Tellem Dwellings
Of all the marvels of Mali, perhaps the most breathtaking are the Tellem dwellings along the Bandiagara Escarpment. The Tellem are a people who preceded the Dogon as residents of the Bandiagara cliffs, living in the area from 11th through the 15th century AD. The earliest known dwellers of these cliffs, however, were the Toloy who lived here from the 3rd to 2nd century BCE.
It is unknown what became of the Tellem, but their population was devastated by the 15th to 16th century. The Dogon moved into the area around this time and assimilated much of the art and perhaps the remains of the society and population of the Tellem. In fact, Tellem is a Dogon word meaning "we found them".
Art historians consider Dogon art to have been greatly influenced by the Tellem, especially in the form of their woodcarvings. This area was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status based on the Tellem dwellings and the Dogon culture with its ancient traditions and rituals, art culture and folklore.
Irilli, Mali
Tellem Dwellings
Of all the marvels of Mali, perhaps the most breathtaking are the Tellem dwellings along the Bandiagara Escarpment. The Tellem are a people who preceded the Dogon as residents of the Bandiagara cliffs, living in the area from 11th through the 15th century AD. The earliest known dwellers of these cliffs, however, were the Toloy who lived here from the 3rd to 2nd century BCE.
It is unknown what became of the Tellem, but their population was devastated by the 15th to 16th century. The Dogon moved into the area around this time and assimilated much of the art and perhaps the remains of the society and population of the Tellem. In fact, Tellem is a Dogon word meaning "we found them".
Art historians consider Dogon art to have been greatly influenced by the Tellem, especially in the form of their woodcarvings. This area was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status based on the Tellem dwellings and the Dogon culture with its ancient traditions and rituals, art culture and folklore.
Irilli, Mali