The Outside of the Village as a ‘Life-Giving’ Reservoir

Severe land degradation and erratic rainfall in the Sahel, exacerbated by human factors, have critically reduced life resources for the Dogon people of Tiréli, particularly millet—a staple of their subsistence economy. The study reveals a stark contrast between the region's dramatic natural and cultural aesthetics and its underlying scarcity of water, fertile soil, and arable crops. It highlights how localized flash floods and irregular monsoon patterns disrupt agricultural productivity, leaving communities vulnerable to food insecurity. While the research does not explicitly state innovative solutions, it underscores the urgent need for sustainable strategies to mitigate these environmental pressures on Dogon livelihoods.

(Ed.). (2016). The Outside of the Village as a ‘Life-Giving’ Reservoir. Living in a Landscape of Scarcity, 81–96. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315425214-12