Mission Culturelle de Bandiagara
The Mission Culturelle de Bandiagara (MCB) was founded in 1993 as a branch of the Malian Ministry of Culture. Its task is the protection and preservation of the UNESCO world cultural and natural heritage " Falaise de Bandiagara (Dogonland / Pays Dogon)". The Dogon country has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List (world cultural and natural heritage) since 1989.
aims
Since its inception, the MCB has been tasked with implementing the following three goals:
- Protection and preservation of the cultural and natural heritage (tangible and intangible) in the area classified by UNESCO. Specific projects focus on the inventory and documentation of cultural assets, the construction of municipal museums, the restoration of certain public buildings (e.g. family houses, totem temples of exceptional value) and research in the field of world cultural and natural heritage. These projects also serve to curb the problem of looting and theft of cultural objects.
- Promotion, education and awareness-raising about the Dogon Country World Heritage. Inside and outside of the Dogon country it is important to create awareness of the cultural and ecological wealth. Sustainable promotion of the area classified by UNESCO by the MCB can only be guaranteed through the targeted valorisation of the cultural and natural heritage. In addition to the classics such as information, awareness-raising, communication and training, emphasis is placed on promoting local knowledge of traditional construction methods, handicrafts and medicine.
- Improving the living conditions of the communities and the local population by strengthening the regional economy. One focus is on building sustainable tourism and strengthening regional handicrafts. But the promotion of regional customs (Dogon mask dances) has also been actively addressed in recent years.