Publications
Association between placental malaria, postnatal linear growth, and body mass index in the Dogon Longitudinal Study, Mali
Severe placental malaria (PM) is linked to long-term adverse growth outcomes in children, including reduced linear growth up to age 5 and increased body mass index (BMI). A study of 317 Dogon children in Mali found that severe parasite density in the placenta was associated with a persistent decrease in height (−0.83 cm at 6 months) and a significant increase in BMI from ages 2 to 5, even after controlling for birth weight. The research used longitudinal data collected twice yearly, analyzing placental histology alongside growth metrics via linear mixed models. This is the first evidence that PM impacts postnatal BMI, expanding our understanding of its long-term effects beyond neonatal outcomes.
How Is Authenticity Perceived in the Management of African World Heritage Sites? The Case of World Heritage Sites in Mali
A study on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mali reveals that the authenticity of African earthen architectural heritage is not solely defined by material criteria but is deeply rooted in intangible practices and regenerative building cultures. This holistic approach, which emphasizes sociocultural and spiritual dimensions, often conflicts with modern urban development aspirations, posing significant challenges for sustainable conservation. The research analyzed perceptions of authenticity among local communities, heritage professionals, and visitors, highlighting a notable discrepancy between institutional definitions and community understandings. The study focuses on four sites: the Ancient Cities of Djenné and Timbuktu, the Bandiagara Escarpment (including the Cliff of Bandiagara), and the Tomb of Askia, some dating back to the 2nd-3rd century BCE.
The Anthracology of Faidherbia Albida Parklands in West Africa: A Review and a Case Study from Tyi, Dogon Country, Mali
Recent anthracological research reveals that the spread of Faidherbia albida, a multipurpose tree species, in West African savannas began significantly earlier—hundreds of years ago—than previously thought. This shift occurred under intensified land use and possibly the influence of Fulani groups, challenging earlier estimates that placed its rise around 1,000 years ago. The study, conducted at Tyi in Mali's Dogon Country using large charcoal samples, provides a more precise timeline for this species' expansion in managed Sahelian landscapes, offering new insights into historical land-use dynamics in West Africa.
The Singing Prophet of the Dogon. A Nineteenth Century Voice on Dogon-Fulbe Relations and his Legacy
A body of 19th-century Dogon songs, known as baja ni, preserves previously unrecognized historical insights into the relationship between the Dogon and Fulbe peoples during the Macina realm. These songs, attributed to a blind poet-prophet named Abirè Goro, continue to play a role in Dogon funeral rituals and contain prophecies that have gained new relevance amid ongoing conflicts between the two groups. The study analyzes these oral traditions as a unique archive of social history, linking Dogon identity and future prospects to broader Mande cultural narratives.
Islam and the Oral History of Mali
This study reveals that Islam and pre-Islamic culture in Mali have coalesced into a seamless synthesis over 1290 years, defying simplistic distinctions between the two. By analyzing medieval Arabic sources alongside oral histories of mysterious disappearances and leadership genealogies, the research demonstrates how Muslim narratives—such as those involving Songhai Askia Muhammad—integrate Dogon traditions, including prophecies and animist practices, into broader Islamic frameworks. The village of Semari, historically off-limits to Muslims, exemplifies this syncretism, with its ties to Kangaba (linked to the Manden) legitimized through Islamic references like 'Manden Kaaba.' The findings underscore Mali's cultural identity as inherently dual: equally rooted in pre-Islamic and Muslim traditions without clear separation.
Risks and Benefits of Weight Gain in Children With Undernutrition
A 21-year longitudinal study of children in the Dogon villages of Mali's Bandiagara Escarpment reveals that weight gain during early childhood, while associated with modest increases in adult systolic blood pressure and obesity prevalence, offers significant benefits in terms of adult height. The research, involving over 1,300 participants, found that a one-standard-deviation increase in childhood weight was linked to a 3-4 cm taller stature in adulthood for both males and females, outweighing the risks of hypertension and obesity. This suggests that in undernourished populations, careful weight management during early years could enhance long-term health outcomes without significantly increasing cardiovascular risks.
Layers of Lexical Borrowing in Long-Term Contact Rooted among Ancient Crops from Mali’s Bandiagara Region
Research reveals that the linguistic landscape of Mali's Bandiagara Region, home to six distinct language groups, has been shaped by layers of lexical borrowing over centuries. The study suggests that current plant-related vocabulary shares deeper connections with ancient botanical knowledge, likely influenced by early agricultural practices such as pearl millet domestication around 5,000 years ago. This long-term contact is further linked to the Mande Expansion and West African trade routes, indicating a complex history of cultural exchange rooted in the region's fertile terrain and defensible geography.
Analysis of Technical Efficiency and Determinants of Cereal Production on Family Farms in the Dogon Plateau in Mali
Family farms on the Dogon Plateau in Mali exhibit an average technical efficiency of 72.75%, indicating a potential loss of 27.25% in production factors. Notably, less than 20% of farms operate below this average. The study, using stochastic frontier production method and truncated regression on data from 400 farms, found that integrating agriculture with livestock, land tenure security, and cultivation of onion/shallot significantly enhance farm efficiency. Surprisingly, residual insecurity did not negatively impact technical efficiency. This research provides critical insights into optimizing agricultural productivity in arid, challenging environments.
Dan Nan Ambassagou, un mouvement d’autodéfense armé en pays dogon
Armed self-defense movements in the Dogon territory of Mali, such as Dan Nan Ambassagou, emerge as responses to both social and political transformations. This study reveals that these mobilizations are driven by factors including the emancipation of younger generations from established elites, competition for agricultural and pastoral land, and the redefinition of historical landscapes into political entities. The research analyzes the 2017 statement by Y. Toloba, highlighting a resistance to jihadist interpretations of Islam while advocating for the preservation of ancestral religious practices. By integrating social and political dynamics, the study provides insight into the complex drivers of insecurity in central Mali's Dogon region.
A grammar of Tiranige (Dogon, Mali)
Tiranige, a Dogon language spoken on the western cliffs of the Bandiagara Plateau in Mali, exhibits a unique grammatical structure that bridges two distinct linguistic subgroups. Unlike other western Dogon languages, Tiranige uses pronominal-subject agreement suffixes for first and second singular pronouns while employing preverbal subject proclitics for first and second plural pronouns. This distinction sets it apart from both the Najamba-Kindige-Bondu group to the northeast, which also uses suffixes, and the southwestern Dogon languages like Bunoge, which rely on proclitics across all person markers. The grammar provides a detailed reference with interlinear texts and translations, offering valuable insights into the linguistic diversity of the region.
Cloth is Money: Textiles from the Sahel
Contemporary textiles from the Sahel region, including examples from Mali and Niger, reflect centuries-old weaving techniques, designs, and materials dating back to the 11th–15th centuries. The exhibition 'Cloth is Money: Textiles from the Sahel' at Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) highlighted this continuity by showcasing archaeological textile fragments from the Bandiagara escarpment in Mali alongside modern textiles. Curated by Jean Borgatti, the exhibit emphasized the enduring cultural significance of woven cloth in West Africa, tracing its origins to the trans-Saharan trade era that shaped medieval African empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. The display also addressed provenance, acknowledging the historical journeys of these artifacts from their regions of origin to museum collections.
Ex Africa Aliquid Novum [There is something new coming from Africa]: Herman Haan and Aldo van Eyck’s Journeys in a Pseudo-Ethnographic Vein
Post-World War II European architects Herman Haan and Aldo van Eyck viewed Western African deserts not as mere margins to modernity but as dynamic spaces bridging urban metropolises and primordial landscapes. Analyzing their travel diaries, this study reveals that Haan's pseudo-ethnographic approach dissolved the binary between modernist design and Dogon habitation in Mali's Bandiagara cliffs, demonstrating how spatial experiences were internalized rather than externally imposed. The research challenges Eurocentric architectural narratives by showing a fluid relationship between Rotterdam and the Niger River region, reflecting broader post-colonial fascination with African landscapes.
First steps towards the detection of contact layers in Bangime: a multi-disciplinary, computer-assisted approach
A novel, computer-assisted approach reveals that the Bangime language, spoken by the genetically isolated Bangande people of Mali's Bandiagara Escarpment, exhibits extensive lexical borrowing from neighboring Atlantic, Dogon, Mande, and Songhai languages. This suggests historical contact despite genetic divergence from surrounding groups. The study proposes that the Bangande were part of the expansive Mali Empire (13th–16th centuries), offering a multidisciplinary framework to trace language contact layers using automated lexical comparisons refined through qualitative analysis.
Risk factors for placental malaria, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine doses, and birth outcomes in a rural to urban prospective cohort study on the Bandiagara Escarpment and Bamako, Mali
A longitudinal cohort study on the Bandiagara Escarpment and Bamako, Mali, reveals that women who received no doses of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) during pregnancy experienced significantly worse birth outcomes compared to those who received three or more doses. These women were also younger and lacked primary school education, highlighting a critical gap in antenatal care access. The study found that pregnancies in urban areas, higher maternal education levels, births during the rainy season, and receiving ≥3 SP doses reduced the odds of placental malaria (PM). Severe PM infections were associated with decreased birth weight, length, and placental weight. The research used histological analysis of 317 placental samples collected from 249 mothers between 2011-2019 to assess PM infection stages and parasite density, employing generalized estimating equations for statistical modeling.
Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time: Art, Culture, and Exchange across Medieval Saharan Africa curated by Kathleen Bickford
The exhibition 'Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time' at the Block Museum of Art challenged Eurocentric narratives by centering Africa's role in medieval global trade networks (8th–16th centuries). It highlighted the Sahara as a hub for gold, salt, and intellectual exchange, juxtaposing archaeological fragments with intact artworks from West/North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The exhibition revealed Africa's sophisticated artistic innovation and economic influence during this period, particularly through trade in gold, which drew European attention. Key artifacts included gold-leafed manuscripts, terracotta figures, and ivory carvings, alongside didactic panels and video interviews that contextualized trans-Saharan trade routes. By emphasizing fragmentary evidence—such as Tellem textiles from the Bandiagara Escarpment and Chinese porcelain found in Mali—the exhibition demonstrated Africa's foundational role in shaping global medieval civilizations, deconstructing colonial-era perceptions of the 'Middle Ages.' The research approach combined curatorial scholarship with multimedia storytelling to bridge gaps between material culture and historical narratives.
No. 50936. United States of America and Mali
An international agreement between the United States and Mali, established in 1997, imposes import restrictions on archaeological materials from the Niger River Valley and Bandiagara Escarpment (Cliff of Bandiagara). This treaty aims to protect the cultural heritage of these regions by preventing the illegal export and trade of significant archaeological artifacts. The agreement underscores the importance of preserving the unique historical and cultural legacy of the Bandiagara Escarpment, which is renowned for its Dogon communities and their rich traditions. By regulating the movement of such materials, the treaty contributes to the global effort in safeguarding cultural heritage, ensuring that these irreplaceable treasures remain accessible for study and appreciation while mitigating the risks of looting and loss.
Diet variability among pre‐Dogon and early Dogon populations (Mali) from stable isotopes and dental diseases
A comprehensive bioarcheological study of the Bandiagara Escarpment reveals that diets among pre-Dogon and early Dogon populations (7th–19th century AD) were neither uniform nor continuous over time. Analysis of stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) in 175 teeth, alongside dental disease records from 220 crania, shows significant temporal shifts—likely due to dietary diversification—and geographical disparities linked to climate, environment, and culture. The findings challenge previous assumptions about stability in Dogon foodways, highlighting a complex history of settlement and agricultural practices.
Of Millet, Mice and Men: Traditional and Invisible Technology Solutions to Post-Harvest Losses in Mali
Official marketing practices significantly hinder millet production in the Dogon region of Mali, contributing to post-harvest losses of 20-40%. A buffer-stock scheme supporting a parallel market could more effectively stimulate production and stabilize prices than the current system. The study highlights traditional and 'invisible' technological solutions employed by the Dogons to mitigate these losses, offering insights into sustainable agricultural practices in the Sahelian zone.
War in the North of Mali and Islam in the Land of the Dogon. Notes of an Eyewitness
The conflict in northern Mali significantly impacted the traditional Islamic practices and societal structures of the Dogon people, particularly in the Bandiagara region. This study, based on firsthand observations, reveals how the war disrupted long-standing religious rituals and community dynamics, while also highlighting the resilience of local traditions amid political instability. The research employs qualitative methods, including field notes and interviews, to document changes in Islamic observance and Dogon cultural responses to the conflict. It provides a nuanced perspective on the intersection of religion, politics, and tradition in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
‘Making and Doing’ Dogon Microcosmology: Some Ethnographic, Methodological, and Conceptual Background
Dogon granaries, iconic structures of the Bandiagara Escarpment, serve as both defensive ramparts and microcosmological symbols, embodying the Dogon people's adaptation to a landscape of scarcity. These beige, square granaries with conical thatch roofs, built on stone pillars or rocks, blend seamlessly into the steep scree topography while forming an impenetrable fence against invasions. Their strategic placement, facing the Séno Gondo plain, reflects a dual function: practical fortification and symbolic containment within a resource-scarce environment.
Inside the Dogon Masks: The Selection of Woods for Ritual Objects
A study of 15 traditional Dogon masks from Mali's Bandiagara cliffs reveals a strong preference for ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) wood, used in 10 masks, while marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and African grape (Lannea spec.) were less common. This finding suggests the sacred significance of ceiba in Dogon ritual practices, with implications for understanding their cultural and religious traditions. The research analyzed mask materials to uncover patterns in wood selection, guided by the Awa secret society's rules.
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.
The Culture Bank: micro-credit, living objects and community development in West Africa
A novel community-driven approach, combining micro-credit initiatives with the preservation of living objects and local crafts, successfully generated revenue for Fombori, a Dogon village in Mali's Bandiagara Escarpment. This model, implemented through a small museum initiative, leveraged tourism to support economic development while safeguarding cultural heritage. The study highlights the potential of grassroots projects to foster sustainable growth in remote West African communities, demonstrating how local leadership and international collaboration can drive meaningful change.
Change of woody vegetation and land cover using high resolution images on the Dogon Plateau and Seno Plains (Mali)
Contrary to the long-standing belief that the Sahel region has undergone irreversible desertification, high-resolution satellite imagery reveals significant vegetation recovery since the 1980s. This study, focusing on the Dogon Plateau and Seno Plains in Mali, used panchromatic Corona images from 1967 and multispectral RapidEye images from 2011 to analyze woody vegetation and land cover changes over a 3600 km² area. The research identified a notable increase in sparsely vegetated areas and primary fields with trees, while dense bushland decreased, particularly in the Seno Plains. Degraded areas accounted for only 9.9% of the Dogon Plateau in 2011. These findings challenge both the desertification and 'greening' paradigms, highlighting complex spatial variations in land cover transformation.
L'occupation humaine de la vallée du Guringin (plaine du Séno, Mali)
Archaeological research in the Guringin Valley, Mali, and along the Bandiagara Escarpment reveals that water scarcity in this arid region drove human settlement from Neolithic times to the present. Surface pottery assemblages, analyzed alongside stratified samples from a test pit, show significant inter-site differences, indicating varied population movements and occupational densities. The study suggests that while settlements were modest in size, they were densely populated during the first and early second millennia AD, contrasting with the larger, proto-urban clusters of the Inland Niger Delta. This finding underscores the enduring importance of water as a limiting factor for human habitation in the Sudano-Sahelian plain.
Épidémiologie clinique et parasitologique de la leishmaniose cutanée dans cinq villages du Pays Dogon, Mali
A study on the Bandiagara Escarpment (Land of the Dogons), Mali, revealed the presence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania major, though its epidemiology remains poorly documented in the region. Researchers from France and Mali conducted a bio-clinical field study in five villages between January 16-27, 2010, examining 50 patients with skin lesions for CL symptoms. Using dermato-infectiological assessments, light microscopy, in vitro cultures, serology, and molecular biology, the team identified 18 suspected cases, with PCR confirming Leishmania spp. in 12 patients (86% positivity rate) and Western blot serology supporting the diagnosis in 92% of these cases. Despite negative smears and cultures, the findings suggest CL is present in Bandiagara, warranting further investigation during the transmission period (September-October) to confirm the presence of Leishmania major epidemics in the Dogon country.
The strength of a cultural system: Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons), Mali
The Cliff of Bandiagara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mali, stands out as one of the largest mixed (cultural and natural) sites globally, spanning 4,000 km². This region, also known as the Land of the Dogons, is home to 289 villages and showcases a unique cultural system that has thrived for centuries. The site's significance lies in its vast landscape, which includes plateaus, cliffs, and plains, providing insights into the resilience and adaptability of the Dogon people. The study highlights the interplay between human settlement patterns and natural geography, offering a rare glimpse into a traditional society deeply connected to its environment.
To dance or not to dance? Dogon masks as a tourist arena (Chapter 2)
A key insight from this study is the tension between traditional Dogon mask dance practices and the commercialization of tourism, particularly in Tireli village at the foot of Mali's Bandiagara Cliff. The research reveals how the 'dancing rights' associated with Dogon masks have become a contested arena, shaped by both cultural preservation and economic incentives introduced since the 1980s. By analyzing tourist interactions and mask performances, the study highlights the impact of globalization on indigenous traditions, contrasting them with earlier anthropological narratives that romanticized Dogon culture without addressing its evolving dynamics.
The role of earth shrines in the socio-symbolic construction of the Dogon territory: towards a philosophy of containment
Dogon earth shrines on the Bandiagara escarpment serve as symbolic boundaries that reinforce social cohesion and territorial identity. These shrines, activated through annual rituals involving millet and blood sacrifices, strengthen connections with deities, ancestors, and spirits while maintaining communal well-being and continuity. The study reveals that these material structures operate under an ontological principle of containment, protecting the village space and shaping a local cosmology amid environmental scarcity. By analyzing the efficacy and activation principles of earth shrines, the research demonstrates their role in generating social order and resilience in a challenging landscape.
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