The Dogon Tribe’s Sirius Mystery & Otherworldly Origins
The Dogon, an ancient West African tribe residing in Mali, possess a cosmology that includes surprisingly precise knowledge of the Sirius star system. This has given rise to the “Sirius mystery,” a debate about how a secluded, primitive culture could know about celestial bodies invisible to the naked eye and astronomical phenomena discovered only in recent history.
Table of Contents
- The Mystery of Sirius B and C
- An Otherworldly Explanation: The Nommos
- Connections to Other Ancient Cultures
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Dogon
The Mystery of Sirius B and C
The Dogon’s knowledge, revealed to French anthropologists in the 1930s, includes details of the Sirius system that were unknown to modern science at the time:
- Sirius B: The Dogon knew about Sirius B, a white dwarf star, which was not officially confirmed by Western astronomers until the 1970s.
- 50-Year Orbit: They accurately described Sirius B’s 50-year elliptical orbit around Sirius A, the brightest star in the night sky.
- Sirius C: The Dogon also speak of a third star, Sirius C, an assertion that is currently unconfirmed by modern astronomy but has been speculated about.
The Dogon also had knowledge of Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings and knew our location within the Milky Way Galaxy. Their artifacts, some over 400 years old, depict this astronomical understanding, challenging the notion that their knowledge came from a recent cultural exchange.
An Otherworldly Explanation: The Nommos
One of the most profound elements of Dogon lore is the story of the Nommos, an amphibious, extraterrestrial race from the Sirius system who are said to have imparted this celestial wisdom to the tribe’s ancestors more than 600 years ago.
- Non-Physical Beings: The Nommos were allegedly non-physical beings who appeared to only a small sect of the Dogon tribe to prevent the contact from being detrimental to their well-being.
- Transmission of Knowledge: The tribe’s advanced knowledge is passed down to new generations every 60 years during the Sigui, a celebration that marks Sirius’s cycle.
Connections to Other Ancient Cultures
The story of amphibious, god-like beings is not unique to the Dogon. Similar figures appear in the mythologies of ancient civilizations, including Babylonia, Greece, and Slavic nations.
- Egyptian Connection: The most compelling link is to ancient Egypt. The Dogon’s language for describing the Sirius star system contains ancient Egyptian words that have not been used for centuries. Both cultures also shared similar civic structures, like the establishment of upper and lower kingdoms and a 360-day calendar.
- Mesopotamian Deity: The Mesopotamian deity Dagon or Dagan, a merman or fish god, shares a similar name and description with the Nommos of the Dogon tribe.
These parallels suggest a shared history of star knowledge passed down through generations, leaving open the question of whether our ancestors had help from elsewhere in our cosmic neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Do scientists believe the Dogon tribe was visited by aliens?
A: Mainstream science, including figures like Carl Sagan, generally dismisses the idea of extraterrestrial contact, suggesting instead that the Dogon’s knowledge was acquired through a cultural exchange with Europeans. However, some evidence, such as the 400-year-old artifacts, challenges this conventional view. - Q: What is the significance of Sirius in ancient cultures?
A: As the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius has been a central part of many ancient cultures. In ancient Egypt, Sirius was known as the “Nile Star” and its appearance heralded the annual flooding of the Nile, a crucial event for agriculture. - Q: Where can I learn more about ancient civilizations and their connection to the stars?
A: Gaia’s library features a wide range of content on ancient cultures, starseed origins, and the possibility of ancient astronauts. Explore our series and films to dive deeper into these fascinating topics.
About the Author
Who Are the Knights Templar?
One of the most enduring historical topics, one filled with mystery, drama, abuses of power and outright betrayal, is that of the Knights Templar, the guardians of King Solomon’s Temple and the champions of Christianity in Jerusalem. Chances are, you’ve seen the Templars portrayed in cinema, read about them in novels, or have followed them down alternative historical avenues. Nothing fiction can provide can come close to the truth of what started as a group of nine Knights and ended with one of the most powerful financial and military organizations ever created.
It has been implied through historical speculation, as well as dramatic fiction, that the Knights Templar protected great secrets, too dangerous for the public to discover, as they could disrupt the faith and stability of the Catholic Church, as well as every other religion that relies upon the story of Jesus Christ, as presented in the Bible.
Their connection with the Holy Grail has been implied time and time again, and the belief that they may have known of the offspring of Jesus is a popular theory that has been speculated upon for much longer than most people realize. For those with an interest in Tarot, spend some time with The Chariot card, from the Aleister Crowley Thoth deck. You will discover the theory of the blood lineage of Jesus present in that card if you are willing to look deeply enough.
Who Were the Knights Templar?
We all know that the Middle East is a source of tension, territorial disputes, and war. This fact is nothing new. The Crusades were fought in an effort to recover Jerusalem from the Muslim conquerors of that city. Jerusalem has such importance because it is a sacred focal point for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
It was believed that the ability to occupy Jerusalem and control it, was an indication of the divine right to rule and was coveted by both the East and the West. The Crusaders regained control of Jerusalem in 1099. The control of the city was extremely complicated and it was necessary that there be a military force engaged for policing, protective detail, guarding and other duties.
Hugues de Payens, a French knight and nobleman, became the first Grand Master of the Knights Templar. The group initially consisted of nine Knights, supported by a basic staff. Eventually, they would number in the thousands.
Why Were They Called the Knights Templar?
Their name was taken from the fact that they believed that they were camped in what used to be a part of King Solomon’s Temple, specifically the stables, which suited them just fine. Their name as known to us, Knights Templar, simply means the Knights of The Temple. A more correct name for the Knights would be, “Poor Comrades (Soldiers) Of Christ And Solomon’s Temple.”
