"DOGON" Yougopiri by F_Meignant

Yougopiri Travel Guide: 22 reviews and 49 photos

Geography and History

The Dogon Country is made of 5 main regions : the Plateau, a very rocky and wild area ; the Cliffs and its mass of fallen rocks, which is the most famous part ; the Plain, where are the gardens and wells; the Dune, made of ochre sand; and then the Bush where the cattle stands.

The main villages are the famous Bandiagara, Sangha, Bankass in the Plain and, historically, Yougo.
This last village is where the masks start from for the major Dogon feast, the Sigui, that takes place every 60 years and lasts 7 years. Next Sigui will take place in 2027. Be ready to go… if you’re still alive…!

The village of Yougo is divided in 3 areas: Yougo-piri on the North side of the Yougo mountain; Yougo-dougourou on the South side; and Yougo-na in the plain below.

One peculiarity of Dogon: the name has no plural. Dogon are 350 000 and constitute an entity.

Crocodiles in the sacred pond of Amani.

The origin of the Dogon is still uncertain. They came from the North-West across the Niger River. A legend says that they crossed the large river on crocodiles’ backs. Since that time; crocodiles are sacred for the Dogon and some of them still live in ponds here and there. In the reality, they probably crossed the river with the help of Bozos… on long pirogues looking like crocodiles.
Dogon and Bozos consider themselves as brothers. A proverb says that a Bozo is at home in a Dogon village and vice-versa. And a rule says that they must never fight.

Tellem houses in the Fault of Yougo-dougourou.

The Dogon arrived in the XIIIth century. According to the legend, they were pushed by warriors on horses. These warriors were probably Fulani who were promoting Islam in the region while the Dogon were Animists and initially refused Islam.
The Dogon found a shelter in the cliffs. Here, they met another people who was living there since the XIth century: the Tellems.
Dogon and Tellems cohabited at least 2 centuries. Then, the Tellems disappeared mysteriously… According to Dogon, they left the region, went South and became the Pygmies. According to some historians, they were exterminated by the Songhaïs in the XVIth century. According to others, they were simply absorbed by the Dogon population.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Landscape, culture, people...
Cons:Maybe warmth...
In a nutshell:Magical.

Last visit to Yougopiri: Jan 2003
Intro Written Oct 29, 2003
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Reviews (25)

Shower at Nombori, but could be everywhere else. - Yougopiri

Toilets... Warnings and Dangers (5)

Sorry for the face on the picture: trying not to breathe… You never have to ask where are the toilets… Just follow the... more travel advice

Sauces... Warnings and Dangers (5)

Dogon use strange sauces made of strange things… Dried leaves of baobab for example. If you are courageous, try the “ Da... more travel advice

Coming down from the "bedroom" at Beniouma. - Yougopiri

Stairs... Warnings and Dangers (5)

Dogon stairs are quite unusual, at least for Occidental legs… They are just cut in trunks and are seldom steady. They... more travel advice

Cliffs. Warnings and Dangers (5)

The paths sometimes follow the top of very impressive cliffs. Be prudent: you are not like the Tellems who were supposed... more travel advice

Things to Do (6)
See All Fascinating baobabs...
Hotels (5)
See All When I mean basic...
Restaurants (2)
See All For a tea...

Transportation (3)
See All Guide.
Local Customs (4)
See All Huntsmen again...
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Comments (6)

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GillianMcLaughlin Mar 31, 2004 at 9:32 AM

Salut Francois... j'ai adore cette page! Quel voyage fascinant!
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Ivan_Jimenez Mar 10, 2004 at 11:56 AM

Tourists... always trying to save pennies in the really important things and then wasting it on stupid souvenirs. ..
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cadzand Jan 22, 2004 at 1:55 PM

Wonderful impressions of a wonderful people and their habits. You made me dream away...... and feeling "homesick"
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ATLC Dec 13, 2003 at 8:07 AM

Truly an amazing page. I think this is the most exotic I have read so far on VT.
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kenHuocj Dec 12, 2003 at 3:44 AM

your "magical & warm interpretation " of a hidden treasure is worth more than ten Kerr & Downey luxury all inclusive holidays ;-))) Salut !!!
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titti Oct 30, 2003 at 12:42 PM

Your pics and words add magic to my memories...Great!