Old Dogon compound built into the side of the rocky plateau. Sanga region, Mali

"The Dogon fleeing from Islamic persecution used the already existing houses which belonged to the Tellem and Andoumboulou. Once there was no longer a persistant threat to their safety the villages were moved to the foot of the rocky plateau where there were still well hidden. The position of the compound on this rocky belt between the highland area and the plain makes it easier to obain different materials for building purpose." [Spini T. and S., 1977: Togu Na. The African Dogon House of Men, House of Words. Rizzoli International Publications]. During his trip to Mali, Elisofon visited the Dogon people in Sanga (Sangha), a group of thirteen villages lying east of Bandiagara at the top of an escarpment. The most important villages are Ogol-du-Haut and Ogol-du-Bas. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for National Geographic and traveled to Africa from January 19, 1972 to mid April 1972.