Ogotemmeli

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ASC Leiden - W.E.A. van Beek Collection - Dogon tourism 04 - Inscription on a wall. The art dealer is the grandson of a famous Dogon, Sangha Mali, 1990

Ogotemmeli was a Dogon elder and spiritual leader from the Dogon Country in Mali. He is best known for his role in the transmission of Dogon cosmology and mythology to the outside world, particularly through his interactions with the French anthropologist Marcel Griaule.

Biography

Ogotemmeli was born in the early 20th century in the Dogon region of Mali. He was a respected elder and a key figure in the Dogon community. His deep knowledge of Dogon traditions, rituals, and cosmology made him an invaluable source of information for researchers.

Interaction with Marcel Griaule

In 1946, Ogotemmeli met Marcel Griaule, who was conducting extensive fieldwork among the Dogon people. Over the course of 33 days, Ogotemmeli shared with Griaule the intricate details of Dogon cosmology, including their creation myths, religious beliefs, and symbolic systems. This information was later published in Griaule's book, Conversations with Ogotemmêli, which brought international attention to Dogon culture.

Dogon Cosmology

Dogon cosmology, as explained by Ogotemmeli, is a complex system that includes the worship of Amma, the supreme god, and the reverence for the Nommo, ancestral spirits who are believed to have descended from the sky. The Dogon also have a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, which includes knowledge of the Sirius star system.

Legacy

Ogotemmeli's contributions to the understanding of Dogon culture have had a lasting impact on the fields of anthropology and ethnography. His teachings continue to be studied and respected by scholars and enthusiasts of African traditional religions.

See also

• Dogon people
• Dogon Country
• Marcel Griaule
• Dogon mythology
• African traditional religion

Further reading

• Conversations with Ogotemmêli by Marcel Griaule