Conservation Toloy Project Proposal

Home , Bandiagara, Bandiagara Escarpment, Dogon country, Mopti, Mopti Cercle, Toloy

CONSERVATION TOLOY PROJECT PROPOSAL

ASSOCIATION DOGON INITIATIVE (ADI) IN COLLABORATION WITH FOUNDATION DOGON EDUCATION (SDO) JUNE 2015 CONSERVATION TOLOY

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name of the organization Foundation Dogon Education Postal address Herengracht 408, 1017 BX Amsterdam Country The Netherlands Telephone 0031 20 6735762 Fax 0031 20 6620931 Email [email protected] Type of organization foundation Profile of organization Education is the focal point of FDE to improve the quality of life of the Dogon in Mali. The opportunity to learn is the basis of sustainable development. The local population is actively participating in the building process. Exchange and transfer of know- how is regarded as the most important building block for the future. Website organization www.dogononderwijs.nl Name of contact person Jurriaan van Stigt (SDO) Name of other persons involved Association Dogon Initiative (ADI) Amatigue Dara (ADI) TABLE OF CONTENTS

Project information 5 Introduction to the heritage 6

A. Site information 1.1 Description of the heritage 8 1.2 Cultural value 10

B. Site potential 2.1 Significance of the heritage 12 2.2 Description of disaster that caused damage to the heritage 14 2.3 Urgency of the situation 16

C. Project proposal 3.1 Description of the damages to the heritage 20 3.2 Activities proposed for safeguarding the heritage 39 3.3 Conservation plan 40 3.4 Expected time-frame for realizing the proposed activities 44 3.5 Follow-up of complete restoration 45 3.6 How the future maintenance of the site is secured and expected outcome 46

Additional information 47 Bibliography 49

PROJECT INFORMATION

Name Conservation Toloy _ Toloy Cave A Location Pégué, Cliff of Bandiagara, Sangha Region, Mali, Africa GPS coordinates 14,453541 ; -3,299510

SÉVARÉ MOPTI SANGA

PEGUÉ BANDIAGARA

Fig. 1 - Map of the Dogon Country: location of Pégué _ Toloy Cave

5 INTRODUCTION TO THE HERITAGE

Located in the center of the Republic visits to the Dogon villages. Nowadays Dogon and the Tellem in the same area of Mali, on the southern border of the Sangha is the starting point for the (Bedaux 2004). Recent research in the Sahara, the Dogon country has been groups of tourists that want to go to the Dogon area and new C-14 dates revealed included on the UNESCO World Herit- surrounding villages, since it offers tour- that Toloy coiled clay buildings were age List since 1989. It was inscribed as ist accommodation and guide service made from the V century BC up to the a cultural and natural site on the basis (Dainese, 2012). VI century AD (Mayor et alii, 2014). The of criteria V and VII, and is one of the This application relates specifically to arrival of the first Tellem in the area largest mixed sites inscribed in the World the conservation of a group of around has to be dated in the XI-XII century AD Heritage List of UNESCO. It extends over 30 small buildings situated near Pegué, (Bedaux, 1972). 4,000 km² and, as such, is an area where between Sangha and Ireli. The site is These buildings are the oldest cultural around 500.000 people are living in 289 situated in a rock shelter designated remains in the Sangha region. Moreover, villages. Among them, Sangha is one of as “Cave A” by the Dutch researchers the Toloy Cave yielded abundant ar- the most important central villages in in 1964, but called “Toloy Cave” by the chaeological material dispersed around the Dogon area due to its size. It consists locals. These constructions were used as the entire cave. It was re-used several of a conglomeration of scattered ham- granaries, but later on they were re-used times and contain a mixture of several lets and it is divided in two parts: Sanga- as tombs. By taking samples from the chronological phases which shows the du-bas, formed by the villages Djammani walls, these coiled clay buildings were sociocultural dynamics of the last 25 Nah, Djammani Gouradou, Bongo, date between the V and II century BC centuries in the Dogon country. The Gogoli, and Sanga-du-haut, formed by (Bedaux, 1972). This cultural phase re- ethno-archaeological researches, carried Ogol Dah, Ogol Leye, Sangui, Enguele, ceived the name of “Toloy”, the so called out from 1964 until today, show us a Dini, Bini, Barou Kou and Barou Nah. pre-Dogon period. sociocultural and economic complexity, Sangha is also the village where many According to the verbal tradition, the where human occupation was already important investigations into the Dogon cave was used and occupied by the present in this area from the post-Ne- culture were carried out. In the thirties, ‘Tellem’, which abandoned it before the olithic period (Mayor et alii, 2005). the area of Sangha became the outpost arrival of the Dogon (Griaule, 1938). Therefore, the Toloy cave is not only of of the French professor Marcel Griaule The Dogon considered the Tellem not as outstanding importance for the history and later on of the ‘Griaule school’. The their ancestors, but according to some of the Dogon area, but also for the histo- ethnographers built a permanent camp, tales, as supernatural beings who were ry of African architecture, as it contains from which they visited nearby villages able to make ropes stand vertically in the oldest known architectural remains for more than 60 years. In the sixties, the air for reaching their caves. What of clay architecture south of the Sahara. this region became also the focal point the Tellem left, the Dogon considered Therefore, the main goal is to preserve for some Dutch architects, like Herman as their heritage (Bedaux, 1977). After the special architectural, cultural and Haan, Aldo van Eyck, and Joop van Stigt, many years of research, today we cannot historical value of the Unesco heritage of where they stayed and departed for exclude a period of cohabitation of the the Toloy.

Fig. 2 - The site is located near Pégué in a valley parallel to the Bandiagara Escarpment [photo: 1975]

6 SANGUI DJAMMANI NAH Technical Lyceum

DJAMMANI GOURADOU

BONGO BARNA OGOL LEYE DINI OGOL DAH GOGOLI

BAROU BINI

TOLOY CAVE

Fig. 3 - Location of the Toloy Cave in relation to the surrounding villages [Google Map, 2015]

7 A. SITE INFORMATION

1.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE HERITAGE

The site is located near Pegué in a valley 50 meters wide starting near Sangha and running parallel to the Bandiagara Escarpment. On the steep walls of the sandstone plateau, it is possible to find a group of shallow caves of ± 200 m in length. These caves owe their existence to the infiltration of water into the sandstone that has expanded horizontal gaps (Bedaux, 1972). The main one of these rock shelters is the Toloy Cave (cave A), which is 43 m long and 13 m wide. The maximum height is 4 m. This cave is easily accessible by a rock situated at its entrance and it contains many coiled clay buildings and varied archaeological material.

Sangha Toloy Cave Bini

Escarpment valley

Pégué Toulou

Pégué Na

Plain of Gondo

Fig. 4 - Location of the Toloy Cave [from the drawing of Herman Haan, 1965]

8 Fig. 5 - View of the Toloy Cave and the circular constructions built with coiled clay [photo: 2013]

Fig. 6 - View of the Toloy Cave accessible by a rock situated at its entrance [photo: 2013]

9 Fig. 7 - Situation in 1964 [Herman Haan, 1964]

Fig. 8 - Situation in 1981

1.2 CULTURAL VALUE

The construction techniques of these settlements into the landscape. In fact, Some of the structures are characterized circular coiled clay buildings of Toloy is the architecture has been adapted to by spindle-shaped clay coils with finger- unique and incredibly old. In fact, the benefit from the physical constraints of prints, while others show a wide circular Dogon and pre-Dogon architecture is well the place (Unesco, 1989). clay coils. known for its unique earthen architec- The typology of architectural techniques These buildings are the oldest cultural ture, which shows the traces of a deep used in the construction indicates a remains not only in Sangha region, but rooting of the population in its territory strong cultural identity and, in the same also in sub-Saharan West Africa. In fact, and an harmonious integration of human time, an evolution of local traditions. anthropological and archeological re-

10 Fig. 9 - Situation in 2014

Fig. 10 - Situation in 2015

searches were undertaken from 1964 to This means that the pre-Dogon popula- secondary dunes and rock shelters, also 2015 exactly in the Toloy Cave in ques- tions, on the edge of the political-eco- constitutes a natural area of exceptional tion. Through analysis, the researchers nomic sphere of the Ghana Empire, have beauty with an impressive geological have proved that these human settle- actually participated in the West African features. For all these reasons, the Toloy ment, characterized by social and cultural socio-economics dynamics, as the mate- Cave is part of the UNESCO World Herit- complexity, were present in this area rial and objects found in the cave show. age and it needs to be protected for its since the last 3000 years (Mayor et alii, To conclude, the cliff of Bandiagara, Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and 2005). characterized by a presence of caves, for its role within the local community.

11 B. SITE POTENTIAL

2.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HERITAGE

The Dogon became known to the western culture in 1907, when the first monograph of the lieutenant Louis Desplagnes “Le plateau central nigérien” was published in Paris. We owe our actual knowledge about the Dogon to French ethnologists, especially to Griaule, who in 1931 with the Mission Dakar-Djibouti inaugurated the era of the field research in the Dogon Country. The importance to protect this heritage is primarily for the local community and the survival of its historical and cultural values. This cultural heritage reflects the history and the identity of the Dogon, linking their past with their present and future. The preservation of these traditional constructions and handcraft techniques is significant also for its outstanding Fig. 11 - Members of the Mission Dakar-Djibouti, in the middle Marcel Griaule universal value. In fact, in the last 20 [image: 1933] years this area became the focal point for tourists. Cultural tourism provides income and supports the local economy, encouraging the local community to preserve their heritage. It is also important to underline that in the sixties, the Dogon became also the focal point for some Dutch architects, like Herman Haan, Aldo van Eyck, and Joop van Stigt. The study of the Dogon played an unexpectedly important role for the development of the Dutch post war architectural thinking. It started with the Dutch architect Herman Haan who visited Mali in the nineteen fifties. Many Dutch who followed the footstep of Haan (such as Aldo van Eyck, artists Appel and Corneille, the poet Lucebert) were intrigued by the connection be- Fig. 12 - Cover of the second issue of Fig. 13 - Summary of the second issue of Minotaure dedicated to the Mission Minotaure dedicated to the Mission Dakar-Djbouti [image: 1933] Dakar-Djbouti [image: 1933]

Fig. 14 - Map of the routeof the Mission Dakar-Djibouti, in the middle Marcel Griaule [image: 1933]

12 tween men, culture and nature. Inter- nationally this led to the formation of Team X and Netherlands architects came together in the Forum group. The profound interest in the Dogon resulted in numerous publications in the architectural journal Forum. In 1959 the magazine published “The story of another thought”, marking the beginning of a new idea, where humanism stood in the center of interest (Van Eyck, 1959). It was clearly a critique of the bureau- cratic dehumanizing design practice in housing and urban design at that time. The Dogon, seeing each building as part of the village and the village as the body of the community, provided a prototype for community space and for a holistic approach to the environment. This is what the Dogon are still teaching us. Fig. 15 - Herman Haan designed an aluminium globular cage connected with meters of cable to be able to visit the caves, which were difficult to access [photo: 1962]

Fig. 16 - Cover of the Forum n.7, 1959 [image: 1959]

Fig. 17 - View of a Dogon village and the Bandiagara Clift [Aldo van Eyck archive]

13 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF DISASTER THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HERITAGE

The Toloy Cave, as part of the UNESCO Heritage, is in danger due to many reasons. Many buildings have collapsed and we can only see traces of their presence. In fact, clay architecture is very vulnerable and regular maintenance is essential. The last two years these coiled clay buildings are more damaged that normal due to:

1) Act of vandalism: it is evident that some entire buildings were intentionally demolished. Investigations are taking place to find out who caused the damage to the heritage.

2) Insufficient site management system: it causes illicit traffic of cultural property and deliberated destruction of heritage.

3) Lack of financial resources:the prices of the construction materials have risen and revenues of tourism are gone, because of the turmoil of the rebellion in the North of Mali.

4) Changes in identity, social cohesion and local population and community: it is described in the document “State of Conservation”(SOC_ 38COM7B.60) by the World Heritage Committee in 2014 (see in Additional document). Fig. 18 - View of totally demolished buildings [photo: 2015]

Fig. 19 - View of demolished buildings with their broken pieces on the ground [photo: 2015]

14 Fig. 20 - View of the broken pieces on the ground [photo: 2015] Fig. 18 - View of damaged buildings [photo: 2015]

Fig. 21 - View of damaged and demolished buildings [photo: 2015]

15 2.3 URGENCY OF THE SITUATION

The need to repair and restore this her- Urgency for the stability of the heritage: itage is urgent, since already there are possibly irreparable damages. 1) Mud architecture requires mainte- 2) Local knowledge of traditional con- Almost half of the buildings are dam- nance, in particular when the use of it struction techniques can be transferred aged and some are completely de- is discontinued. Earthen constructions by some elderly people from the village. stroyed. Unless action is taken, this represent the majority of the architec- The need to transfer traditional con- heritage of the humanity will disappear tural heritage in Mali and it is important struction methods to young profession- soon. to protect earthen buildings and the als is urgent, since many of the reposi- intangible social and cultural values tories of the traditional knowledge are associated with it. craftsmen advanced in age. Training opportunities can ensure that this traditional know-how is transferred to from the older to the younger generations.

Fig. 22 - Situation of the Toloy Cave in 1964 [Herman Haan, 1964]

Fig. 23 - Situation of the Toloy Cave in 2013

16 Urgency for the role within the community:

3) One of the priorities is strengthening 4) Assistance in the restoration will the role of the heritage into local com- have a positive impact on the local community through local development pro- munity, increasing their awareness of grams. As a matter of fact, the Mayor of the historical, social and cultural values Sanga asked help to the Dutch Embassy of the heritage. in Mali to start the so called ‘Protection program’. The program consists of train- 5) The Toloy Cave could once again ing in civil education around 100 people become a tourist destination. from the local villages in order to protect the heritage. The purpose is to get 6) Young people from the local villages vigilance and to find the vandals, which can be employed, learning traditional caused the damages and the demolition construction techniques that can be of the coiled clay buildings. transferred to the future generation.

17 Fig. 24 - View of the buildings in the Central group (buildings q, p, r, u, v) [photo: 2013]

Fig. 25 - View of the buildings in the Central group (buildings q, p, r, u, v) [photo: 2015]

18 Fig. 26 - View of the buildings in the Southern group (buildings d, e, f, a, b, c, g) and damages on building h [photo: 2013]

Fig. 27 - View of the buildings in the Southern group (buildings d, e, f, a, b, c, g) and damages on building h [photo: 2015]

19 C. PROJECT PROPOSAL

3.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE DAMAGES TO THE HERITAGE

The following documentation takes into consideration the previous researches, from 1964 until today. As one of the most well-known caves in the area, we have been using the description in detail and the drawings of Herman Haan (Schi- erbeek et alii, 1965) and Rogier Bedaux (Bedaux, 1972). In order to have a clear understanding of the current situation and the damages of every construction, our research focuses Section AA on the different groups of buildings of the Toloy Cave A, determined by a num- ber (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). In general, the building are made of wet mud coils piled one upon the other and decorated with finger impressions. The plan of the small cone-shaped buildings is generally round, while the plan of the larger ones is rather oval. The constructions almost always go up to the ceiling of the cave, for this reason the height depends on the available space. Near Section BB the edge of the cave there are also two holes probably for grinding seeds of editable crops (Bedaux, 1972).

Section CC

Section DD

Fig. 28 - Sections of the Toloy Cave (scale 1:200) [Herman Haan, 1964]

20 b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

y C

dz z az bz cz D B

scale 1:200

Fig. 29 - Ground plan of the Toloy Cave showing the position of the buildings (scale 1:200) [Herman Haan, 1964]

21 GROUP 1 (buildings: a, b, c, d, e, f, g)

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

dz z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave.

Fig. 30 - View of the southern group [photo: 1981] Description

The structures of the Group 1 are characterized by spindle-shaped clay coils with fingerprints on both the inside and outside, without coating. The spindle-shaped clay coils are 25-35 cm long and 3-6 cm in diameter. They are always hand shaped on the exte- rior and interior, with finger pressing occurring after the positioning of several coils. The walls created in this way are relatively thin, around 6-7 cm (Mayor et alii, 2014).

As the photographs from 1981 show, the damages are evident. The buildings d, e, f are totally demolished, but their fragments are recognizable on the ground. With the disappearance of Fig. 31 - View of the southern group [photo: 2013] these buildings, it is possible now to see directly the structure a, b, c, g, which are attached to the bottom of the cave. They also present damages and some parts of these constructions are missing.

Fig. 32 - View of the southern group [photo: 2015]

22 1981 - 2009

2010

2015

Fig. 33 - Drawings: study of the damages from 1964 to 2015.

23 GROUP 2 (buildings: i, k, l, m, n, j, o, p and q)

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

dz z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave. Fig. 34 - View of the southern group [photo: 1964] Description

The structures of the Group 2, as those of the Group 1, are built with spindle-shaped clay coils, with a length between 25 and 35 cm. The clay coils, slightly flattened, are 3-6 cm thick and always decorated with deep fingerprints both inside and outside, with grooves up to 1.2 cm deep. Moreover, two buildings (i and k) are characterized by clay coils of circular section, continuous and hand rolled. Their diameter varies between 4 and 9 cm, consequently the walls are thicker, between 8-14 cm (Mayor et alii, 2014).

Regarding the damages, these two constructions (i and k) were already in poor condition in 1964, but now they are Fig. 35 - View of the southern group [photo: 2013] completely demolished. We can see only their presence, since the bottom parts are still visible on site. Two other buildings (j and l) don’t present any evident damage since 1964. The same can be said of the building p, while the building q presents a damage in its upper part to the extent that its entry disappeared. In general, entries vary from round to oval and their edges are generally thickened. The entries have a diameter of 30 to 90 cm and some are still present in the walls facing south-west. This is probably related to the prevailing wind direction in the dry season, which comes from the northeast. Most buildings have on average two entries, which are or were closed by a clay folded plate, then sealed with clay (Bedaux, 1972). Fig. 36 - View of the southern group [photo: 2015]

24 1964

2015

Fig. 37 - Drawings: study of the damages from 1964 to 2015.

25 GROUP 3 _ THE ISOLATED STRUCTURE (building h)

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

dz z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave.

Fig. 38 - Situation in 1964. Fig. 39 - Situation in 1978. Description

The construction of the building h is different from the other constructions. This building is far younger (IV-VI century AD) than the other buildings in the cave, which can be dated from the V century BC to the II century AD (Mayor et alii, 2014). It stands out isolated at the entrance of the Cave. The lower part of the wall is constructed by alternating layers: a layer of mud bricks laid obliquely, followed by a layer of the usual wet clay coil, which is pressed lightly in the joints with the bricks. The upper portion is constructed in the same way as the other buildings, only with a little thicker clay coil. Unlike other constructions here can be found vertical fingerprints in the inside, al- Fig. 40 - Situation in 2004. Fig. 41 - Situation in 2010. though shallower (Bedaux, 1972). From the situation in 1964, the upper part of the building is destroyed and it is possible to find the remains around it. As it is visible from the drawings and photographs, also other parts of the building are damaged.

Fig. 42 - Situation in 2014. Fig. 43 - Situation in 2015.

26 h h h

1964 Fig. 44 - Detail of the texture (Blom, 2009) 2004 2014 2015

h h h

2013 2004 2014 2015

h h h

2004 2014 2015 2015

Fig. 45 - Drawings: study of the damages from 1964 to 2015.

27 GROUP 4 _ SOUTHERN FACADE (buildings: r, t, s, u, v, x, and w)

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

dz z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave.

Fig. 46 - View of the central group [photo: 1964] Description

The buildings of the central complex (buildings r, t, s, u, x) are coated with clay. It was with fingers drawings dots, lines and chevron motifs on this clay layer (thickness of 1.5 to 5 cm). The clay is quite heterogeneous, with macro-remains of plants, including straw, grain, stems, leaf veins. The building r is one of the most impos- ing buildings at the cave. The base of this building (r) is decorated with motifs of oblique lines, which creates horizontal bands of chevron. This building is quite broken and certainly was re-plas- tered twice. The oldest layer is decorated with dotted lines. It is characterized by a round entrance in the northern wall, at three-quarters of the height of Fig. 47 - View of the central group [photo: 1981] the building, above which were mod- eled in relief a clay coil that surrounds the half of the entrance (see image 60 pag.33). Radiating lines leave from the edge of the entrance to the relief described above. Higher up in the middle, above the relief, is a bowl shaped hollow (Bedaux, 1972). Building t was made using thick continuous and superimposed clay coils, decorated externally with deep fingerprints up to 1.8 cm deep.

The building r is intentionally being demolished and its remains are clearly on the ground. Description of the buildings p and q can be found in the group 2 (pag.24).

Fig. 48 - View of the central group [photo: 2015]

28 1964

2015

Fig. 49 - Drawings: study of the damages from 1964 to 2015.

29 GROUP 4 _ NORTHERN FACADE (buildings: r, t, s, u, v, x, and w)

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

dz z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave.

Fig. 50 - View of the central group (buildings r, t, s, x,w) [photo: 1964] Description

The northern façade of the central group is impressive for its external decoration. The wall of the building r is decorated with motifs of oblique lines only on the right side of the round entrance, while above it there are 4 horizontal lines of chevron motif. The building t is decorated only on the top left above the round entrance, with 5 vertical lines of two points wide and a dotted pattern. Above the round entrance is still a vague remains of a hollow circle. Above the entrance is visible a piece of missing clay. The northern wall of the building s has an asymmetric decoration. Around the oval entrance a continuous line was plotted; right above there is a rep- Fig. 51 - View of the central group [photo: 2009] resentation consisting of lines of three points (see image 54 pag.32). Above there is a horizontal line from which rise vertical lines, alternately short and long. The short lines end with a little hollow, while the long ones end bifurcated with a small hollow at the extremities. The wall to the left of the entrance is divided by 5 lines in 6 horizontal stripes. In the lowest band there is a horizontal line of 4 points in width, followed by a dotted line. The next band is completed in the same manner. The third band is com- posed only of chevrons, while the forth band is filled in the same way of the first one. The fifth was probably provided with chevrons, but the possible reasons for the sixth band are no longer visible.

Fig. 52 - View of the central group [photo: 2015]

30 1964

2015

Fig. 53 - Drawings: study of the damages from 1964 to 2015.

31 The lower part of the wall of the building x is characterized by vertical rows of chevron motif; above 5 horizontal rows of chevrons are alternated with lines of three points. Above this is again a band of vertical rows of chevrons, followed by a horizontal dot line, a horizontal line of chevrons and a line of dots.

On the northern façade there are damages on the upper part of the buildings r and t. Some of the decorations of the building t are in danger of disappearing. The same is happening with the decoration of the buildings s and x, where the damages are in this case concentrated in their lower part. Clearly evident are the cracks mostly around the opening, due to the weakening of the structure. Fig. 54 - Detail of the top part of buildings s and x [Blom, 2009]

Fig. 55 - Detail of the top part of buildings t and s [photo: 2015]

Fig. 56 - Detail of the top part of buildings t and s [Blom, 2009]

32 DETAILS

Fig. 57 - Detail of the wide circular clay coils [Blom, 2009] Fig. 58 - Detail of the finger impressions [Blom, 2009]

Fig. 59 - Detail of decoration [Blom, 2009] Fig. 60 - Detail of building r from the back [Blom, 2009]

33 GROUP 5 (buildings: y, z, az, bz and cz)

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r t u s x w

dz z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave.

Fig. 61 - View of the northern group [photo: 1964] Description

These structures were all built using spindle-shaped clay coils, similar to those used for the preceding groups (Mayor et alii, 2014).

Of these group of buildings what remains is only the buildings y and z. The buildings az, bz and cz are demolished.

Fig. 62 - View of the northern group [photo: 2014]

Fig. 63 - View of the northern group [photo: 2015]

34 1964

2015

Fig. 64 - Drawings: study of the damages from 1964 to 2015.

35 Fig. 65 - Cross section: situation of the Toloy Cave in 2009.

Fig. 66 - Cross section: situation of the Toloy Cave in 2013.

Fig. 67 - Cross section: situation of the Toloy Cave in 2015.

36 TOTAL DAMAGES OF THE HERITAGE

Using historic photographs as an important resource for the study and documentation of the Toloy Cave, we are able to understand better the damages to the clay coiled buildings. The survey of photographs is also useful to monitor the site and assist in visual reconstruction of the previous appearance of the buildings. Following the documentation and the previous researches, from 1964 until today, we can recognize that:

1) 13 of the 30 buildings in the Toloy Cave have been destroyed.

2) All the buildings present damages.

3) The remains of the demolished buildings are scattered on the ground in the cave.

37 b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r u t s x w

z az bz cz

coiling type 1

coiling type 2

scale 1:200

LEGEND demolished part demolished part saved part saved part coiling type 1 coiling type 2 coiling type 1 coiling type 2

Fig. 68 - Ground plan of the Toloy Cave showing the damages of the buildings (scale 1:200)

38 3.2 ACTIVITIES PROPOSED FOR SAFEGUARDING THE HERITAGE

In order to preserve this archaeological site, unique in Africa south of the Saha- ra, several steps are required. conservation of the buildings in the Toloy be involved in the process. 1) The first is to quickly set up a small Cave and, consequently which approach As part of the larger conservation pro- brigade that can monitor this remote is the best option for the conservation of cess, it has been our objective to use the area and find the vandals, which caused this archeological site. Identification and documentation process as a catalyst for the damages and the demolition of the examination of current local practices for enhancing the local community cohesion coiled clay buildings. The ‘Protection pro- the conservation of similar structures are and involvement with the project, which gram’ is already being organized by the also crucial to provide advices and help would include a range of participants Mayor of Sangha with the help of the in decision making, as a practical and im- informed about the methods and the Dutch embassy. The program consists mediate necessity. Further investigations approach chosen. As our direct expe- of training in civil education around 100 with local technicians, such as the local rience in Yougho shows, the need to people from the local villages in order architect Koné and the Mission Culturelle transfer traditional know-how from the to protect the heritage. Engage the local de Bandiagara, can help in understand- older to the younger generation can be community to protect this exceptional ing more in detail the current condition done successfully within the framework site is the first signal of action to ensure of the heritage through drawings and of a restoration site, which also serves as the durability of the heritage. monitoring, as fundamental components a training opportunity. for preserving the Toloy Cave. What is more, a specialized course in 2) The second step is to create aware- earthen conservation and traditional ness within the local community. Involv- 4) In addition, we investigate the meth- construction can be introduced in the ing the local community comprehends od to protect this heritage and carry out curriculum of the new Technical School training programs not only for crafts- a conservation plan to identify the action in Sangha, not far from the site (see Map men, but also for students. for intervention. The approach chosen pag.7). It is essential to establish a link In fact, a training program to understand is the rehabilitation characterized by the between studies and building practice. In the importance of safeguarding the replacement of the scattered clay pieces this way the interest in earthen architec- heritage can be introduced directly in around the cave in their original posi- ture can be stimulated in the young gen- the schools’ program. Our local partner, tion, in order to repair the buildings (for erations, in order to achieve a long-term Serou Dolo can organize lectures and further information see next section 3.3 preservation of the heritage. discussion within the schools of the area Conservation Plan). of Sangha in order to talk about the sig- 6) The last step concerns three reports. nificance of taking care of the heritage, 5) Cooperating with archaeologists and The first report is an executive summary as an opportunity to strengthen com- experts in the process of understanding on the state of the conservation of the munity identity and belonging. Talking the historic/traditional techniques of Toloy Cave buildings with the proposed and listening, showing documentation earthen structures through research restoration techniques. The second one of the heritage can stimulate reflections into materiality has to be included in the will show the process with the reflec- and make them aware of the current research, discouraging the introduction tions on the work, while the final report situation. The same training has to be of alien construction material which can will include the phases of the rehabilita- organized also for the head of each vil- compromise the character of the build- tion of two buildings, as a pilot method lage by the people from ADI (Association ings and their structural integrity. to safeguard the heritage. Dogon Initiative), our local partner. The conservation plan applies intelligent- Documentation is essential for the ly existing regional resources, as local survival of earthen architecture and for 3) The third step is to make a com- knowledge in material and techniques, the protection of the cultural heritage of plete documentation, collecting a lot of supported by international experts and Mali. information and photos from 1964 until local craftsmen. In the team with four 2015, in order to understand the state of locals, two supervisors from Europe will

39 3.3 CONSERVATION PLAN

The three most commonly used of the missing feature or it may be a new peared in 1964, which corresponds to approaches undertaken at an heritage design compatible with the style, era the oldest documentation that we have. site are preservation, rehabilitation and and character of the historic place. The problem is that we know only the restoration. After understanding the last 40 years of the appearance of these difference between them, it is possible c) Restoration coiled clay buildings, which built nearly to choose one path and provide the Restoration involves accurately reveal- 3000 years ago. As an archeological most effective treatment to the task ing, recovering or representing the state site, we cannot favor one period over in question. This will help to guide the of the Toloy Cave as it appeared at a another. work and to maintain the understanding particular period in its history, while of the overall guiding approach. protecting its heritage value. Restoration Previously, we have been using this may include removing non character-de- approach for the restoration of the a) Preservation fining features from other periods in its Tellem granaries in Yougho, but now the Preservation involves protecting, main- history and recreating missing features situation is different. In fact, in Yougho taining and stabilizing the existing form, from the restoration period. Restoration the buildings are part of the village and material and integrity of the buildings must be based on clear evidence and they are still being used by the locals, of the Toloy Cave, while protecting its detailed knowledge of the earlier forms while in the Toloy Cave the buildings heritage value. Preservation can include and materials being recovered. are not in use by the locals and do not both short-term measures to stabilize have a function anymore. Moreover, the place, as well as long-term actions In principle an archaeological site should these buildings in the Toloy Cave have an to prevent deterioration and further be preserved and left untouched, but important historical and archaeological damages. This will avoid any intrusive the Toloy Cave is an exception since we value, since they are the oldest construc- interventions, extensive replacement have an extensive documentation of the tions in Sangha region and they have and new construction. situation from 1964 to 2015. been investigated from 1964 until today. Of course the current situation should be The ethno-archaeological researches b) Rehabilitation stabilized and consolidated to prevent show us a sociocultural and economic Rehabilitation involves the sensitive further damages, but an intervention is complexity, where human occupation adaptation of the Toloy Cave for a con- necessary otherwise this heritage of the was already present in this area from the tinuing use, while protecting its herit- humanity will disappear soon. post-Neolithic period onwards (Mayor et age value. Rehabilitation can include The restoration approach should be alii, 2005). This proves the importance replacing missing historic features. The avoided, because it means recovering of the site as the oldest known example replacement may be an accurate replica the state of the Toloy Cave as it ap- of earthen architecture in Africa south

Fig. 69 - Method of the previous restoration project in Yougo Dogorou [photo: 2013]

40 Fig. 70 - Grouping of the fragments of a Greek jaar. The fragments provided sufficient information to re-create the vase shape. [photos from Museum of Fine Arts Boston: www.mfa.org] of the Sahara. For all these reasons, the as a puzzle. In case some parts will be be included, discouraging the introduc- approach chosen is the rehabilitation replaced, they have to be signed as tion of alien construction material which characterized by the replacement of the clearly new pieces to avoid any inter- can compromise the character of the scattered clay pieces around the cave in ference with the scientific research that buildings and their structural integrity. their original position, in order to repair has already been done in the cave from As part of the larger conservation pro- the buildings. After choosing two of the 1964. For example, archeologists used cess, it has been our objective to use the thirty buildings, as a pilot rehabilita- this method for the restauration of the documentation process as a catalyst for tion, the first step is to investigate how ancient Greek jars (Fig. 70). Cooperating enhancing the local community cohesion these clay pieces can be put together to with archaeologists in the process of and involvement with the project, which repair the buildings. The idea is to slowly understanding the historic/tradition- would include a full range of participants collect the fallen and scattered pieces al techniques of earthen structures informed about the methods and the and then catalogue them with numbers, through research into materiality has to approach chosen.

Fig. 71 - Method proposed for the conservation project of the Toloy Cave [photo: 2015]

41 PILOT REHEBILITATION OF TWO BUILDINGS [r and q]

b c a g n j e f i d l k m o p q h v r u t s x w

z az bz cz

Floorplan _ Toloy Cave.

scale 1:200

LEGEND demolished part demolished part saved part saved part coiling type 1 coiling type 2 coiling type 1 coiling type 2

Fig. 72- Rehabilitation method: replacement of the scattered clay pieces around the cave in their original position, in order to repair the buildings _ Northern facade.

42 q

Fig. 73 - View of the buildings _ West facade. [photo: 2014]

q r

Fig. 74 - Rehabilitation method _ Southern facade.

43 3.4 EXPECTED TIME-FRAME FOR REALIZING THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

In total:

The conservation of the Toloy Cave will take 3 years. The project of this request will take 14 months: April 2015 – June 2016. The period of time in which the work can be done is dependent of work on the land. Most of the work will be done in the dry season from January to June.

Per activity:

1) April - June: preparing a complete documentation and collect all the previous investigations. In the same time, the ‘Protection program’ starts. A small brigade can be set up to monitor this remote area and to find the vandals, which caused the damages and the demolition of the coiled clay buildings.

2) July - October: organization of training program in schools and in villages in the area of Sangha with the purpose of creating awareness within the local community.

3) September – November: further investigation are carried out by local technicians.

4) December – May: pilot rehabilitation of two buildings to test the method.

5) June: preparing the final report with exhaustive documentation of the work including a financial table. Fig. 75 - Training program in schools [photo: 2014]

Fig. 76 - Training program in villages [photo: 2015]

44 3.5 FOLLOW-UP OF COMPLETE RESTORATION

The conservation plan of the Toloy cave enhances the local community cohesion, strengthening the role of the heritage into local development programs. The project is a world ‘learning-education project’, which will support monitoring and aiming to create awareness through training and protect the World Heritage. With this pilot project young people will be trained in specific and traditional knowledge needed for rehabilitation of clay architecture, aiming to stimulate their interest in earthen architecture and achieve a long-term preservation of the heritage. The specific knowledge can be disseminated to other villages and thus ensures employment. Cultural tourism can sustain the local community, which will sustained monitoring and ensure an adequate protection of the site.

Fig. 77 - Young people trained in traditional techniques [photo: 2014]

Fig. 78 - Stimulate the interest of young generation in earthen architecture and preserve the heritage [photo: 2015]

45 3.6 HOW THE FUTURE MAINTE- NANCE OF THE SITE IS SECURED

ADI aims for a general and integrated approach. Combined with the conservation, we will stimulate different aspects:

1) A natural way of protecting the heritage through awareness and training of locals. The goal is to stimulate reflection on the importance of the heritage for their own identity and for the humanity, in order to ensure its protection.

2) A physical barrier is impossible to realized, if we don’t want to damage the Toloy Cave. Only the natural way of protecting the site is in balance with what we want to achieve.

3) The conservation plan will ensure a participatory process, where the local community is involved in the project, enhancing its cohesion and strengthen its own identity.

4) The new Technical Lyceum in Sangha (see Map pag.7 of the brochure) will provide education in building, restoration, agriculture and tourism to support the activities in the villages.

5) Introduction of rehabilitation guide- lines for the protection of vernacular buildings and traditional settlements.

Fig. 79 - Involvement of the local community (Yougo Dogorou) [photo: 2014]

EXPECTED OUTCOME

- For the community: - For the appreciation of the heritage: Young people from the local villages can Cultural tourism will bring economic be employed, learning traditional con- benefit to the local community. struction techniques that can be transferred to the future generation. Through - For the capacity building: the conservation project the cohesion of Conservation of an archeological site. the local community will be enhanced.

- For the social-economic situation of the area in which the heritage is situated: Employment of young people from the local villages.

46 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

From http://whc.unesco.org/

State of Conservation (SOC) Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) (Mali)

Factors affecting the property in 2014* - Deliberate destruction of heritage - Financial resources - Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community - Management systems/ management plan - War

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports - Insufficient site management means - Illicit traffic of cultural property

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014

The State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 24 March 2014, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/ list/516/documents/. It also submitted the annual report of activities (2013) and a report from the mission undertaken by the Cultural Mission of Bandiagara. Key issues reported on include: - Management and conservation arrangements for the property, particularly limited funding for the functioning and implementation of actions by the Cultural Mission, have been strongly affected by the conflict in Mali over the past two years. Also, as noted in 2013, cultural tourism, an essential activity to sustain economic benefits and livelihoods for local communities at the property has also notably decreased. In addition, resources for continued maintenance have also not been secured. - Acts of vandalism that affected the prehistoric sites at Toloy (in the Sangha region). The short mission undertaken at this sector identified impacts at two altars and collapse at one of the structures below the rock shelter and proposed potential measures to address this damage. It also reports on identified uncontrolled activities that can potentially impact architectural cohesion and impact the integrity of the inscribed landscape. No extensive information has been provided on these acts of vandalism to be able to ascertain at this stage what the impacts are on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property. - Some actions were implemented throughout 2013, largely centred on support of local economic activities, particularly with the organisation and structuring of the Koundou artisans and support for women involved in handicraft activities. Actions were also undertaken to reinforce the capacities of heritage committees. - Priorities for the property include strengthening the role of heritage into local development programmes and the review of the management and conservation for the property to adapt it to new socio-political and economic conditions. This last action is to be carried out potentially with funding from the World Monuments Fund. A rehabilitation project for three villages in Youga and for the mosque at Nando was developed and it will be implemented in 2014.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014

Notwithstanding the limited resources available, the State Party has continued its efforts to manage the property. Resources need to be secured to implement maintenance actions, in collaboration with local communities, before the fabric of heritage locations deteriorates further. Maintenance endeavors can contribute partly to improving conditions. The consideration being made by the State Party in strengthening the role of heritage in development proposals is considered as a positive development. The review of the management plan will be a crucial measure to ensure that adequate heritage provisions are articulated with development planning and used as an opportunity to strengthen community identity and belonging. Acts of vandalism have been identified and concerns have been expressed by the State Party regarding uncontrolled actions that can potentially impact the integrity of the property. A detailed report is needed to be able to ascertain whether impacts to the OUV of the property have occurred. Sustained monitoring at different component parts of this large property, supported by local communities, is needed for their adequate protection. The process to review the management plan should include the broad participation of different stakeholders so that regulatory measures are identified to better control potential new constructions and development to retain the delicate balance between human occupation and landscape preservation.

47 Committee Decisions 37 COM 7B.34 Bandiagara Cliffs (land of the Dogons) (Mali) (C/N 516)

The World Heritage Committee, 1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7B.Add, 2. Commends the State Party for its efforts in the protection and conservation of the property in the difficult context of armed conflict in the northern regions of Mali; 3. Expresses its concern about the problems arising from the crisis and linked to the shutdown of cultural tourism which is one of the most important sources of income for local communities, the decline of cultural identities due to the crisis, and the resurgence of the phenomenon of illicit trafficking and sale of cultural property; 4. Thanks the Director-General of UNESCO for her efforts to respond to Decisions 36 COM 7B.106 and 36 COM 7B.107, notably through the creation of a special account for the safeguarding of Malian cultural heritage and awareness-raising of the international community; 5. Also thanks France, Mali and UNESCO to have organized a day of solidarity for Mali during which an international meeting of experts was held and resulted in the adoption of an Action Plan for the rehabilitation of the cultural heritage and ancient manuscripts of Mali; 6. Further thanks the UNESCO experts group on Mali consisting of the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM), the Inter- national Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), the School of African Heritage (EPA), the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and the International Centre for Earthen Architecture (CRAterre-ENSAG) in Gre- noble for having contributed to the development of the action plan in close collaboration with the Malian and French experts; 7. Appeals to States Parties to the World Heritage Convention , the African Union, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), other African organiza- tions and the entire international community to contribute to the implementation of the action plan for the rehabilitation of the cultural heritage and ancient manuscripts of Mali; 8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2014, a detailed report on the State of conservation of the Bandiagara Cliffs (Dogon Country). Property and especially on progress made in the preservation of their Outstanding Universal Value, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 38th session in 2014.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014 38COM7B.60 Bandiagara Cliffs (land of the Dogons) (Mali) (C/N 516) The World Heritage Committee, 1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B.Add, 2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.34, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013), 3. Welcomes the efforts made by the State Party for the management of the property; 4. Notes that conservation and management actions are needed for different component parts of the property and that resources will need to be secured for their full implementation and calls upon the international community to contribute and support the State Party in its efforts; 5. Notes with concern the acts of vandalism at the prehistoric sites of Toloy, requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on their effects and potential impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and urges the State Party to enhance monitoring and protection measures at vulnerable sectors; 6. Encourages the State Party to commence a participatory planning process for the review of the management and conservation plan to identify a course of action for interventions and to update and articulate regulatory measures and provisions to ensure that the adequate balance between heritage conservation and development is retained, and also urges the State Party to develop a sustainable finance strategy for the implementation of the revised plans; 7. Also requests the State Party to provide an electronic and three printed copies of the draft revised management and conservation plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies; 8. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 December 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.

48 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books

Bedaux R., Tellem: een bijdrage tot de geschiedenis van de Republiek Mali, Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal, 1977

Blom H., Dogon images and tradition, Imprimerie Lannoo NV, Belgium, 2009

Griaule M., Masques dogons, Institut d’Ethnologie, Musée de l’Homme, Paris, 1983

Rainer L., Rivera A., Gandreau D., Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on the Study and Conservation of Earthen Architectural Heritage, The Getty Conservation Institute, Bamako, 2008

Rudofsky B., Architecture without architects. A short introduction to non-pedigreed architecture, Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1964

Schierbeek B., Oumar Sy M., Haan H., Tellem; verkenning van een oude Afrikaanse cultuur, W. de Haan N.V., Zeist, Antwerpen, 1965

Van Heuvel W., Structuralism in Dutch architecture, Uitgeverij 010, Rotterdam, 1992

Vollaard P., Herman haan, architect, Uitgeverij 010, Rotterdam, 1995

Doctorate Thesis

Dainese L., La composizione cellulare: L’architettura spontanea Dogon e l’Europa, Facoltá di Architettura IUAV di Venezia, Dottora- to in Composizione Architettonica, 2012

Articles

Bedaux R., “Tellem, reconnaissance archéologique d’une culture de l’Ouest africain au Moyen Age : recherches architectoniques”, in Journal de la Société des Africanistes, tome 42, fascicule 2, 1972, pp. 103-185

Bedaux R., “Les premiers Dogon dans la région de Sangha”, in R. Bedaux & J.D. van der Waals (eds), Regards sur les Dogon du Mali. Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde and Editions Snoeck, Leiden and Ghent, 2004, pp. 37-39

Cissé L., “Un plan de conservation et de gestion pour le site des Falaises de Bandiagara”, in 10 ans d’expérience de terrain projets situés, CRAterre editions, 2009, pp.110-119

Huizinga J., Birnie-Tellier N.F., Glanville E.V., “Description and carbon-14 dating of Tellem cave skulls from the Mali Republic: a comparison with other negroid groups I”, in Proceedings Koninkl. Nederl. Akademie van Wetenschappen, series C, vol.70, n.3, 1967, pp.338-351

Mayor A., Huysecom E., Gallay A., Rasse M., Ballouche A., “Population dynamics and paleoclimate over the past 3000 years in the Dogon Country, Mali”, in Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2005, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 25 -61

Mayor A., Huysecom E., Ozainne S., Magnavita S., “Early social complexity in the Dogon country (Mali) as evidenced by a new chronology of funerary practices”, in Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2014, n.34, pp.17-41

Van Eyck A., “Het verhaal van een andere gedachte (The Story of another idea)”, in Forum, Architectura et amicitia, vol.14, n.7, September, 1959

Websites http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/516/ http://www.mcbmali.org/?lang=fr http://www.sustainableheritage.ca/prr.htm

49 COLOFON

Text Marta Rota Photography Jurriaan van Stigt (SDO), Amatigue Dara (ADI) EditingJurriaan van Stigt Graphic design Marta Rota Drawings Paulina Dominiak and Adéla Drnovská Published SDO, 2015

Board Foundation Dogon Education

Chairman Jurriaan van Stigt Treasurer Gonny van Stigt-Amesz Secretary Jan Joost Peskens

Special thanks to

- prof. dr. Roger Bedaux, Curators Africa of the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde (RMV) in Leiden

- Huib Blom, author of a photo and text book entitled “Dogon Images & Traditions”, whpo gave us his photographs

- Arch. Herman Haan and his collection of material and pictures

- Aldo van Eyck Archive

Occasionally there are pictures used which are made by people who have joined on one of the many trips. SDO manages an archive of nearly 50.000 pictures from the period 1972 to present.

For updated and additional information visit www.dogononderwijs.nl