Dogon Dama | National Geographic

Summary

In the Dogon village of Comecon, Mali, the rare and revered Dama festival is a celebration of manhood and a tribute to deceased ancestors, only held after a bountiful harvest. For young men like 29-year-old Automated Ogle O Sai, the Dama represents a crucial rite of passage. Autumn A, from another Dogon village, seeks to convince his grandfather, the mask keeper, to initiate the festival despite a spirit's ominous prediction. Through divination, a village shaman receives a hopeful sign, but the decision rests with the grandfather, who must balance tradition with the desires of the younger generation.

Takeaways

• 🌾 The Dama is a rare mask festival in the Dogon village of Comecon, Mali, held only after a good harvest.
• 🎭 The festival is a rite of passage for young men, symbolizing the transition from boyhood to manhood.
• 👴 The timing of the Dama is determined by the village's oldest man, who is also the keeper of the masks.
• 🔮 A conflict arises as the village fortune-teller was told by a spirit that the next Dama would be the grandfather's last.
• 🐺 The 'Pale Fox' is a figure who emerges during divination, potentially holding the answer to the conflict over the Dama's timing.
• 📜 The script involves a ritual where patterns are drawn in the sand for divination, indicating a deep cultural practice.
• 🌳 The celebration includes offerings of millet to thank the spirits, showcasing the village's connection to nature and ancestors.
• 💃 The old man of Comecon leads the dancing, demonstrating the importance of tradition and the role models in the community.
• 🙏 Autumn A, a young man from another Dogon village, seeks to persuade his grandfather to initiate the Dama for the benefit of all young men.
• 🚫 Despite Autumn A's efforts and the potential blessing from the fox, the old man refuses to initiate the Dama this year, maintaining the tradition's sanctity.
• 🌟 The narrative highlights the tension between tradition and the desires of the younger generation, as well as the significance of community rituals.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Dama festival in the Dogon culture?

The Dama festival is a mask festival in the Dogon culture that honors deceased elders. It is more than a celebration; it is a rite of passage to Dogon manhood, where boys can transition to manhood by wearing masks and dancing at the festival.

Why is the Dama festival only held after a good harvest?

The Dama festival is held after a good harvest as a way to give thanks to the spirits and celebrate the abundance. It is a rare event due to the infrequent good harvests in the environment of the Dogon village.

What is the role of the masks in the Dama festival?

The masks in the Dama festival are used by young men during the dance as part of the initiation into manhood. They symbolize the transition from boyhood to manhood and are considered a crucial aspect of the festival.

Who is Automate Ogle O Sai and why is he important in the story?

Automate Ogle O Sai is a 29-year-old man from the Dogon village of Comecon who has not yet participated in the Dama festival. His story is significant because it highlights the importance of the Dama festival in the Dogon culture for young men to be recognized as adults.

What is the conflict regarding the timing of the Dama festival?

The conflict is between the village fortune-teller, who was told by a spirit that the next Dama festival would herald the grandfather's death, and the villagers who desire to hold the festival. The grandfather, as the keeper of the masks, has the responsibility to determine the timing.

What is the role of the village shaman in the Dama festival?

The village shaman plays a crucial role in the Dama festival by predicting the future and determining the appropriate time for the festival through divination. He communicates with spirits to seek guidance on when the festival should take place.

Why does Autumn A decide to act and what does he do?

Autumn A decides to act because he wants to participate in the Dama festival and believes it is essential for the young men in his village. He asks the fortune-teller to contact the spirit that seems to have condemned him to eternal childhood, hoping to change the outcome.

What does the Pale Fox represent in the script?

The Pale Fox in the script represents a spirit that the village shaman communicates with during divination. It is an elusive entity that provides answers or guidance, which is significant in the context of the Dama festival's timing.

Why is the grandfather hesitant to initiate the Dama festival?

The grandfather is hesitant to initiate the Dama festival because he was told by a spirit through the village fortune-teller that the next festival would be his last, implying his death. This prophecy makes him reluctant to set the festival in motion.

What is the outcome of Autumn A's quest regarding the Dama festival?

Autumn A's quest to convince his grandfather to initiate the Dama festival is successful, but the festival will not take place that year. The grandfather agrees to initiate it the following year, which gives hope to Autumn A and the other young men in the village.