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The Dogon animist beliefs were brought to life by the dancers, their masks, the chanting village elders, and the beating of the drums. |
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| The
Dogons
It is believed that the Tellem tribe established the cliff dwellings
in the Bandiagara Escarpment before the 14th century. They also
established burial sites in the escarpment's caves. The Dogons came
to the escarpment in the 14th century to escape from the Muslims.
After the arrival of the Dogons the circumstances surrounding the
disappearance of the Tellems are not known. |
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(Click on image for larger view of this spectacular ruin) |
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Exactly how these tools were used or what specific meaning the pictographs symbolized was not revealed... |
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In
one village, the travelers were given the opportunity to watch
a series of ritualistic dances.
As
with all societies, there are rites of passage. In one village,
the travelers visited a site where young men are circumcised. On
a wall at the circumcision site are painted scenes that relate to
the ritual.
To
perform the circumcisions, these tools are used. 
