Fetish

The Dogon people inhabit the Bandiagara Escarpment in the south-central part of the Republic of Mali. One of the most important elements of their social structure is the endogamous binu ture families, divided into exogamous togu lineages. However, the basic unit of social organisation is the large patrilineal, polygynous and patrilocal family. It is headed by ginna bana (owner of the big house) - a patriarch, the oldest male resident of ginna. He decides on the most important matters of the family and represents it externally. The basis for the existence of a great family is the belief of its members that they are descended from a common ancestor. Each ginna has a family altar, dedicated to the ancestors of wagem, on which the patriarch makes offerings. Ancestors are also commemorated in niches formed in the facades of great houses. The objects they used and the vessels for making offerings are kept there. Ginna bana enjoys great authority, all family members count on his opinion and submit to his will. Respect for the elders and observance of religious prohibitions is a guarantee of family unity; violation or breach of these rules may even lead to the break-up of the family. After the death of the old ginna bana, a new one is elected. The basic criterion for selection is age, but other qualities such as a healthy bright mind and an impeccable reputation are also important. Several families may already form a district, which in turn make up the villages, sometimes scattered over a large area. To each ginna belong certain fields, so the kinship system corresponds to the land use system.

Ewa Prądzyńska