Cliff Of Bandiagara, The Land Of Dogons

The site of distinguished and picturesque landscapes, featuring sandy plateaus and cliffs with some amazing masterpieces like granaries, beautiful houses, altars, Togu Na (meeting places) and sanctuaries is none other than the splendid Bandiagara Escarpment which is located in Mali.

Many antiquated social cultures live in this ancient place (feasts, masks, ceremonies and rituals). The ethnological, archaeological and geological interest blended with the charismatic surroundings make this plateau the gem of West Africa. It was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989 and has become one of the most alluring and charming tourist’s destinations of Africa that grabs the attention of so many people and compels them to take cheap flights to Mali for spending the quality time of their lives.

The Tellem were the actual dwellers of Bandiagara who used to reside in cliffs and slopes. There are a number of caves that were carved into the hills where they buried the dead away from the flash floods of the place. The Dogons owned this area in the 14^th century and scattered all over the escarpment, plains and plateaus of Seno-Gondo. The land of the Dogons covers an area of about 150 kilometres comprising a sandstone hill; atop with rugged plateau and a sandy land beneath. The plateau changes its height from 100-500 metres and is ragged by gorges, rocky paths and ravines. The sandstone cliffs extend from southern to north-eastern area by stretching towards Grandamia massif. The outer edge of the massif is overlooked by the highest peak of Mali called as Hombori Tondo with the elevation of about 1,115 metres.

This area is the most unique example of a cultural human settlement that represents the Dogon traditions which has made Bandiagara a must-see tourist’s spot. The complicated ritual association of the locals with the environment consist of the use of medicinal plants, curatives and the sacred-relationships with crocodiles, jackals and pale fox. This gigantic plateau is blanketed with the Sudanian savannah greenery and also provides shelter to a number of animal breeds including Gabar goshawk, fox-kestrel, scarlet-cheated sunbird, yellow-billed shrik, rock doves and abundant cliff chats.

There are a number of sacred sites that are reserved for shrines and are a source of great enthralment for the visiting people. Besides you will also be able to view one of the oldest mosques, the emblem of Islamic culture that spread here in 19^th century. From the peak of the escarpment you can have a bird’s eye view of the Dogon Family Compound which is located in Prague village and the site of a Dogon man, who just uses his muscles and expertise to climb very high above the ground, will certainly leave u in awe. The native guides love to take the visitor groups on an excursion along the village and the escarpment. A number of boarding and lodging facilities are available along the cliff side for the tourist’s convenience and comfort. The climate of Mali is subtropical and the best time to visit and to enjoy the holiday-time is from the month of November to March.