Blogs from Dogon Country, Mali, Africa - page 5

If I pass someone I know on the street, I might say "hello", "ay-up" or "alright?", the person would probably reply with the same, then we would either stop for a chat or keep walking. In Dogon Country it is a little different. A quick greeting between the Dogon goes like this: aga po (good morning) oh (yes) oh sewa (how are you?) sewa (fine) oh mano sewa (how are the family?) sewa (fine) oh gari sewa (how is your house?) sewa (fine) oh le be rally (congratulations) oh aah (welcome) You could also squeeze in "how is your mother?", how is the harvest?", or anything else you can think of. The roles are then reversed and the whole process starts again. Only then can you go your seperate ways or move matters on to ... read more

Some places are tourist honey pots for a good reason. The Dogon country is one of Mali's tourist honey pots. It deserves its status. The villages of the Dogon people are clustered around picture postcard scenery - a remote escarpment that was easy to defend from rivals. The Dogon people also have a unique culture. It's a must see destination best done by walking from village to village. This means you must be prepared to do without electricity, to use bucket showers and squat toilets, and sleep on the roofs of houses with only the stars and the moon for illumination. I've just come back from the Pays Dogon - it was brilliant! I booked with a tour company - a mistake. It's always better to book direct with the actual guides. You get the same ... read more