The Sunday Good – Before They Pass Away

This week’s edition of the Sunday Good is world inspired.  I came across this amazing work a good while back, and it took me some time to find where I had originally come across it.  These photos are the work of Jimmy Nelson who has documented his photography on his website, www.jimmynelson.com.

As it states on the website, these are photographs of painted bodies, pure spirits and free souls.  These photos testify to the irrepressible human will to beautify.  All of these photos by Jimmy Nelson have been compiled into a book, entitled Before They Pass Away.  Tribes teach us aspects of humanity such as love, respect, peace, survival and sharing.  

I adore this book, with all of my heart.  It is one of my deepest passions to study, learn, and share and teach to my children the stories and histories of the tribal and indigenous cultures.  There is so much to be learned from the ancient ways and lifestyles of these people, that introduce to us ways of living harmoniously with our planet and all things upon it.  The words below which are in italics are the very words of the photographer himself.

Argentina: Gauchos Tribe – “The word ‘Gaucho’ was used to describe the free spirits, inseparable from their horse and knife.  Over time, when extensive portions of prairies were settled and commercial cattle began, there was less room for the Gauchos to roam.  As their way of living changed, the legend of the Gaucho grew.”

Ethiopia: The Banna Tribe are a mainly agricultural people who inhabit the highlands east of the Omo River. Cattle and goats provide milk and meat, as well as hides for clothing, shelter and sleeping mats. They also display wealth and prestige: without them, a man is considered poor, and in most tribes cannot get married because he has nothing to offer as a bridal gift.

Ethiopia: The Karo Tribe were known for their magnificent houses (when still rich in cattle) but after they lost their wealth, they adopted the much lighter conical huts. Every Karo family owns two houses: the Ono, the principal living room of the family, and the Gappa, the centre of several household activities.

Nepal:  Mustang Tribe –  The traditions of the people of Lo are closely related to early Buddhism. Most still believe that the world is flat. They are highly religious, prayers and festivals are an integral part of their lives. The grandeur of the monasteries illustrates the prominent position of religion.

New Zealand:  Maori Tribe – The long and intriguing story of the origine of the indigenous Maori people can be traced back to the 13th century, the mythical homeland Hawaiki, Eastern Polynesia.  Due to centuries of isolation, the Maori established a distinct society with characteristic art, a separate language and unique mythology.   Defining aspects of Maori traditional culture include art, dance, legends, tattoos and community. While the arrival of European colonists in the 18th centure had a profound impact on the Maori way of life, many aspects of traditional society have survived into the 21th century. 

Papua New Guinea:  Hula Tribe – It is believed that the first Papua New Guineans migrated to the island over 45000 years ago. Today, over 3 million people, half of the heterogeneous population, live in the highlands.  Some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbours for millennia.  The tribes fight over land, pigs and women.  Great effort is made to impress the enemy.  The largest tribe, the Huli wigmen, paint their faces yellow, red and white and are famous for their tradition of making ornamented wigs from their own hair.  An axe with a claw completes the intimidating effect.

Russia: The Nenet Tribe – The Nenets are reindeer herders, migrating across the Yamal peninsula, thriving for more then a millennium with temperatures from minus 50°C in winter to 35°C in summer.  Their annual migration of over a 1000 km includes a 48 km crossing of the frozen waters of the Ob River.  The discovery of oil and gas reserves in the 1970s and the expanding infrastructure on the peninsula, has challenged their indigenous lifestyle.  From the late Stalin period, all children have been enrolled in Soviet boarding schools, this has become a part of the typical Nenets life cycle.

Siberia: Kazakh Tribe – The Kazakhs are the descendants of Turkic, Mongolic and Indo-Iranian tribes and Huns that populated the territory between Siberia and the Black Sea.  They are a semi-nomadic people and have roamed the mountains and valleys of western Mongolia with their herds since the 19th century.  The ancient art of eagle hunting is one of many traditions and skills that the Kazakhs have, in recent decades, been able to hold on to.  They rely on their clan and herds, believing in pre-Islamic cults of the sky, the ancestors, fire and the supernatural forces of good and evil spirits.