Tribe (new series)
- Thread starter Sunspots
- Start date
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
I saw one I'd missed earlier last night and I think it was the best one.
It was where he visited the forest dwelling people who's land was being taken from them and who wanted land rights.
He said that he hadn't intended to make a political programme but that the destruction of the forest was all the people talked about and they didn't really give him any respite.
All the people he has visited during the series have similar problems and issues that need to be addressed, some had talked to him about it but the series up till now has focused mostly on hunting, taking hallucinogens, taking part in various rituals, etc.
This latest episode was needed for balance IMO, but also it seemed to me like it completed a cycle that began when Bruce took the Iboga as part of a Bwiti initiation.
The ritual and drug induced in him a feeling of profound closeness to someone dear to him in his past who he had wronged, not so much by doing something bad but by omitting to do something. He also felt guilty and had a powerful wish to reparate that person and make amends.
This time he didn't need the Iboga to be struck with a realization about his kinship and responsibilities towards people. Their frank and earnest communication to him about the injustice and horror of their culture's impending destruction, the guided tours of environmental destruction on a massive scale, the destruction of their home, their forest, how the loggers beat them with irom bars and otherwise abused them, all of this triggered a moment of clarity.
It was as though for the first time, regardless of all the initiation ceremonies he had and all the people who said "you are a son / brother to us", Bruce felt as though he really was a family member with a responsibility towards these people.
That's how it looked to me, anyway.
It was where he visited the forest dwelling people who's land was being taken from them and who wanted land rights.
He said that he hadn't intended to make a political programme but that the destruction of the forest was all the people talked about and they didn't really give him any respite.
All the people he has visited during the series have similar problems and issues that need to be addressed, some had talked to him about it but the series up till now has focused mostly on hunting, taking hallucinogens, taking part in various rituals, etc.
This latest episode was needed for balance IMO, but also it seemed to me like it completed a cycle that began when Bruce took the Iboga as part of a Bwiti initiation.
The ritual and drug induced in him a feeling of profound closeness to someone dear to him in his past who he had wronged, not so much by doing something bad but by omitting to do something. He also felt guilty and had a powerful wish to reparate that person and make amends.
This time he didn't need the Iboga to be struck with a realization about his kinship and responsibilities towards people. Their frank and earnest communication to him about the injustice and horror of their culture's impending destruction, the guided tours of environmental destruction on a massive scale, the destruction of their home, their forest, how the loggers beat them with irom bars and otherwise abused them, all of this triggered a moment of clarity.
It was as though for the first time, regardless of all the initiation ceremonies he had and all the people who said "you are a son / brother to us", Bruce felt as though he really was a family member with a responsibility towards these people.
That's how it looked to me, anyway.
This last show made me feel so terribly sad. The economic and political forces ranged against the Penan are resolute, implacable and awesome; they have no chance, no possiblility of survival in any meaningful sense of the word.
They are probably the most marginalised Tribe we have seen this series. Even if they hadnt been as vocal about the decimation of the forest, the fact Bruce and his team were able to drive to their front doors is extraordinary, that left me stunned tbh- the Penan have been compromised to such a massive extent.
I hope their Land Rights Campaign falls on fertile ground, but there is a lack of political will to understand the issues of The Penan, and why would there be, especially when there is a swift back hander to be received from a logging company.
They are probably the most marginalised Tribe we have seen this series. Even if they hadnt been as vocal about the decimation of the forest, the fact Bruce and his team were able to drive to their front doors is extraordinary, that left me stunned tbh- the Penan have been compromised to such a massive extent.
I hope their Land Rights Campaign falls on fertile ground, but there is a lack of political will to understand the issues of The Penan, and why would there be, especially when there is a swift back hander to be received from a logging company.
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
More about the Penan and how you can get involved in supporting them here
http://www.survival-international.org/tribes/penan
http://www.survival-international.org/tribes/penan
Louloubelle
Well-Known Member
Melinda said:
You're very welcome
More important petitions here, including one re the Penan
http://www.speaking4earth.org/html/
Similar threads
