The Culture of the Dogon - On View in Germany for the First Time | Arts 21

DW News

27 Nov 201105:49

Summary

TLDRThe Doone people of Mali are renowned for their rich and diverse culture, with the terilli masked dancers performing the dance of death at funerals and tourists' events. Their masks and wood sculptures, deeply rooted in their religious cosmology, are exhibited in Germany, highlighting colonial-era artifacts. However, a travel warning has led to a tourism downturn, impacting the local economy and wood carvers' livelihoods. The Doone, living in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bandiagara, have seen their cultural heritage scattered abroad. Efforts are underway to raise awareness and preserve their unique art, with museums and art centers aiming to educate and inspire future generations.

Takeaways

🎭 The Doone people of Mali are known for their rich and diverse culture, including the masked dancers of Terilli who perform the dance of death at funerals and for tourists.
🎨 The Doone are renowned globally for their masks and wood sculptures, which are deeply rooted in their religious cosmology where animals play a significant role.
🏛️ An exhibition showcasing the Doone's art, including masks and religious objects, is held at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn, featuring pieces that were previously removed during colonial times.
🌳 The Doone's art is produced in villages and used in religious rituals, but the lack of tourism due to travel warnings has severely impacted the local economy and the wood carvers' livelihoods.
🏞️ The area where the Doone live, in eastern Mali, was declared a World Heritage site over 20 years ago for its cliffs and traditional clay dwellings.
🌱 The Doone share the region with the Talum people and have adopted many of their traditions, including their animist religion, which believes in the soul of objects and animals.
🔮 The Doone's religious objects often disappear due to being sold out of economic necessity or theft, leading to a loss of cultural heritage.
🏛️ Museums in the Doone land, built with help from the Mali government and German cooperation, aim to raise cultural awareness and keep cultural assets in Mali.
🌐 The exhibition in Bonn not only displays valuable artworks but also examines the legacy of colonialism and the influence of Doone art on European artists, including Pablo Picasso.
👨‍🎨 Despite the challenges, some local artists like YF Dada have managed to make a living from their art, combining traditional wood carving techniques with their own unique styles.

Q & A

What is the Doone people's culture known for in Africa?
-The Doone people's culture is known for being one of the most fascinating and diverse in Africa, with unique traditions and art forms such as the masked dancers of Terilli and their renowned masks and wood sculptures.
What is the significance of the dance of death performed by the masked dancers of Terilli?
-The dance of death is performed at funerals and is a significant cultural practice of the Doone people, symbolizing their religious cosmology where animals play an important role.
How are the ritual masks made by the Doone people?
-Each dancer carves his own ritual mask, with designs derived from the Doone's religious cosmology, which often includes elements of animals.
What is the current exhibition of the Doone's works at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany?
-The exhibition features masks, religious objects, and carvings that were removed from Mali during colonial times by European ethnologists and collectors.
Why are tourists important to the Doone people's economy?
-Tourists are crucial to the Doone economy as they buy the masks and sculptures, which are produced in villages like Marlei. The absence of tourists due to travel warnings has had disastrous consequences for the local economy and wood carvers.
What is the significance of the area where the Doone people live in eastern Mali?
-The area is a World Heritage site known for its cliffs and traditional clay dwellings, and it is where the Doone people developed one of Africa's most diverse cultures on the isolated plateau of Bandiagara.
What is the Doone people's religious belief regarding objects and animals?
-The Doone people believe in animism, which means they think that objects and animals have a soul, and this belief influences their burial practices and cultural heritage.
Why are some of the Doone's cultural heritage objects disappearing?
-Cultural heritage objects are disappearing due to economic necessity, as people sell them because of poverty, or they are stolen, leading to a loss of cultural assets.
What role do the museums in the land of the Doone play in preserving their culture?
-Museums in the Doone land raise cultural awareness and help keep cultural assets in Mali, but they also face the challenge of many artifacts already being lost to places abroad.
How has the Doone's art influenced European art?
-The Doone's art, particularly their sculptures, has had a significant influence on European art, inspiring modern artists like Pablo Picasso and many contemporary artists.
What is the current situation of local artists in Marlei, and how are they coping with the absence of tourists?
-Few local artists in Marlei can make a living with their art due to the absence of tourists. Some, like YF Dada, have managed to succeed by branching out into their own style and being discovered by foreign art collectors.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 The Doone Culture and Art of Mali

The Doone people of Mali are renowned for their rich and diverse culture, which includes the tradition of masked dancers performing the 'dance of death' at funerals. These dancers, known as terilli, carve their own ritual masks, each with designs rooted in the Doone's religious cosmology where animals play a significant role. The Doone are globally recognized for their masks and wood sculptures, some of which are exhibited in Germany's Art and Exhibition Hall. However, due to a travel warning, tourism has declined, adversely affecting the local economy and the wood carvers who traditionally sell their art to tourists and collectors. The Doone live in the eastern Mali region, which was declared a World Heritage site for its cliffs and traditional clay dwellings. They share the region with the Talum people and have adopted many of their animist traditions, including the belief in the soul of objects and animals. Unfortunately, many of these cultural artifacts are being sold out of economic necessity or stolen, leading to a loss of cultural heritage. Efforts are being made to raise awareness and encourage museums to preserve these artifacts within Mali.

05:01

🏺 The Impact of Tourism and Cultural Preservation in Mali

Tourism and farming are the primary means of survival for the Doone people, who have faced economic challenges due to a travel warning that has deterred tourists. This has had a profound impact on the local economy, particularly on wood carvers who rely on selling their art. The Doone have opened a center for traditional art and craft to pass on their skills to the younger generation and are hopeful that tourists will return soon. The Doone's art, which includes masks and sculptures, has a unique and magical quality that reflects their animist worldview and ancestral cults. This art has inspired European artists, including Pablo Picasso, and is currently on display in an exhibition in Bonn that examines the heritage of colonialism and the influence of Doone art on Europe. The exhibition also highlights the need for the return of cultural artifacts to Mali, emphasizing the importance of preserving the region's unique art and culture.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Doone people

The Doone people are an ethnic group in Mali, known for their rich and diverse culture. They are the central focus of the video, showcasing their traditions, art, and way of life. The script mentions their masked dancers, religious practices, and the importance of their cultural heritage, highlighting their unique position in African culture.

💡Terilli

Terilli refers to the masked dancers of the Doone people who perform the dance of death at funerals and other significant cultural events. This tradition is a key aspect of their cultural expression, symbolizing their beliefs and rituals. The script describes how these dancers carve their own ritual masks, which are deeply connected to their religious cosmology.

💡Ritual mask

A ritual mask is a carved object used by the Doone people in their religious and cultural ceremonies. Each mask is unique, hand-carved by the dancer who will wear it, and the designs are derived from their religious cosmology where animals play a significant role. The masks are not only used in rituals but are also sold to tourists and art collectors, making them a vital part of the local economy.

💡Cosmology

Cosmology, in the context of the Doone people, refers to their religious beliefs and worldview, which includes the significance of animals and the spiritual realm. The script explains that the designs on the ritual masks are derived from this cosmology, reflecting the Doone's understanding of the universe and their place within it.

💡World heritage site

The area where the Doone people live, in eastern Mali, was declared a World Heritage site over 20 years ago. This designation recognizes the cultural and natural significance of the region, which includes its cliffs and traditional clay dwellings. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving these cultural sites and the traditions associated with them.

💡Animist religion

Animism is a religious belief system wherein everything in the natural world, including objects and animals, is believed to have a soul. The Doone people follow an animist religion, which influences their cultural practices, such as burying the dead with their totems. This belief system is integral to understanding their rituals and the significance of their religious objects.

💡Cultural heritage

Cultural heritage refers to the traditions, art, and artifacts that are passed down through generations and represent a group's history and identity. The script discusses the challenges of preserving the Doone's cultural heritage, as economic necessity and theft have led to the loss of many valuable objects to foreign collectors and museums.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the practice of a powerful nation exerting control over a less-developed country, often leading to the exploitation of resources and cultural artifacts. The video mentions how European ethnologists and collectors removed many of the Doone's masks and sculptures during colonial times, impacting their cultural heritage and leading to ongoing discussions about repatriation.

💡Art and culture

The art and culture of the Doone people are highlighted throughout the video, showcasing their unique sculptures, masks, and traditional practices. The script emphasizes the influence of Doone art on European artists, such as Pablo Picasso, and the importance of preserving and promoting this art to future generations.

💡Traditional handicrafts

Traditional handicrafts are an important part of the Doone people's culture and economy. The script mentions the opening of a center for traditional art and craft, indicating an effort to preserve these skills and pass them on to younger generations. Handicrafts like wood carving are not only a source of income but also a means of cultural expression and identity.

💡Tourism

Tourism plays a crucial role in the Doone people's economy, as it provides a market for their art and handicrafts. The script discusses the negative impact of travel warnings on the region, leading to a decline in tourism and economic hardship for the local wood carvers and artisans. The return of tourists is seen as essential for the survival and continuation of their cultural practices.

Highlights

The Doone people in Mali have a fascinating and diverse culture in Africa.

Masked dancers of Terilli perform the dance of death at funerals and for tourists.

Dancers carve their own ritual masks, with designs derived from the Doon's religious cosmology.

The Doon are renowned for their masks and wood sculpture worldwide.

An exhibition of Doone works is held at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The exhibition features masks, religious objects, and carvings removed during colonial times.

The Doone live by old traditions, and their masks and sculptures are used in religious rituals and sold.

A travel warning has led to a decline in tourism, impacting the local economy and wood carvers.

The Doone region in eastern Mali was declared a World Heritage site over 20 years ago.

Tourism and farming are the main sources of survival for one of Africa's most diverse cultures.

The Doone share the region with the Talum people, adopting many of their traditions, including their animist religion.

The Doone believe objects and animals have a soul, and the dead are buried with their totems.

Cultural heritage objects are often sold out of economic necessity or stolen.

Museums in the Doone land aim to raise cultural awareness and keep cultural assets in Mali.

The exhibition in Bon examines the heritage of colonialism and the influence of Doone art on Europe.

Doon sculpture reflects the creator's animist worldview and ancestral cults.

The Doone sculptures inspired modern European artists like Pablo Picasso.

YF Dada is a local artist who has managed to make a living with his art, combining traditional techniques with his own style.

The Doone have opened a center for traditional art to pass on their craft to the younger generation.

The Doone hope that tourists will return to support their traditional handicrafts and art.