Figure - man

Every Dogon boy must undergo an initiation during which he is circumcised to become a real man. It is a symbolic transition from childhood to adulthood. In the Dogon, the ritual is a consequence of the mythical times in which all people were born in pairs because only twin births guaranteed the perfection of the individuals appearing in the world. Everyone has an element of the opposite sex: in boys, it is the foreskin, and in girls, the clitoris. A boy must get rid of his female element to become a fully-fledged man.Initiation is also a factor in group integration. Solid bonds, similar to brotherhood, are formed between boys who undergo circumcision together. They form their own age group (tumo), to which they are bound until death. During the initiation to adulthood, young men gain certain rights and duties, which are initiated by representatives of the receiving group, i.e. adults. The rituals are surrounded by an aura of mystery and have a sacral character. The Dogon have many expressions for circumcising boys: araanonmu (drinking slurry), owugoongu (moving away from the village), ponu kunu (putting on trousers), kegenrenkunu (putting on a plaster). Circumcision is organised every three to four years and boys aged 6-15 undergo the procedure. The initiation period is also a time of trial for young men, who must submit to their elders and behave with seriousness and restraint. Any disobedience towards the Dogon sages sharing their knowledge with the youth is severely punished.

Ewa Prądzyńska