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Last weekend I watched an episode of the Tribe Series by Bruce Parry. I don’t think you can get this series outside of the UK, but Bruce is an ex-marine who immerses himself in remote communities deeply connected to the world around them. He first started this exploration in 2005, but has spent 10 years away from it before returning for 3 episodes. I’ve always been fascinated by this, so I was delighted it was back. I also used to have a crush on Bruce, (don’t tell my husband).
He fully throws himself into the experience. The culture, the food, the traditions, however challenging they may be to experience or observe. He is always respectful and helps out the communities in any way possible whilst he is there. They are often people who have never left their community and never welcomed outsiders in.
What always becomes apparent is that when people live in true community, when they’ve known nothing else. They are totally reliant on each other. For food, for medicine, for healing, for family, for connection. It’s not a question of whether or not you want to be included, it’s a matter of survival. It comes with hard work, sacrifice and the unwavering faith in what you believe in, whether that’s forest spirits, ancestors or the entrails of chickens telling them whether or not he can stay in the village. It’s what matters to them. In their piece of the world.
They do not worry about what other people believe or what they think about them, because they are not and do not need to be aware or influenced by them. It’s an innocence that is the bond that ties them together and the strength that prevents them from drifting apart. Yet it is also a power of belief so strong that it is not questioned or denied in any way.
They take the responsibility of passing on what has been upheld by their ancestors for generations very seriously. It is an honour and a privelege, but it is also something that they wouldn’t think of casting aside in favour of an easier or different existence.
Of course there are exceptions to that rule where the creeping in of the modern world is evident, but these tribes are specifically chosen because their exposure to the outside world is at a minimum. These are precious ecosystems that hang in a precarious balance as the encroachment of outsiders becomes more and more inevitable.
The role of ancestors
In the episode I watched last night with the Marapu tribe where the dead ancestors are buried amongst the living in tombstones that are part of the village landscape. One of the community asked if Bruce had the same connection to his ancestors. He explained that they didn’t really in their culture and the tribe member said he was sad for him. “He was like a peanut without a shell”. They have ancestors to protect and guide them, they know no different and they wouldn’t be without this thread that holds their community together. How many of us can say we have that same connection?
They don’t fear death, because they know they will be joining their ancestors and they will remain part of the community.
Bruce is often emotional when he leaves the communities, they become very fond of him. An elder from this village felt as though he was like his son. At one point he said “I love you” when he gives them food as a departing gift, when the village was on the point of starvation. He was able to express his gratitude in a heartfelt way, because no-one would be pointing out this wasn’t the done thing.
We can learn so much from these indigenous communities and for me in it lies some of the key to where we are aiming for to rebuild our shattered societies.
It’s why connecting to our own ancestors not just on a surface level, but getting to know who they are, what is meaningful to them and what they wish us to know about the way their civilisation can help bring about the change that we need. They can help us revive this spirit of community, the ancient wisdom and sacred connection that got lost along the way.
I am really interested to be engaging with my ancestors on a deeper level to truly understand what it took to not only survive, but thrive in a landscape where nothing was taken without consent and where spirit bound them to the land, so that they gave it the respect it deserved without question. I am so excited to explore more.
Reflective Questions
What does community mean to you?
If you were to connect to your ancestors what might they share with you about community? What would you like to ask them in return?
What elements of community would you like to reintroduce, ressurect or reconnect to?
I’ll be away for a few days, so may not get to respond to you until I get back. I’ll be by the sea and I cannot wait!
Blessings of love and magic,
Louise x
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Oh Louise, I love this! 🤗💖 Such a beautiful reflection, and it means a great deal to me to witness your relationship with your ancestors. This work is at the very heart of my life, and I feel such a strong resonance with what you’ve shared here, especially the image of being like “a peanut without a shell.” Oh my gosh, that really hit home. That metaphor carries so much truth. I’ve experienced again and again how reweaving relationship with the ancestors shifts everything: our sense of belonging, our orientation to death, our way of being in community. It’s not about nostalgia or idealizing the past, but about remembering the threads of sacred reciprocity and responsibility that many of our lineages held before they were broken. I’m so grateful to be walking alongside you as you open to this ancient, living connection.
Ancestors, spirit guides - I know they are always with me, whether I'm tuned into them or not. I'm always touched by how my ancestors show and teach me so much! And what that takes is me bringing a focused intention to be with them. Which has also been the challenge as of late.
Another observation is that in our western culture we are starved of this connection. Death is feared, and the dying are tucked away, hidden in nursing homes and the like. If we can't connect to death, how can we truly connect with our ancestors?