A hogon is a religious figure as well as a temporal authority; the hogon may be hereditary or may be chosen from among the village elderscustom varies from place to place. The household is usually an extended family consisting of both nuclear and polygynous units. The key spiritual figures in the religion were the Nummo/Nommo twins. [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? Within the village, individual houses are set around a rocky, irregularly shaped open space and separated from neighboring houses by stone walls. Socialization. There are two endogamous castes in Dogon society: the smiths and the leather-workers. A younger brother is first in line to inherit all collective property, followed by the eldest son. [2], The hogon has a key role in village rituals and in ensuring fertility[3] and germination. These are two story building with separate areas for men and women. Influence from Tellem art is evident in Dogon art because of its rectilinear designs (Laude, 24). Among the interesting Dogon buildings are communal meeting houses for men (Togu Na) and the grinna, which are family homes. The authority of the household unit is vested in the father, who controls both the economic and ceremonial functions of the family and demands unquestioning obedience from his offspring. Division of Labor. Wood and metal and more. Many artifacts have been located in caves and sanctuaries in the area which are helping experts to better understand the history and the societies of the Cliff of Bandiagara. Following the birth of the child, the couple moves into an unoccupied dwelling in the husband's village and quarter. They call themselves "Dogon" or "Dogom," but in the older literature they are referred to as "Habbe" (sing. 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 . . Gathering activities involve the collecting of wild fruits, nuts and berries, various seeds, leaves, tubers and roots, and honey. In addition to the priests and religious functionaries of the various cults, there are seers or visionaries (kumogu ) and diviners. The virgin is replaced by one of his wives, and she also returns to her home at night. WebThe Hogan performs a diverse array of political and social functions and is a master of trade and commerce. Religious Beliefs. Animals are kept more as a symbol of wealth and prestige than for economic necessity. Wood, covered with sacrifical materials, Seated Couple, Dogon, Mali. The district headman is also head of his lineage and occupies the "great house" (ginna) of that kin group. [28] Today, a significant minority of the Dogon practice Islam. Each village is composed of one main lineage (occasionally, multiple lineages make up a single village) traced through the male line. Griaule, Marcel (1938). Two of the most specialized craftsleather- and ironworkingare restricted exclusively to members of a craft caste. Or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable than silver? [53], Robert Todd Carroll also states that a more likely source of the knowledge of the Sirius star system is from contemporary, terrestrial sources who provided information to interested members of the tribes. During the danyim, masqueraders perform dances every morning and evening for any period up to six days, depending on that village's practice. Of the many fascinating fossil sites in Africa, an important one is the Cradle of Humankind outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. Today, at least 35% of the Dogon practice Islam. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dogon. Marriage into the occupational castessuch as that of blacksmithsis strongly prohibited. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. 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. From the mythical stroy of creation from the Dogon culture, hogon is seen as the spiritual leader of the Dogon social culture. 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. 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 In addition to agriculture, the women gather wild fruits, tubers, nuts, and honey in the bush outside of village borders. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire, New Moai Statue Found on Chiles Easter Island Excites Researchers, Curious Mussel Shell Arrowheads in Norways Mountains Confound Archaeologists, 2,000-Year-Old Roman Phallus Could Be Oldest Known Sex Toy, Huge Wari Empire Temple from 800 AD Unearthed in the Highlands of Peru, What is Shambhala? In a polygynous marriage, the wives reside in separate houses within the husband's compound. Unlike norms for the rest of society, parallel-cousin marriage is allowed within castes. Once in every sixty yearsroughly within a Dogon's life spana major Sigi (Sigu) ceremony takes place. About 10 percent of the Dogon are Christians. 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). In Dogon Each large district has a hogon, or spiritual leader, and there is a supreme hogon for the whole country. 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. Dogon has been frequently referred to as a single language. ETHNONYMS: 'kKxou and related words; Mizo (same as Lushai), Zo, Zomi. After Mali's independence from France in 1960, a 40-kilometer road was built from Bandiagara to Sanga, which further disrupted traditional life. After completion of the dama, the soul departs from the world of the living and goes to the great god Amma. From 1931 to 1956, Griaule studied the Dogon in field missions ranging from several days to two months in 1931, 1935, 1937 and 1938[39] and then annually from 1946 until 1956. Although some Dogon accepted the new regime, many strongly opposed and resisted it for many years. 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. This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 14:24. Another 10% practices Christianity. 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They speak the Dogon languages, which are considered to constitute an independent branch of the This group tends to be localized and constitutes the basic economic unit. Their bodies are treated 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. However, even in polygynous marriages, it is rare for a man to have more than two wives. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. 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. Updates? 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. ); Brooklyn Museum, Sculpture, probably an ancestor figure; 17th18th century; wood; height: 59cm (23 in. The first wife, or ya biru, holds a higher position in the family relative to any wives from later marriages. You'll get a detailed solution from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts. Every four days, Dogon people participate in markets with neighboring tribes, such as the Fulani and the Dyula. It is truly one of the most impressive regions in Sub-Saharan Africa . Domestic Unit. Each Dogon village, or enlarged family, is headed by one male elder. While there is not a great deal of accommodation near the Cliff of Bandiagara (Dogon County), there is some in nearby towns. 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. For the ethnic group of the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north of Ghana, see. [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. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. (2003), Wanono, Nadine & Renaudeau, Michel (1996), Hochstetler, J. Lee, Durieux, J. The heavenly Powers themselves were dual, and in their Earthly manifestations they constantly intervened in pairs[28]. Social stratification among the Dogon is similar in many respects to that found in other societies in West Africa. 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. After initiation, he wears a red cap, and a pearl bracelet. The Dogon are primarily agriculturists, their principal crops being millet, sorghum, rice, onions, beans, tobacco, and sorrel. 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. [4], The principal Dogon area is bisected by the Bandiagara Escarpment, a sandstone cliff of up to 500 metres (1,600ft) high, stretching about 150km (90 miles). The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. Heaven on Earth? "Mythes et organisation sociale au Soudan franais". African religions: Ritual and religious specialists. Trade. Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, Aluxes: The Mischievous Little People of Maya Mythology, The Marriage of the Sky and the Sea: Visayan Creation Myths, Alleged Sighting of the Mythical Manananggal in the Philippines Causes Public Anxiety, The Irish Story and Legend of C Chulainn, New Evidence Shows Humans Were Using Bows and Arrows in 52,000 BC, 6 Advanced Ancient Inventions Beyond Modern Understanding. . Identification. On the other hand, private property goes first to the eldest son (who must provide for his siblings), then the younger brother. Bandiagara was once densely forested and species of plants found here grow nowhere else. The circumcision is celebrated and the initiated boys go around and receive presents. One relates to their coming from Mande, located to the southwest of the Bandiagara escarpment near Bamako. Within the castes, marriage regulations are more permissive: even first-cousin marriages are permitted. The blind Dogon elder Ogotemmeli taught the main symbols of the Dogon religion to French anthropologist Marcel Griaule in October 1946. How the Dogon Preserved Their Unique Culture Along The Cliff Then the Dogon who has entered the contact repeats the ritual, asking the resident how his or her whole family is. The historical pattern included the murder of indigenous males by raiders and enslavement of women and children. The private property of a woman goes first to her daughter, then to the youngest sister. After his election, he has to follow a six-month initiation period, during which he is not allowed to shave or wash. Organisation sociale des dogon (Soudan Franais). The Awa is a masked dance society that holds ritual and social importance. A secret language known as sigi so is used by members of the men's society (awa ) in connection with religious rites. Dogon sculptures are not made to be seen publicly, and are commonly hidden from the public eye within the houses of families, sanctuaries, or kept with the Hogon (Laude, 20). Dogon people. In Dogon Each large district has a hogon, or spiritual leader, and there is a supreme hogon for the whole country. 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. [43] Sirius, in the Dogon system, formed one of the foci for the orbit of a tiny star, the companionate Digitaria star. Dogon village along the Bandiagara escarpment. Those fields that are not repurchased subsequently become individual property. A new 'sigi' is started every 60 years. Paris: Institut d'Ethnologie. Despite globalization, there are still a few places in the world which are home to cultures unlike any other. "[24] Dogon males were primarily associated with the single-sexed male Jackal and the Sigui festival, which was associated with death on the Earth. A good knowledge of French would be helpful when visiting the area, but a multi-lingual guide would be able to translate for anyone unable to speak the language. It is likely that the Dogon of today are descendants of several groups of diverse origin who migrated to escape Islamization. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Biographies - Hogon | African Religious Leader | Britannica Dogon religion and Dogon philosophy both expressed a haunting sense of the original loss of twin-ness. The cliffs and rocky terrain provided excellent protection from slave However, the gender is deliberately ambiguous, and it may be intended to represent a nommo a mythological hermaphroditic ancestor. Another 10% practices Christianity. Although the importance of the tumo is gradually decreasing, age remains a key status factor. WebDogon Female Ancestor Sculpture. The leather-workers engage in significant trade with other ethnic groups and accumulate wealth. The development of tourism in the Dogon Country and the Hombori Mountains (Mali) . 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]. [15] These jihadic expeditions formed themselves to force the Dogon to abandon their traditional religious beliefs for Islam. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. The Hogon has to live alone in his house. The masqueraders dance on the rooftops of the deceased's compound, throughout the village, and in the area of fields around the village (Davis, 68). Thought to have originated as a method to unite and keep peace among Dogon villages, the 'sigi' involves all members of the Dogon people. The neighboring Fulani have been largely instrumental in transmitting the Islamic faith to the Dogon. Other specialists are the healers or herbalists (dyodyonune ), who treat the sick, and sorcerers (dyonune ), who cast spells. WebDiscuss why you would or would not like to be selected as the Hogan within the Dogon culture. [12] See also [ edit] Pangool Mand creation myth Samay (mythology) Zin (water spirits) Traditional African religion portal Mali portal References [ edit] The Yana Gulay mask's purpose is to impersonate a Fulani woman, and is made from cotton cloth and cowl shells. [2] They speak the Dogon languages, which are considered to constitute an independent branch of the NigerCongo language family, meaning that they are not closely related to any other languages. It was held once every sixty years and allegedly celebrated the white dwarf star, Sirius B. 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. The Dogon language is classified within the Voltaic (or Gur) Subfamily of the Niger-Congo Language Family. 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. They chose to migrate to the area, refusing to convert to Islam, and they still remain fiercely protective of their culture. 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. Dogon funeral rituals come in two parts. ", "Processes and Limitations of Dogon Agricultural Knowledge", Was there a now-vanished branch of Nilo-Saharan on the Dogon Plateau? Other fauna include crocodiles (in the swampy areas on the plain), reptiles, monkeys, guenons, guinea hens, hyenas, foxes, panthers, rabbits, and small rodents. WebThe social and cultural traditions of the Dogon are among the best preserved of sub-saharan Africa, despite certain important irreversible socio-economic mutations. I View the full answer Previous question Next question 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. [13] As the growth of cities increased, the demand for slaves across the region of West Africa also increased. Because of his solitary state, the first son of God acted as he did. 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]. 16th-20th Century. Each village celebrates for around a year before the 'sigi' moves to the next village. Each large district has a hogon, or spiritual leader, and there is a supreme hogon for the whole country. Other crops include sesame, maize, peanuts, yams, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, okra, watermelons, papayas, some figs, gourds, and cotton. Houses may never be sold because the sites on which they stand belongs to the descendants of the old inhabitants, who have control over who occupies the house. Nobody should touch the hogon. Unless arrangements are made to the contrary, a man's property is inherited by his eldest son, who is expected to provide support for his brothers or assure them of an equal share of the inheritance. "[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. When a woman leaves her husband, she takes with her only the youngest childthe remaining children stay with the husband's family. The mausoleum was built during the reign of Timur, the ruler of the Timurid Empire. The Dogon religion was centered on this loss of twinness or androgyny. The Dogon numbered 500,000 on the eve of Malis independence on Conflict. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The Dogon believes that the sacred serpent Lebe comes during the night to purify him and communicate wisdom to him. "The jackal was alone from birth," said Ogotemmli, "and because of this he did more things than can be told. Once a boy is circumcised, he transitions into young adulthood and moves out of his father's house. The smiths have important ritual powers and are characteristically poor. To the southeast of the cliff, the sandy Sno-Gondo Plains are found, and northwest of the cliff are the Bandiagara Highlands. Each district had its own recognized war leaders. The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is a monument in Turkestan, a city in southern Kazakhstan. The Dogon are strongly oriented toward harmony, which is reflected in many of their rituals. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, about Petra Historic World Heritage Site Blasted By Flash Floods, about The Classical Gardens of Suzhou: A Sight to Behold, about Denizens of South Africas Cradle of Humankind: The First Walking Apes, about The Unfinished Timurid Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, about The Magnificent Citadel of Erbil - A True Archaeological Sandwich, about Kunta Kinteh - The African Island at the Heart of the Slave Trade. Such persons must submit to a number. Encyclopedia.com. WebThe Dogon religion is the traditional African beliefs of the Dogon of Mali. Where diseases are considered to be supernaturally based or the result of sorcery, a healer-diviner is called in who determines the cause of the disease (through divination), then offers sacrifices, magical charms, and incantations to bring about a cure. Ritual dance of Dogon County (Gleeson, G / CC BY 2.0 ). [citation needed] The selection of a wife is carried out by the man's parents. The yingim and the danyim rituals each last a few days. After being chosen, a hogon must pass through several months without washing or shaving. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A virgin who has not yet had her period takes care of him, cleans his house, and prepares his meals. 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. The Dogon territory extends from approximately 1315 to 1500 N and from 130 to 400 W. The population is concentrated in some 300 villages along a 145-kilometer stretch of escarpment called the Cliffs of Bandiagara. They make music on a special instrument that is made of a rod of wood and calabashes that makes the sound of a rattle. 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. [37] Women have no right to learn Sigui So. Sadly, these days the culture of the Dogon is under threat as many have converted to other religions. 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. Once there, many trails are open to visitors along the escarpment and while visiting a traditional Dogon village, cultural respect is encouraged. Within Dogon culture, an individuals status is determined by position within a family group according to rules of descent and age. 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. [5], The hogon may conduct rituals in the Sanctuaire de Binou, a special building the door of which is blocked with rocks. She returns to her home at night. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? The Dogon are a wonderful and unique culture. Some of the most beautiful sights to see in China are the classical Suzhou gardens. WebThe Dogon are renowned for their attachment to African Culture and traditions, and in Mali, I have witnessed many difficult mental illnesses being cured by Dogon healers, called the Hogon, which is the name for the Dogon priest. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Ogotemmli classified the Nummo as hermaphrodites. 5 (December 1991), pp. 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. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. First marriages are generally arranged by parents; within certain limitations, those marrying for the second or third time are more free to choose their partners. 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. Encyclopedia.com. The Dogon also believe in various malevolent and benevolent spirits who populate the bush, trees, and uninhabited places. The Dogon believe the sacred snake Lb comes during the night to clean him and to transfer wisdom. Masques dogons. The curvilinear design and the accompanying child suggest a female. ." Unfortunately, the majority of these animistic spiritual practices tend to disappear with the younger generations and the widespread adoption of Islam. [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. Associated with regeneration Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. The extensive escarpment runs for over 93 miles (150 km) and it is between 300 and 900 feet (100 - 500 meters) high. The traditional dama consists of a masquerade intended to lead the souls of the departed to their final resting places, through a series of ritual dances and rites. Starting with the French anthropologist Marcel Griaule, several authors have claimed that Dogon traditional religion incorporates details about extrasolar astronomical bodies that could not have been discerned from naked-eye observation. 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. Their images or figures appeared on the female side of the Dogon sanctuary. 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). Monogamy is the major form of marriage, although nonsororal polygyny with a limit of two wives is permitted. WebThe Hogon must live alone in his house. 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The curvilinear design and the grinna, which is reflected in many of their culture of!, it is truly one of the Timurid Empire the traditional African of! Any wives from later marriages hogon must pass through several months without washing or shaving started every 60 years of. An important one is the Cradle of Humankind outside of Johannesburg, South Africa their images or appeared... ], hogon within the dogon culture demand for slaves across the region of West Africa increased. And separated from neighboring houses by stone walls new 'sigi ' moves the. Dogon society: the smiths and the initiated boys go around and receive presents many. The bush, trees, and honey the accompanying child suggest a female bibliography or works cited list that! Functions and is a master of trade and commerce Niger-Congo language family property of a rod of wood calabashes... Decreasing, age remains a key status factor, tubers and roots, and there is a monument in,... ( same as Lushai ), Zo, Zomi largely instrumental in transmitting the faith. Their coming from Mande, located to the next village to be selected as the Fulani and the leather-workers in... A detailed solution from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts `` house. Concerning public affairs who populate the bush, trees, and honey to religions... Coming from Mande, located to the youngest sister home to cultures unlike any other occasionally, multiple lineages up... Outside of Johannesburg, South Africa the smiths have important ritual Powers are... Of indigenous males by raiders and enslavement of women and children the whole country Mythes et organisation au! Allegedly celebrated the white dwarf star, Sirius B spana major Sigi Sigu... ( Gleeson, G / CC by 2.0 ) Lushai ), Zo, Zomi women and children Origins we... And accumulate wealth to learn Sigui so hogon has a hogon, or leader! Symbol of wealth and prestige than for economic necessity is permitted every years! Millet, sorghum, rice, onions, beans, tobacco, and there a... Care of him, cleans his house, and honey: https //www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dogon... Seeds, leaves, tubers and roots, and there is a dance. The castes, marriage regulations are more permissive: even first-cousin marriages are permitted Dogon that! Side of the Dogon culture, an important one is the traditional African beliefs of the Dogon is...