Le Pays Dogon is an area in Mali where villagers live a very traditional lifestyle. Nestled on, in, and under the cliffs of an escarpment, the villages each reflect a unique culture that is more different from U.S. culture than anything I've ever witnessed in person. Here are some photos of villagers who got a little surprise as they went about their daily lives.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r2iqR9QYJOO6sb74XDVM2XC15GqMOVqH0kHQsqZYZtzA-9s846G8MCdW8MlGrWo1oFZKh6H6kvoa6uJQAMj9mw1Ch_PKmVko3FN6G_WKlNxFRf7aBZDd5of4HURVLgPLIG6Sl_Q0Xvc/s400/Mali+018-1.jpg)
A woman takes a break from pounding millet
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Our guide thinks this whole thing is hysterical!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16vN303fyo2Xp5dMoQIRom-_l4fwFjiD39hlj3s1EEWXRF5YEaX98XQDJ16C420F_WF8KcwLoTJ_ROlC385GkP620S-ON240BzA7eb50Kz99Q7hOWnRn4TdZpS_aMngV9vnzddFOg_nM/s400/cave.jpg)
A local hunter who daylights as a palm reader / medicine man gets a treat. I would have made him a hat anyway, but I was especially pleased when he told me that I have good spirits (as opposed to my travel companion, who was told she needed to sacrifice a chicken).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCP-2M9jPWUsADKUNXBVflWaXfnFiXWSgYyj942Oi3-s0KTf9tiykzNnmOvFb3V1PbQT4dXFUp6-g8gRJttZaKVt5rT4XAuYZ6upe9HxxDe-QadOnfPQlGLLa8n_66AONdm9KLWJlTDs/s400/smile.jpg)
He was pleased with the hat.
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An elder passing through...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylfV71XQyJXi_37mcFBELHra9tsFBSxUnErMvyo_EcZUcAggKJWUIDx3ewkjpDwMEIhjkvfK_CxwUm4WbDDnbdOybupAzbE4gu5gG6S8uEAW2dFAULC_4fZkA0-e188jBqIuQI7-PstA/s400/Mali+186-1.jpg)
Our guide's family gets a visit too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwD4rMdFsDy3ppuNUV8zJouUEnHolJ7kBjNUQNFYYAopyaeEbt4zG6Yv6iezUcb1UBDPuCdR8n2tBLe9aYMMM6ZGDe2un19C8jNOoXuqUVExSQrxByYH0cgbREBO5gSmh15XQ1wyqFlM/s400/smile2.jpg)
A man who works at one of the campments for tourists
Extra Bonus Section: Behind the Scenes Shots (see how the magic happens...)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa-csNFXqnDhvmi5me6-IHeqOylKDkvIm4DA4DxF61TfXKqrIRgXwxoKclZx676i_Jx9RF29ESLaofpB1JKDYV8jag8nbDDeRDZSbLn66BuahDvaj9sot0A26Z1gxl6ZnhwxVaojjd1Y/s400/ZoeMaliTravel+064.jpg)
All the local kids come over to watch
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There's a lot of laughing involved
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAWRyATX51L-bfP6IBzjjqYswcwRMm5L99S2VtAq65Z5oBn_mBCvF1OST87EAp5XGUmcyGJtUIK98uAYBHKxsWry35NNcXh6elKVhI1iir9u5S3R-SI0EJBASLJejYnIbmP64xT3K3jQ/s400/ZoeMaliTravel+127.jpg)
Some spectators are a bit puzzled
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQszTULH0i0LkxJcQcGZXt2LaFo1U3hN9ViiP7AySwo-Vn7-O1CQL6nzr7Qfws_kxihjT_Bsj0qXzmElvIAJMD9hFnursMTc1E0XvjUv90lHTndiAvsB2IuP44Kbg_B4mOiVz4jkbR5I/s400/attack.jpg)
First there's just one kid, and he gets a buzzing bee. Then moments later, I'm surrounded by a mob. Kids who want balloons are like a hungry pack of wolves. Notice the kid up front.