Land of the Dogon – World Heritage in Peril

Culture & Art, History 52' 2011 HD

The land of the Dogon is situated in the southeast of Mali. The region’s landscape is characterized by the spectacular Bandiagara escarpment; a sandstone cliff stretching from south to northeast over approximately 200 kilometers. The Dogon are best known for their religious traditions, their mask dances, wooden sculptures and their architecture. In 1989 UNESCO put both the natural and the cultural heritage of the Dogon on the World Heritage List. The past century has seen significant changes in the social organization, material culture and beliefs of the Dogon, not only because Dogon region is one of Mali's major tourist attractions. The documentary tells the dilemma of a splendid and important culture that struggles between adaptation to modernity and the preservation of their unique traditions. With stunning images and perceptive portraits of individual fates the film offers insights into the fascinating world of the Dogon.