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Our Journy across the l'Air mountians of northern Niger. My friend Mohamed
and his beautiful white camel lead the way through this inhospitable desert. |
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The great Dogon dancer leads the others in a funeral rite early one morning.
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The young men of a small village in Northern Mali sway to the rhythmic
beat of the drummers. This traditional dance for the deceased has carried
on for hundreds of years. |
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The youngest member of a small nomadic faimly rests peacefully under the
shade of a large palm tree. His bed of soft sand is a dried up river bed
in the l'Air Mountians of Northern Niger. |
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In the heat of the day with the temperatures hovering around 128 degrees
we sought refuge under this open shelter. Our host seated second from left
offered us cold water and good conversation. |
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The dry Hamarton winds warm this young girl's face as she gathers water
at the family well. |
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Mohamed readies our camels for our long journey ahead. |
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This old abandoned cliff dwelling dates back to the fifteenth century.
The Dogon lived under the cliff overhangs to shelter them from harsh sun
and rain while providing safety from invaders. Made of mud, clay, logs
and rocks, these structures still remain intact. |
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The Dogon began their funerary dance on the roof of an elders hut. The Men
seemed to be in a trance like state as they celebrated the elders journey
into the afterlife. |
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The Dogon of Mali are excellent horsemen, having defended their families
for centuries. Both rider and horse were adorned in their finest. |
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