Authors: Wade Davis
For the Kiowa see: J. Mooney, “Calendar History
of the Kiowa, Indians,”
Seventeenth Annual Report of the Bureau of
American Ethnology
(Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press,
1898), 129–445;
One River
(New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996); Weston
LaBarre,
The Peyote Cult
(1938), 5th ed., enl. (Norman: University of
Oklahoma Press, 1989). For the systematic elimination of the buffalo, see:
Andrew Isenberg,
The Destruction of the Bison: An Environmental
History, 1750–1920
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000).
For the horrors of the rubber era in the Putumayo, see: Norman Thomson,
The Putumayo Red Book
(London: N. Thomson & Co., 1913); R. Collier,
The River that God Forgot
(London: Collins, 1968); W. E. Hardenburg,
The Putumayo: The Devil’s Paradise
(London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1912); B. Weinstein,
The Amazon Rubber Boom, 1850–1920
(Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press,
1983).
For the voices of the Penan and the quotes from
various Malaysian officials, see: Wade Davis, Ian MacKenzie, and Shane
Kennedy,
Nomads of the Dawn: The Penan of the Borneo
Rain Forest
(San Francisco: Pomegranate Press, 1995). To
support Bruno Manser’s legacy, please contact Bruno Manser Fonds,
www.bmf.ch/en/. See also: “Dreams of a Jade Forest,” a profile I wrote of
Bruno, later published in
The Clouded Leopard
(Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1998), 57–72.
For Pol Pot and the Killing Fields see: David
Chandler,
Brother Number One: A Political Biography of
Pol Pot
(Boulder, Col.: Westview Press, 1999); Dith Pran,
Children of Cambodia’s Killing Fields: Memoirs
by Survivors
(Chiang Mai, Thailand: Silkworm Books, 1997); Ben
Kiernan’s
How Pol Pot Came to Power: Colonialism,
Nationalism, and Communism in Cambodia, 1930–1975
(New Haven, Ct.: Yale University Press, 2004),
and
The Pol Pot Regime: Race, Power, and Genocide
in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, 1975–79
(New Haven, Ct.: Yale University Press, 2008);
and Loung Ung,
First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of
Cambodia Remembers
(New York: Perennial, 2000).
The best single history of Tibet since the
Chinese revolution is: Tsering Shakya,
The Dragon in the Land of the Snows: A History
of Modern Tibet since 1947
(New York: Columbia University Press, 1999). See
also: M. C. Goldstein,
A History of Modern Tibet, 1913–1951
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989),
and Tubten Khetsun,
Memories of Life in Lhasa Under Chinese Rule
(New York: Columbia University Press, 2008). Two
fine popular histories are: Charles Allen,
The Search for Shangri-La: A Journey into
Tibetan History
(London: Little, Brown, 1999), and Patrick
French,
Tibet
,
Tibet: A Personal History of a Lost Land
(London: HarperCollins, 2003).
Matthieu Ricard and his father, philosopher
Jean-François Revel, spent a week in conversation at a teahouse in Katmandu.
Their unedited discussions are one of the best introductions to the Tibetan
dharma path. See: Jean-François Revel and Matthieu Ricard,
The Monk and the Philosopher: East Meets West
in a Father–Son Dialogue
(London: Thorsons, 1999). See also: Matthieu
Ricard and Trinh Xuan Thuan,
The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the
Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet
(New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999), as well as
the following works by Matthieu Ricard:
Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most
Important Skill
(New York: Little, Brown, 2007);
Motionless Journey: From a Hermitage in the
Himalayas
(London: Thames & Hudson, 2008);
Tibet: An Inner Journey
(London: Thames & Hudson, 2007);
Journey to Enlightenment: The Life and World of
Khyentse Rinpoche, Spiritual Teacher from Tibet
(New York: Aperture, 1996); and
Bhutan: The Land of Serenity
(London: Thames & Hudson, 2009).
For the plight of the pastoral nomads of northern
Kenya, see: Elliot Fratkin and Eric Abella Roth, eds.,
As Pastoralists
Settle: Social, Health, and Economic Consequences of the Pastoral
Sedentarization in Marsabit District
,
Kenya
(New York: Springer, 2005); Carolyn Lesorogol,
Contesting the Commons: Privatizing Pastoral
Lands in Kenya
(Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2008).
For a beautiful and informative illustrated book, see: Nigel Pavitt,
Samburu
(New York: Henry Holt, 1991). See also my
discussion in
Light at the Edge of the World
(Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2007).
For a brilliant perspective on the consequences
of the breakdown of culture, see: Robert Kaplan’s
The Ends of the Earth: From Togo to
Turkmenistan, from Iran to Cambodia, a Journey to the Frontiers of Anarchy
(New York: Vintage, 1997), and
The Coming Anarchy: Shattering the Dreams of
the Post Cold War
(New York: Vintage, 2001). See also: John
Bodley’s
Victims of Progress
, 5th ed. (Lanham, Md.: Altamira Press,
2008), and
Anthropology and Contemporary Human Problems
, 5th ed. (Lanham, Md.: Altamira Press, 2008).
For the atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo see: Bob Herbert,
“The Invisible War,”
New York Times
(February 21, 2009), A17.
There is, of course, a vast literature on the
Arctic, but were I to suggest three books they would be: Pierre Berton,
Arctic Grail: The Quest for the Northwest
Passage and the North Pole, 1818–1909
(Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press, 2000); Hugh Brody,
Living Arctic: Hunters of the Canadian North
(Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1990);
and Gretel Erhlich,
This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland
(New York: Vintage Books, 2003). For Peter
Freuchen, see his
Arctic Adventure: My Life in the Frozen North
(Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press, 2002), and
Book of the Eskimos
(London: Bramhall House, 1961). See also my essay
“Hunters of the Northern Ice,” in
The Clouded Leopard
(Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1998), 31–55.
For two superb books on the consequences of
climate change, especially in regard to glacial recession, see: Ben Orlove,
Ellen Wiegandt, and Brian Luckman, eds.,
Darkening Peaks: Glacial Retreat, Science, and
Society
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008),
and Gary Braasch,
Earth Under Fire: How Global Warming Is
Changing the World
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 2007).
See also: Thom Hartmann,
The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight
(New York: Three Rivers Press, 2004). On the
plight of the River Ganges, see: Emily Wax, “A Sacred River Endangered by
Global Warming,”
Washington Post
(June 17, 2007), A14. For the loss of the
stalagmite in Amarnath Cave, see: “Holy Stalagmite Can’t Take the Heat,” a
Guardian News Service report,
Globe and Mail
(July 3, 2007), L5. For the insect infestations
in the North American West, see: Jim Robbins, “Spread of Bark Beetle Kills
Millions of Acres of Trees in West,”
New York Times
(November 18, 2008), D3.
For splendid accounts of the Sahara, and of
Timbuktu and the salt caravans to Taoudenni, see: Michael Benanav,
Men of Salt: Across the Sahara with the Caravan
of White Gold
(Guilford, Conn.: Lyons Press, 2008); Mark
Kurlansky,
Salt: A World History
(New York: Walker and Co., 2002); Marq de
Villiers and Sheila Hirtle,
Sahara: A Natural History
(New York: Walker and Co., 2002); Mark Jenkins,
To Timbuktu: A Journey Down the Niger
(New York: Quill, 1998); William Langewiesche,
Sahara Unveiled: A Journey Across the Desert
(New York: Vintage Books, 1996).
For a final vision of hope, see the works of
Father Thomas Berry, especially
The Dream of the Earth
(San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1988);
Evening Thoughts: Reflecting on Earth as Sacred
Community
(San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 2006); and
The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future
(New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to acknowledge with gratitude the
many friends and colleagues who contributed to the expeditions that in good
measure inspired these lectures. At the National Geographic Society (NGS) I
would like to thank Terry Garcia and his team at Mission Programs, Susan
Reeve, Jim Bullard, Lynn Cutter, Greg McGruder, Deborah Benson, Mark Bauman
as well as Oliver Payne, Tim Kelly, Chris Leidel, Terry Adamson, John Fahey,
John Rasmus, Keith Bellows and Spencer Wells. The film series
Light at the Edge of the World
originated at National Geographic Channel
(Canada) and 90th Parallel Productions in Toronto, in partnership with the
National Geographic Channel (International). Thanks to Gordon Henderson,
Cindy Witten, Stephen Hunter, Martha Conboy, and especially to Sydney Suissa
and Andrew Gregg, who directed all four films. Andy and I had worked
together on an episode for the CBC biography strand
Life and Times
.
The idea of doing a longer series based on my book
Light at the Edge of the World
emerged out of that project, and it made for a
wonderful collaboration. For their terrific work in the field and studio my
thanks go to Rick Boston, Wade Carson, Paul Freer, Mike Josselyn, Geoff
Matheson, Sanjay Mehta and John Tran.
Thanks in Nepal to Tsetsam Ani, Sherab Barma,
Thomas Kelly, Matthieu Ricard, Trulshik Rinpoche, and particularly to
Carroll Dunham. In the Arctic thanks are due to the people of Igloolik and
Qaanaaq, and especially to John Arnatsiaq, Jens Danielsen, Graham Dickson,
Gretel Ehrlich, Theo Ikummaq, Olayuk and Martha Narqitarvik. Lori Dynan at
the NGS introduced me to Nainoa Thompson and the Polynesian Voyaging
Society. Special thanks to Lori and to Nainoa as well as Ka'iulani Murphy,
Tava Taupu, Jeffrey Omai and Mau Piailug. For guidance and insight on Rapa
Nui I am indebted to my friends Claudio Cristino, Alexandra Edwards, Edmundo
Edwards and Patricia Vargas. In Peru, Johan Reinhard and Nilda Callañaupa
shared their unique experiences and knowledge. I have known both for many
years, and as always they were a delight to be with.
For their support for the second series of films,
another four hours that were produced by National Geographic Television for
the National Geographic Channel, I would like to thank Stephen Hunter and
Sydney Suissa, as well as Marie Wiljanen, Victoria Kirker, Cherry Yates,
Korin Anderson, Tobias Louie, Nicole Teusch, Carrie Regan, and especially
John Mernit and his entire team at NG Television. It was a privilege to work
with three inspired directors, Graham Townsley in the Sierra Nevada, David
Shadrack Smith and his colleagues at Part2Pictures in Australia, and Howard
Reid in both Mongolia and the Northwest Amazon of Colombia. Thanks as well
to Jim Cricchi, Cindy D'Agostino, Robert Neufeld, Emmanuel Mairesse and Dan
Marks.
In Japan, my thanks go to Gaynor Sekimori, who
opened the doors to the Tendai monks and the rich traditions of Shugendo.
Werner Wilbert introduced me to the Winikina Warao in the Orinoco delta.
With Peter von Puttkamer I travelled to the Mazatec in Oaxaca, the Navaho in
New Mexico, and the Cofán in Ecuador where Randy Borman received us very
kindly. Charles Lindsay introduced me to the Mentawai of Siberut. In
Mongolia I had the good fortune to work with Dalanbayor, Jendupdorj,
Mukhdalai and family, Lama Pasang Suren, Lama Lusang Ravjam, Namjin and
family, Thomas Kelly, Carroll Dunham, Alfonse Roy, Nandu Kumar, and Bat
Amgalan Lhagvajav.
In the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of Colombia,
thanks are due to Jaime Andres Cujaban, Ramon Gill, Roberto Mojica, Peter
Diaz Porta, Alfonse Roy, Eugenio Villafaña, Danilo Villafaña and Rogelio
Mejia as well as to the many indigenous organizations who formally welcomed
our collaboration: Bunkwanarrua Tayrona, Organización Gonavindua Tayrona,
Organización Wiwa Yugumaian, Organización Indígena Kankwama, Confederación
Indígena Tayrona.
In Australia, Carrie Williamson introduced us to
Adam McFie, a brilliant anthropologist, who in turn brought us into the
world of Otto Bulmaniya Campion and his wife Christine and their wonderful
family, as well as Peter Djigirr, Peter Girrikirri, Richard Bandalil. Thanks
too to the Ramingining Rangers, Lindsay Wile, Jeremy Ashton, Ray Whear and
the Jawoyn Association and to anthropologist Bob Tonkinson for his advice
and guidance.
Time among the Barasana and their neighbours was
facilitated by Ambassador of Colombia to the United States Carolina Barco
and her colleagues Denisse Yanovich, Mercede Hannabergh de Uribe and General
Edgar Ceballos. The collaboration with Asociación de Capitanes Indígenas de
Piráparaná (ACAIPI) and the peoples of the Pirapará was made possible by my
good friend Martin von Hildebrand and his colleagues at Fundación Gaia
Amazonas, including Nelson Ortiz, Silvia Gomez, Natalia Hernández and Jorge
Kahi. In the field we were joined by anthropologist Stephen Hugh-Jones, who
shared his profound knowledge, acquired over a lifetime of intense
dedication to place, with an immense generosity of spirit. We were guided
along the way by Barasana and Makuna scholars of extraordinary depth,
insight and sensitivity: Maximiliano García, Roberto Marín, Ricardo Marín,
Rosa Marín, Reinel Ortega. Our crew, Ryan Hill, Peter Diaz Porta, Yesid
Ricardo Vasquez and Diana Rico, were joyous, a delight to work with. Thanks
as well to ACAIPI and to all the communities and peoples of the river.
The journey into the Sahara, described briefly at
the end of these lectures, was made possible by Roberto Cerea and his
remarkable team at TransAfrica. Joining us on that adventure and sharing
their wisdom were Alex and Caroline Chadwick, Isa Mohamed, Baba Omar and
Professor Salem Ould. In East Africa I was guided by Kevin Smith and
Jonathan Lengalen. My thanks in
Sarawak to all the Penan people and
their supporters, most notably Lejeng Kusin, Anderson Mutang Urud, Asik
Nyelit, Tu'o Pejuman and Mutang Tu'o, Ian MacKenzie, Bruno Manser and Peter
Brosius.
For everything else, all of these friendships
that made these adventures possible, the many people who provided a home, a
point of return, I would like to acknowledge Darlene and Jeff Anderson,
Monty and Pashan Bassett, Tom Buri, Natalie Charlton, Lavinia Currier, Simon
and Cindy Davies, Oscar Dennis, Lindsay and Patti Eberts, Clayton and Caryl
Eshleman, Stephen Ferry, Guujaaw, Peter Jakesta, Sven Lindblad, Barbara and
Greg MacGillivray, Peter Matson, David Maybury-Lewis, Frederico Medem,
Richard Nault, Richard Overstall, Tim Plowman, Travis Price, Rhoda Quock,
Tom Rafael, Chris Rainier, Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff, Richard Evans
Schultes, Dan Taylor, Kevin Smith, Peter and Sheera von Puttkamer, Tim Ward,
and Leo and Angie Wells.
At the CBC my thanks go to Philip Coulter and
Bernie Lucht. At House of Anansi Press I would like to thank Lynn Henry, a
wonderful editor, as well as Sarah MacLachlan, Laura Repas, Janie Yoon, and
Bill Douglas for his cover design.
As always, the final word of thanks goes to my
sister Karen and my loving family, Gail, Tara and Raina.