The Dogan Tribe is located in the Bandiagara Escarpment Cliffs in Mali, Africa. They are known for creating "Spindle Whorl Beads" which are made from the black clay found in the mountains that surround their village. The beads are anywhere from 50 to 200 years old.

The process of making these beads is very tedious. First the clay is made into a fine powder by mortar and pestle. It then is mixed with gum arabic and oil, this makes it easier to sculpt by hand. The beads are then left out for a week before fired in a charcoal pit. Once fired, they are burried in a moistened mixture of sawdust. The white markings on the finished bead is a paste made from crushed shells. The process is usually repeated several times to get the desired look.

The "Whorl" beads are considered good luck and put in the doorways of the village houses to ward away evil. The Dogan tribe is unique in defining their existence through songs, stories, artwork and dance.