Treasures of the World

Mali’s Dogon tribe fled onto the inhospitable, barren Bandiagara Plateau in Mali’s Mopti region more than 800 years ago to avoid forcible conversion to Islam. Protected by its rocks, cliffs and gorges, they have preserved their original, animistic culture to this day. Centuries-old buildings, granaries, altars and sanctuaries are witness to the Dogons’ outstanding cultural achievements. They build their houses from clay and their own legends say they are also made of clay themselves. Their god-creator Amma formed man from small balls of mud that were baked black by the sweltering African heat, which is why the Dogon proudly call themselves "Children of the Sun.”