Figure - man

The Dogon are a patriarchal society in which men play a dominant, responsible role. Their tasks include managing the people, directing religion and the economy and politics. The male 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 men who are full of vitality and burdened with responsibility for their families (teachers), older family leaders who have the duty to pass on traditions (guides), and the oldest men with a wealth of knowledge who are already close to the category of ancestors. The group of men commonly known as guides is divided into two subgroups. The first, comprising Dogon aged 52-60, is called inew na yun puyopuya wo-in, which translates as those who possess the flower of death, while the second, integrating men aged 60-68, is called ginna benw - owners of great families. Members of the guide group, characterised by grey hair, danced during at least one Sigi festival, held every 60 years. They are widely respected and considered sages. The proper functioning of the whole society rests on their shoulders. They often stay in togu-na buildings, namely, special meeting places for men, where they share their experience with the younger ones. The Dogon believe that 60 years is the upper limit that a living person can reach. After this period, even if he is still alive he is considered dead, because he enters the world of his dead ancestors.

Ewa Prądzyńska