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Bag or blanket? Variability and change in the interpretations of rock art motifs at Songo The first reports on rock art in the Dogon area mention the existence of indigenous knowledge regarding the significance of rock art motifs in the region. Desplagnes (1907) was told that motifs at the Songo circumcision site represent bags, animals, humans, devils, spirits, and tools. The significance of some motifs was said to be unknown. This information accords to a large degree with the more extensive interpretations published by Marcel Griaule in Masques Dogons (1938). Griaule lists bags used during the sigui, tools, weapons, dress items, spirits and animals - most prominently lizards - as being represented at Songo. However, according to Griaule, most motifs represent masks or mask dancers, showing a significant difference from the list provided by Desplagnes. | |
