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Mali was originally a French colony. But now, the country has been shaken by a rebellion in the north. As you can see, it's a very violent time.

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The Sahel is the location of the famous civilization of Timbuktu. It was a center for trading salt, gold, ivory, and of course, slaves. It was that kind of world.

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...the Sahel is recovering with drip irrigation systems and new farming techniques.

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Over the course of 20 years, a severe famine and drought devastated the Sahel. However...

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This tribe is not the focus of this Wall. However, these people deserve an honorable mention. They are predominately Muslim tribes with elaborate clothes. Just look at it!

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The Hogon's house is located at the head of the village, which is shaped like a human body.

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The village is led by a Hogon, who is a ruler and also a spiritual leader of the tribe.

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This is a sample of a couple languages Ethiopia and Mali share.

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Part of a series of short videos based on a trip through Ethiopia, Mali and Ghana in late 2011, early 2012. All still photographs are the work of my travel partner, Yosee Gamzooletova. Music by Daasebre Gyamenah- Wo Da Enda

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It's not your normal cattle. This is a zebu, a distant relative of a regular milk-producing, non-enviromentally-friendly, delicious farm cows. Speaking of which, what's that thing on it's back?

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Today, the religious ceremonies of The Dogon are usually performed for tourists trying to look into the Dogon culture. It's a very sad thing. But here's an old picture of a real Dogon ceremony.

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The Dogon boys are taught to be warriors or tribal dancers in many different tribal ceremonies

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There's not really much of an education here. But you do have the education of circumcision at the age of 12. Ow.

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The most notable thing about the clothing is the mask used in most religious rituals. Obviously, the Kanaga mask is the creepiest. Maybe the Sirige mask ties for it. If I am being culturally insensitive, I apologize.

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Culture - A Monty Python Sketch about Freemason architects.

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Culture - A Monty Python Sketch about Freemason architects.

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It's hilarious.

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Monty Python and the Freemasons - The Architect Sketch

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Hilarious Monty Python sendup of the Freemasons, their ridiculous secrecy and less than savory business and career preferment practices. http://freemasonrywatch.org

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Scholars have struggled to classify the Dogon's language. It is an anomaly among languages. Just look at it.

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I wouldn't even say the Dogon have a real economy. But they do have barter market.

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You might be wondering why I put the Freemason Insignia. Well, the Dogon is focused on male secret societies. The Freemasons are a fraternal and semi-religious society. I don't have any clean pictures that could give you a better idea, so here's the insignia. Also, there's a Monty Python skit here that is parodying the Freemasons

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The Dogon's masks are an important part of their religious ceremonies, including the dama, which is a funeral masquerade.

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The most common mammals found in the Sahel. Isn't it cute?

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The Dogon are a native tribe of the Sahel. They are known for their scary masks. They are our focus of this Wall.