PRODUCTIONS: OUMAR, THE CRAFTSMAN OF THE DOGON

DIRECTOR

PRODUCER

DURATION

VERSIONS

FORMAT

Piero Coppo

SD Cinematografica

25'

SD

Blacksmiths occupy a special place in communities throughout Africa. As well as iron, they work in wood and bronze. Their wives work in clay, making vases and household pots.
However, this is not the blacksmith’s only area of competence: they know how to cure many illnesses, and they produce fetishes (wooden statues and stone objects) for healers and fortune-tellers. It is said that at a blacksmith’s funeral other blacksmiths engage in trials of strength, handling fire without burning themselves, or even changing into wild beasts.
Oumar is a Dogon blacksmith. The Dogon tribe of Mali are renowned for their wisdom and their rich culture. He lives near Sangha, an area renowned for its natural beauty.
The documentary shows him sculpting a statue, in his forge, looking for stones to sculpt and at home with his family.