Source: Africa: "Love in the Sahel"
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The Dama is the rite of passage for the men of the Dogon tribe. Conditions must be just right before a Dama can take place, and in the village of Tireli, in Mali, it is the responsibility of the oldest man in the village, the revered "Keeper of the Masks," to determine the timing of the Dama. In this video segment from the series Africa, young men in Tireli feel suspended between boyhood and manhood because there has not been a Dama in the village in 20 years. There is a conflict. A spirit told the village fortune teller that the next Dama would herald the village elder's death, and so the old man believes that if he organizes a Dama he will die.
Download and ShareThe following Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions are best suited for middle school students using this video in an English language arts or social studies lesson. Be sure to modify the questions to meet your students' instructional needs.
What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?
Frame (ELA) Do you ramble or include information that is not relevant when telling a story or a joke? Do you know someone who does this? Sometimes you can’t figure out the story because there are too many details that are irrelevant, while information that is important to know is left out. Describe an experience you've had that is similar.
Focus (ELA) There are many details and ideas presented in the story of the Dama and the Dogon. Listen carefully and determine what information is irrelevant. Also, make a note of what information you still don’t understand. What questions does the story leave you with?
Follow Up (ELA) Discuss the main idea of the story. Then discuss what information presented in the video was irrelevant to understanding the main idea. Do youthink there was information missing? Why do you think that? Based upon the information present, how would you organize the elements of the story you consider relevant to tell a better rite of passage story?
Frame (SS) Sometimes books or movies are labeled as rite of passage stories. What is a rite of passage? What books or movies do you know that are about a character completing some task or ritual to show the character has grown up?
Focus (SS) In the video, determine what the Dogon’s rite of passage is and why it is so important to them.
Follow Up (SS) Discuss the village Dama. Compare it to rites of passage in your own culture. What tasks or rituals are young people (men and women) expected to perform to show they are growing up?
NARRATOR: In the village of Komokan preparations are underway for a rare event - the village Dama. Damas can be held only after a good harvest and in this environment, that doesn’t happen very often. The Dama is more than a harvest celebration - it is the door to Dogon manhood. The Dama is also feared as it can usher the old across the threshold of
death. Before a Dama can take place, conditions must be just right - sacrifices are needed to purify the village. To wear a mask and dance at a Dama is what every boy lives for. If there is no Dama, young men remain suspended between boyhood and manhood. Such is the case in the neighboring village of Tireli. Atime Dogolo Saye is twenty-nine, but can’t yet consider himself a man.
ATIME: If you’re not initiated you are not a whole man. You’re thought to be a bit like a woman. That’s why the Dama is so important to us. For the moment, the closest Atime will get to a Dama is grinding the millet for the beer that will be drunk in the village of Komokan... at their celebration. Why is there no Dama in Tireli? Because my grandfather hasn’t organized one. He’s scared, that’s why we don’t have a Dama in Tireli.
NARRATOR: Atime’s Grandfather is the oldest man in the village, the revered “Keeper of the Masks”. In the village meeting place, he holds court. It’s his responsibility to determine the timing of the Dama... but there’s a conflict.
Some years ago, a spirit told the village fortune teller that the next Dama would heraldthe grandfather’s death.
ATIME: If he organises a Dama he will die. That’s what the fox told him. He risks death so he doesn’t want to have a Dama. It’s a great shame for us.
NARRATOR: The last Dama in Tireli was twenty years ago. In neighbouring Komakan, the whirring song of the bullroarer announces that the day of initiation is here.
MAN: Thanks to the old men the Dama is coming. We’ve saved money and millet for this moment. I’m so happy my liver is pure.
ATIME: Old Man, can we ask the fox how many years until I am a man?
SHAMAN: Yes we can ask.
NARRATOR: The old man is the village shaman, and the spirit who predicts the future through him, is the Pale Fox.
SHAMAN: I have been doing this for thirty rainy seasons. I inherited it from my father. And when I die, I will pass on the gift to my children. This is what we’re asking him tonight. The fox always tells the truth. God taught him to do this.
NARRATOR: The final touch is a handful of groundnuts to tempt the spirit. Atime may be disappointed. More than ever, the pale fox is becoming an elusive spirit.
SHAMAN: The fox is rare these days. The young don’t respect them, they even snare them in the bush. Pale Foxes emerge in the cool of the night. The fox used to talk but he lost his powers. These days he speaks to us through his tracks.
NARRATOR: Looks like Atime may have his answer.
ATIME: My heart’s pounding, I want a good result...from the old man. It is such a problem for me. Greetings, greetings.How are you? How’s your wife? Your children, your family?
SHAMAN: Make yourself comfortable.
ATIME: Have you got news from the fox? Is it good or bad?
SHAMAN: There’s going to be a huge Dama, you’ll be one of thousands. Everyone will be pure at heart.
ATIME: Oh, thank you, thanks so much.
SHAMAN: The fox is on your side.
ATIME: Before I got here my heart was really pumping. Now I’ve got the reply I’m really content.
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