Dogon

Organization and Ritual

According to Griaule and Dieterlen, there are three primary Dogon cults. The first is devoted to a supreme god named Amma, who is deemed to have created the universe. The second is primarily concerned with the first living celestial beings created by Amma, called the Nommo. The third is devoted to the eight Dogon ancestors from whom the members of the four Dogon groups are thought to be descended. Regardless of cult, all Dogon members commonly acknowledge first Amma, then the Nommo, then the revered ancestors. Religious beliefs and practices similar to those of the Dogon are also observed by neighboring tribes, [Page 213][Page 214]including the Bozo and the Bambara. Griaule and Dieterlen's studies are also reflective of minor opinions that were drawn from elders of these related groups.

Dogon ancestral couple from the country of Mali. These ancestral figures are displayed during celebrations and cermonies for the deceased.

Source: Molefi Kete Asante and Ama Mazama.

The Dogon religion expresses itself outwardly through ritual observances that are seemingly quite ancient and that bear strong resemblance to classic religious traditions found in ancient Egypt, in Judaism, and in Buddhism. For example, the Dogon traditionally circumcise their young, wear skull caps and prayer shawls, and observe a Jubilee Year. Likewise, the Dogon observe cultural traditions that are distinctly reminiscent of ancient Egypt, including the practice of establishing districts and villages in pairs, one called Upper and the other called Lower. Griaule's Dogon cosmology is also couched in keywords whose pronunciations and meanings bear a strong resemblance to words and meanings found in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic language. For example, the name of an important Dogon festival, called the sigui, may relate to the ancient Egyptian word skbai, meaning “to celebrate a festival.” The Dogon myths are also illustrated with cosmological drawings that often take shapes that are similar to written Egyptian glyphs.

...