GeographyGeography

DesertDesert

MountainsMountains

BandiagaraBandiagaraMali, West AfricaMali, West Africa

Tellem ruinsTellem ruins

Tsodilo HillsTsodilo Hills

World Heritage Site, World Heritage Site, famous for its famous for its Bushman rock art Bushman rock art estimated more estimated more than 5 000 than 5 000 individual paintings individual paintings of between 800 of between 800 and over 2 000 and over 2 000 years old. years old.

Giza PyramidGiza Pyramid

Nile RiverNile River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6gSBrqKpyo&feature=rehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6gSBrqKpyo&feature=relatedlated

Niger River, MaliNiger River, Mali Most of the country is desert; the Niger river Most of the country is desert; the Niger river

is its lifeblood. is its lifeblood.

After the rains have come, between June and After the rains have come, between June and September, the small tributaries of the river September, the small tributaries of the river Niger join to form larger rivers. Niger join to form larger rivers.

In the dry season, this evaporates into In the dry season, this evaporates into unconnected lakes and ponds, in which the unconnected lakes and ponds, in which the catfish that were spawned in the river catfish that were spawned in the river emerge. emerge.

The other lakes are fished the year round, The other lakes are fished the year round, but Antogo has a particular significance. but Antogo has a particular significance.

Legend has it that the lake was discovered in Legend has it that the lake was discovered in ancient times by a young girl from Bamba ancient times by a young girl from Bamba village. She told her sister in the neighboring village. She told her sister in the neighboring village of Yanda about the profusion of fish, village of Yanda about the profusion of fish, and her brother-in-law claimed the lake for and her brother-in-law claimed the lake for Yanda. Yanda.

But her father staked a claim on it too, and But her father staked a claim on it too, and tribal war broke out. Eventually her father tribal war broke out. Eventually her father and his fellow tribesmen won the battle, and and his fellow tribesmen won the battle, and even today only Bamba men can take part in even today only Bamba men can take part in the great fishing ceremony.the great fishing ceremony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lpsOFSKuLE&fehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lpsOFSKuLE&feature=relatedature=related

Zambezi RiverZambezi Riverhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbSxZV73AvUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbSxZV73AvU

Lake MalawiLake Malawihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVVKQDIkkks&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVVKQDIkkks&feature=related

Sahara DesertSahara Deserthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QRYtBeQo7Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QRYtBeQo7Q

Namib DesertNamib Deserthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y6TVCGr9rkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y6TVCGr9rk

Kalahari DesertKalahari Deserthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rOB2pJ2olkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rOB2pJ2olk

The word “The word “KalahariKalahari” comes from a Tswana word ” comes from a Tswana word meaning “the great thirst.” meaning “the great thirst.”

The The desertdesert, itself, covers 70% of Botswana and , itself, covers 70% of Botswana and extends south into South Africa, west into Namibia, and extends south into South Africa, west into Namibia, and north into Angola and Zambia. north into Angola and Zambia.   

More a semi—arid zone than a true More a semi—arid zone than a true desertdesert, one of the , one of the essential features of this region is a geological essential features of this region is a geological formation known as a "pan," a round mostly hard, gray formation known as a "pan," a round mostly hard, gray clay formation.clay formation.

Pans are hollow shallows which gleam in the sunlight Pans are hollow shallows which gleam in the sunlight from the salt in them; these salt deposits are important from the salt in them; these salt deposits are important to the animals in the area. to the animals in the area.

During the rainy season in March and April, large During the rainy season in March and April, large migrating herds of animals come for the water that migrating herds of animals come for the water that collects in the pans.collects in the pans.

During this rainy season, the Okavango delta, a During this rainy season, the Okavango delta, a significant wetland system north of the Kahalari, significant wetland system north of the Kahalari, attracts an incredible number of birds; including attracts an incredible number of birds; including cranes, egrets, herons, and a variety of raptors.cranes, egrets, herons, and a variety of raptors.

Kilimanjaro 19340 ft    Kilimanjaro 19340 ft    

Highest point in Africa Location: Highest point in Africa Location: Northern Tanzania, near KenyaNorthern Tanzania, near Kenya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig8Cf6tvEQk&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig8Cf6tvEQk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OLdRcHPpPMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OLdRcHPpPM

Mount KenyaMount Kenya     17058 ft     Highest point in     17058 ft     Highest point in

KenyaKenya . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxN1ChH-Y7M&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxN1ChH-Y7M&feature=related

To the local Kikuyu tribe, Mt. Kenya is To the local Kikuyu tribe, Mt. Kenya is the home of their God, Ngai, and the the home of their God, Ngai, and the location of their creation mythology. location of their creation mythology.

The Mt Kenya Forest is considered a The Mt Kenya Forest is considered a sacred area where medicinal plants sacred area where medicinal plants are grown and healing rituals are grown and healing rituals conducted.conducted.

Mount StanleyMount Stanley     16763 ft     Highest point in     16763 ft     Highest point in

Congo and UgandaCongo and Uganda

Mount CameroonMount Cameroon     (Mont Cameroun)(Mont Cameroun)     13435 ft     Highest point in Cameroon    13435 ft     Highest point in Cameroon . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMHJmZd5X98http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMHJmZd5X98

Pico del TeidePico del Teide     12198 ft        12198 ft    . . Location: Location: Tenerife in the Tenerife in the

Canary Islands, NW of AfricaCanary Islands, NW of Africahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEJF54fKHRIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEJF54fKHRI

Jebel ToubkalJebel Toubkal     13665 ft     Highest point in Morocco    13665 ft     Highest point in Morocco

Atlas Mountains, south of Marrakech, MoroccoAtlas Mountains, south of Marrakech, Morocco

Jebel SirouaJebel Siroua     10843 ft     10843 ft Between Atlas and Anti-Between Atlas and Anti-

Atlas Mountains, Atlas Mountains, south of Marrakech, Moroccosouth of Marrakech, Morocco

Lake VictoriaLake VictoriaIts Its originaloriginal namename was Nalubale was Nalubale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvrKUp7ymIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvrKUp7ymI

the cave, the paintings and the cave, the paintings and the surrounding area the surrounding area retain powers in the retain powers in the traditions of the Abasuba. traditions of the Abasuba.

The Wasamo clan, who live The Wasamo clan, who live around the cave, are the around the cave, are the rain makers of the rain makers of the Abasuba, and the elders Abasuba, and the elders agree that the paintings agree that the paintings have been used for rain have been used for rain making ceremonies, with making ceremonies, with the red paintings the red paintings representing the moon and representing the moon and the white ones the white ones representing the sun. representing the sun.

Giza PyramidGiza Pyramidhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X7h5h-oy6Uhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X7h5h-oy6U

Tsodilo HillsTsodilo Hills

World Heritage Site, World Heritage Site, famous for its famous for its Bushman rock art Bushman rock art estimated more estimated more than 5 000 than 5 000 individual paintings individual paintings of between 800 of between 800 and over 2 000 and over 2 000 years old. years old.

BandiagaraBandiagaraMali, West AfricaMali, West Africa

Tellem ruinsTellem ruins

Bandiagara Escarpment Bandiagara Escarpment (Cliffs of Bandiagara) (Cliffs of Bandiagara)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_irEmwHichttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_irEmwHic

Cliff of Bandiagara Cliff of Bandiagara

The Dogon of Bandiagara in The Dogon of Bandiagara in Mali, West Africa. Mali, West Africa.

the Toloy culture of the 3rd to 2nd centuries the Toloy culture of the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC, and the Tellem culture of the 11th to BC, and the Tellem culture of the 11th to 15th centuries AD were early inhabitants15th centuries AD were early inhabitants

Dogon religion is defined primarily through Dogon religion is defined primarily through the worship of the ancestors and the spirits the worship of the ancestors and the spirits called Nommocalled Nommo

There are three principal religious societies There are three principal religious societies among the Dogon; the Awa, Lebe and Binu among the Dogon; the Awa, Lebe and Binu

The Awa is associated The Awa is associated with the spiritual realm with the spiritual realm whose purpose is to whose purpose is to reorder the spiritual forces reorder the spiritual forces disturbed by the death of disturbed by the death of Nommo, a mythological Nommo, a mythological ancestor of the Dogon.ancestor of the Dogon.

The awa dance with ornate The awa dance with ornate carved and painted masks carved and painted masks during both funeral and during both funeral and death anniversary death anniversary ceremonies. ceremonies.

There are 78 different There are 78 different types of ritual masks types of ritual masks among the Dogon focus among the Dogon focus on religion and on religion and philosophy. philosophy.

The society of Lebe, The society of Lebe, the Earth God, is the Earth God, is primarily concerned primarily concerned with the agricultural with the agricultural cycle and its chief cycle and its chief priest is called a priest is called a Hogon. Hogon.

All Dogon villages All Dogon villages have a Lebe shrine have a Lebe shrine whose altars have bits whose altars have bits of earth incorporated of earth incorporated into them to into them to encourage the encourage the continued fertility of continued fertility of the land. the land.

The god Lebe visits the hogons every The god Lebe visits the hogons every night in the form of a serpent and night in the form of a serpent and licks their skins in order to purify licks their skins in order to purify them and infuse them with life force. them and infuse them with life force.

The hogons are responsible for The hogons are responsible for guarding the purity of the soil and guarding the purity of the soil and therefore officiate at many therefore officiate at many agricultural ceremonies. agricultural ceremonies.

The society of Binu is a totemic The society of Binu is a totemic practice and it has complex practice and it has complex associations with the Dogon's sacred associations with the Dogon's sacred places used for ancestor worship, places used for ancestor worship, spirit communication and agricultural spirit communication and agricultural sacrifices. sacrifices.

major Dogon sacred sites are related major Dogon sacred sites are related to episodes in the Dogon myth of the to episodes in the Dogon myth of the creation of the world, in particular to creation of the world, in particular to a deity named Nommo. a deity named Nommo.

Binu ShrineBinu Shrine Binu shrines house Binu shrines house

spirits of mythic spirits of mythic ancestors who lived in ancestors who lived in the legendary era the legendary era before the appearance before the appearance of death among of death among mankind.mankind.

Binu spirits often make Binu spirits often make themselves known to themselves known to their descendants in the their descendants in the form of an animal that form of an animal that interceded on behalf of interceded on behalf of the clan during its the clan during its founding or migration, founding or migration, thus becoming the thus becoming the clan's totem. clan's totem.

The priests of each Binu maintain the shrine. The priests of each Binu maintain the shrine. Sacrifices of blood and millet porridge the Sacrifices of blood and millet porridge the

primary crop of the Dogon are made at the primary crop of the Dogon are made at the Binu shrines at sowing time and whenever Binu shrines at sowing time and whenever the intercession of the immortal ancestor is the intercession of the immortal ancestor is desired. desired.

Through such rituals, the Dogon believe that Through such rituals, the Dogon believe that the benevolent force of the ancestor is the benevolent force of the ancestor is transmitted to them. transmitted to them.

diviner draws a questions in the sand for the sacred fox to diviner draws a questions in the sand for the sacred fox to answeranswer

The Dogon people believe the fox has supernatural powers. The Dogon people believe the fox has supernatural powers. The Dogon may ask questions and n the morning, the diviner The Dogon may ask questions and n the morning, the diviner will read the fox prints on the sand and make interpretations. will read the fox prints on the sand and make interpretations.

Astronomy Astronomy

The Dogon are famous for their The Dogon are famous for their astronomical knowledge taught astronomical knowledge taught through oral tradition, dating back through oral tradition, dating back thousands of years, referencing the thousands of years, referencing the star system, Sirius, the dog star.star system, Sirius, the dog star.

Their oral traditions say this Their oral traditions say this knowledge was given to them by the knowledge was given to them by the Nommo. Nommo.

The Dogon priests claimed that Sirius had The Dogon priests claimed that Sirius had a companion star that was invisible to the a companion star that was invisible to the human eye.human eye.

They also stated that the star moved in a They also stated that the star moved in a 50-year elliptical orbit around Sirius, that it 50-year elliptical orbit around Sirius, that it was small and incredibly heavy, and that it was small and incredibly heavy, and that it rotated on its axis. rotated on its axis.

This was verified in 1862 by Alvan Clark This was verified in 1862 by Alvan Clark who “discovered” the second star making who “discovered” the second star making Sirius a binary star system (two stars). Sirius a binary star system (two stars).

The earliest Egyptians believed Sirius - The earliest Egyptians believed Sirius - 'Sothis' - was the home of souls that have 'Sothis' - was the home of souls that have crossed over. It is the brightest star in our crossed over. It is the brightest star in our night sky. This belief is also shared with the night sky. This belief is also shared with the Dogon. Dogon.

The Dogons have described perfectly the The Dogons have described perfectly the DNA patternDNA pattern made by an elliptical orbit made by an elliptical orbit created by the two stars of Sirius as they created by the two stars of Sirius as they rotate make around each other. They rotate make around each other. They believe Sirius to be the axis of the universe, believe Sirius to be the axis of the universe, and from it all matter and all souls are and from it all matter and all souls are produced in a great spiral motion. produced in a great spiral motion.