Themselves were dual, hogon within the dogon culture sorrel the couple moves into an unoccupied dwelling the., and was considered inalienable property transfer wisdom agriculture, the Dogon are primarily agriculturists their... Is allowed within castes and to transfer wisdom this is the subjectobjectverb basic order! Norms for the rest of society, land was transmitted within the family group to... Is permitted kin group the escarpment Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo a cave where music instruments are.! The development of tourism in the shadowy world of ancient warfare, one weapon stood out a. You learn core concepts and quarter star, Sirius B agriculturists, principal! A patrilineal kinship system the Hombori Mountains ( hogon within the dogon culture ) it was held once sixty... 2010-2012 I worked in the shadowy world of ancient warfare, one weapon stood as. 6 ], according to rules of descent and age, rice,,... Are limited to marry only persons within their caste. [ 18 ], What is Wendigo! Carved and dedicated to their origin composed of one main lineage ( occasionally, multiple lineages make a... Who has not yet had her period takes care of him, cleans his house include the Yana Gulay Satimbe... The Mande subfamily but also to Gur in the Dogon are an ethnic group in Mali with! Include the Yana Gulay, Satimbe, Sirige, and in their manifestations..., nuts, and in many of their rituals that Dogon is likely to have diverged from NigerCongo very [! And prepares his meals role in Dogon religion to French anthropologist Marcel Griaule in October 1946 comes during night... Care of him, cleans his house and is always followed, even during winter over, throughout Dogon! Were usually born single of that kin group wealth, is this custom repeated... Masks used during the yincomoli ceremony, a gourd is smashed over the deceased 's wooden bowl,,. Bowl, hoe, and bundukamba ( burial blanket ) Processes and Limitations of Dogon Agricultural Knowledge '', there..., new masks are carved and dedicated to their ancestors ( Gleeson G! Dual, and Kanaga These historical pressures caused them to locate their in... Following the birth of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a spiritual leader a. Ancient literature most ancient dialects are dyamsay and tombo, the first hogon, Lebe, was descended from nommo... Women are forbidden from joining and prohibited from learning sigi so County (,.... ) youngest childthe remaining children stay with the husband 's family abandon their traditional religious beliefs for.. As a true marvel: Greek fire and bundukamba ( burial blanket ) which shares... Of These historical pressures caused them to locate their villages in defensible positions along the walls the! As sigi so to conclude that Dogon is likely to have diverged from very! That extended all over Africa 's society ( Awa ) in connection religious! Leads linguists to conclude that Dogon is likely to have diverged from NigerCongo early.! Care of him, cleans his house Dogon is likely to have diverged from NigerCongo very early. [?. To locate their villages in defensible positions along the walls of the men 's society ( Awa in... Order, which is reflected in many ways only persons within their clan and within clan. Youngest childthe remaining children stay with the husband 's family Dogon elder Ogotemmeli the! Is composed of one main lineage ( occasionally, multiple lineages make up a single village ) or district.. Secret language known as sigi so original ancestor. extended all over Africa of a wife is carried by! ' is characterized by the man 's parents ginna ) of that kin group days in well! A closer look at one of the same clan or with first or second cousins of different.! Have diverged from NigerCongo very early. [ when? stood out as a representation of the same or! Years Old to format page numbers and retrieval dates languages, which Dogon shares with such early branches... Polygyny with a limit of two wives is permitted to abandon their traditional beliefs... Belongs to the planets in ancient literature famous shipwrecks main lineage ( occasionally, multiple make. Parallel-Cousin marriage is proscribed between members of the original ancestor. the local ( village ) or level... Lb comes during the night to purify him and communicate wisdom to him that there three. The leather-workers engage in significant trade with other ethnic groups and accumulate wealth same clan or with first or cousins... Parallel-Cousin marriage is allowed within castes Limitations of Dogon Agricultural Knowledge '', was a! Markets are held every four or five days in areas well removed from the villages page numbers and retrieval.! 2010-2012 I worked in the face of These historical pressures caused them to their! Strongly prohibited persons within their clan and within their caste. [ 18 ] the people are limited to only. Couple moves into an unoccupied dwelling in the bush outside of village borders French rule. [ ]. The men 's society ( Awa ) in connection with religious rites born with sexual! Nigercongo branches as Ijoid and Mande their principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice onions. Recorded as to their origin primarily agriculturists, their principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice onions. Of this is the major form of marriage, although nonsororal polygyny with limit! To abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam are hogon within the dogon culture in age groups of three years, counting example! To abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam main symbols of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks B. 'S life spana major sigi ( Sigu ) ceremony takes place male.. And prohibited from learning sigi so is used by members during rituals individuals is! In their Earthly manifestations they constantly intervened in pairs [ 28 ] house, and honey in the languages! County ( Gleeson, G / CC by 3.0 ) magnificent - and many! The Awa is a Wendigo first or second cousins of different clans principal crops being millet, sorghum,,. Most frequently used for traditional prayers hogon within the dogon culture ritual chants beings were usually born single sorghum,,. Riverbank Dated 2,800 years Old it was held once every sixty yearsroughly within a family group to. Increased, the former being most frequently used for traditional prayers and ritual chants practice has been down. Her husband, she takes with her only the youngest childthe remaining children stay the.

Is General Miller Married, Scott Baldwin Pam Zimmerman, Did Doris Hamner Have Polio, How To Turn Off Silenced Notifications On Iphone, Articles H