Figure - man

The Dogon are people living in the south-central part of the Republic of Mali. Its number is estimated at 500-600 thousand. The largest concentration of their villages is located on a 150 km stretch along the Bandiagara Escarpment. The villages are located on the massif, on the plain spreading around it and on the so-called debris, i.e. stony slopes and ravines located at its foot. The Dogon are a patriarchal society in which men play a dominant and responsible role. Their tasks include managing the people, directing religion and the economy and politics. The men's world is divided into four hierarchical, hermetic groups, further divided internally into several subgroups. These include: young, teenage, circumcised men, who are not yet experienced (commonly called apprentices), adult Dogon, full of vitality and burdened with responsibility for their families (teachers), older leaders of families, who have the duty to pass on traditions (guides) and the oldest men, aged 68 and over, called in the Dogo-so language ogo-unw, which translates as patriarchs. The descriptive term 'old, dried-up people' is sometimes used to describe members of this group. They possess a great deal of knowledge and are still alive, but lack the vitality that gives them strength and energy to act. They are cared for and highly respected. They are just one step away from joining the category of ancestors. They no longer have any responsibilities, but the rest of the men have the task of advising them on any matter, seeking answers to their questions and discussing at any time to learn as much as possible from them.

Ewa Prądzyńska