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This
bush taxi will take us towards Dogon Country, the most visited part of
Mali.
Are
we all going to fit?
Somehow
we do - 10 passengers, not including the driver!
The
taxi drops us off in Bandiagara. Here we meet Kouyate's brother, who lends
us his moto to take into Dogon country.
The
moto ride feels like luxury after the overloaded station wagon!
We
pass more villages.
We
see many
modes
of
transportation.
Agriculture
is centered
along
the rivers.
We
arrive in Sanga.
We
will stay here tonight.
Ahead
is Bongo.
The
Dogon are selling their art in this natural tunnel.
The
Dogon fled to the Bandiagara escarpment around the 14th century, when
they refused to convert to Islam. They still practice Animism.
The
dwellings in the cliff are of the ancient Tellum, who lived here long
before the Dogon. The Dogon live in the villages below.
Here's
a Ji Duma well in Ibi.
We
check on the solar panel for the pump.
Hope
you have energy for this hike up into Irelli.
The
Dogon currently live in the dwellings at the base of the cliff. They store
precious artifacts in the higher cliff dwellings of the ancient Tellum.
This
man greets us in Irelli.
This
door is an example of the famous Dogon art.
Here's
a closer look at the dwellings.
On
the right is a traditional building called a toguna. The architecture
forces men to resolve their disputes diplomatically, since the ceiling
is too low to stand up.
The
tall narrow buildings are granaries.
Enjoy
the beauty.
We're
not the only ones struggling with the terrain!
Every
drop of water they use in the village needs to be carried up the hill.
We
catch a ride with this man out of Dogon country. It is a slow process,
as he must go through the elaborate greeting ritual with every Dogon we
meet.
click here to visit sevare/mopti/djenne>>
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