Mali's Dogon Country is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations because of the combination of striking scenery at the Bandiagara Escarpment and fascinating cultural riches. Located near the eastern border of Mali, this arid region is home to about 350,000 Dogon people as well as a large number of Peuls (Fulani) and Bambara. Subsistence farming focusing on millet and sorghum and complemented by onions grown for market where water is available for irrigation dominates the economic activity of villagers. The Dogons have managed to retain many aspects of their culture despite the influx of Islam and later French colonization and Christianity. They are well-known for their mask dances, carvings, and dying both with indigo and mud techniques. The city of Bandiagara serves as capital of the Cercle and demonstrates a rich mixture of West African cultures. The 150km Bandiagara Escarpment is a huge, nearly-vertical cliff, whose crevices hide the homes of the ancient Tellem people who, according to Dogon legend, were able to fly to reach their dwellings. The plateau above the escarpment also holds caves and overhangs with elaborate buildings that attest to the rich history of the Dogons. The region has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
