HT Games
Phonological Clues
Due to the construction of the word Dogon, using phonological clues to pantomime the word "Dogon" is one of the simplest ways to act out the name. Individuals first let teammates know that the name of the people is one word, comprised of two syllables. Next, the two syllables can easily be broken down into the words "dog" and "on." Acting out the word dog is easy, with the individual using the physical actions of a dog such as being on all fours and panting to illustrate this clue. The word "on" may be more of a challenge but individuals may have more success if they attempt to contrast "off" and "on" in their actions, emphasizing "on" as the relevant choice.
Cultural Clues
Providing inspiration for some of the most influential Western artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, Dogon masks are recognized worldwide. Highly prized in the art and anthropological world, the masks are both artistically and culturally significant to the Dogon culture. Charade players wishing to distinguish the Dogon masks from other African tribal masks may choose to integrate specific uses for the masks in acting out the phrase. For instance, the sirige mask is constructed of the limb of an individual tree carved into a 20-foot wooden mask. The mask signifies the bonds among heaven, Earth and the Dogon tribe. Used in a mask dance, it is balanced on the teeth of the dancers who swing it in arcing motions meant to imitate the trajectory of the sun. Charade partners can imitate these movements, in combination with gestures to signify a facial mask, to lead their teammates to the answer.
Geographic Clues
A multi-step pantomime representing the geographic location of the Dogon as an African tribe can help teammates use the clue to find the correct answer. Through a series of non-verbal clues, individuals can systematically lead their teammates to first the continent, then the country, and finally to the tribe itself. The first set of clues must establish Africa as the general region and may be done through imitating common images of African tribes. Once Africa has been established, the country must be illustrated. The simplest means of doing so may be to imitate an object that rhymes with the word "Mali" such as dolly or trolley. Finally, phonological or cultural clues may be combined with this method to illustrate the specific tribe as the Dogon.
The Dogon as a Category
Many games of charades cover a variety of categories, illustrated through phrases, titles and individual words. However, charades provide players with the flexibility to make their own categories. For groups familiar with the ethnography of individual tribes in Africa, making the Dogon a category provides room for additional prompts specific to the culture. For example, charade prompts in this category could include the different family groups of the Dogon such as the Awa and Lebe. Players pantomiming the Awa, who are charged with the spiritual service of the tribe, can imitate the act of mourning or ancestral worship practiced by the group. The Lebe, who oversee the worship of agricultural spirits, can be illustrated by actions representative of farming such as hoeing or planting.