For thousands of years, traditional societies have been coping with the same problems of human existence that we face today. Yet, until recently, the modern world has tended to ignore their possible contributions, which can offer different views of the world to significantly enlarge our understanding of what humanity really is. From the deserts of Africa to the rainforests of Brazil, this book investigates traditional societies and gains insight into alternative ways of living by exploring different approaches to marriage, wealth, law and order, cultural integration, spirituality and wisdom. The book ties in with a ten-part BBC television series.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Harvard anthropologist Maybury-Lewis argues that the ancient wisdom, communal sharing and closeness to nature found in tribal societies hold survival lessons for our modern industrial society steeped in wastes and rootlessness. The companion volume to a PBS television series hosted by the author, this beautiful, intriguing album surveys 11 traditional societies, from the Gabra who thrive in Kenya's northern desert to the Makuna Indians of Colombia whose belief in the sacredness of fish-spawning places helps prevent plundering. Spliced with stunning photographs, engravings and maps in jazzy layouts, the text examines how indigenous peoples negotiate gender identity, family ties, sex, governance, old age, death and all-pervasive religious beliefs while fending off technological onslaught. An enlightening multicultural primer. 100,000 first printing; BOMC and QPB selections; author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a lot for us to learn,
This review is from: Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World (Hardcover)
This is an awesome book. I am not an anthropologist and so cannot comment on its research methods etc. I can, however, attest that this book articulated a strongly post-colonial viewpoint and made me think deeply about the way we live in "developed" countries. The anthropological information is constructed around Maybury-Lewis's story of living with the Xavante people, and this biographical aspect of the book's construction helps to engage readers further with the ideological orientation of the text. I loved the photographs, the inserts about various historical writings on anthropological issues. My favourite part of the book is when David and his family witness a "log race" whilst living with the Xavante - we witness the beauty of a life lived without pointless competition and egotism. Maybury-Lewis' book is one of my favourite resources and I re-read it regularly for spiritual and intellectual respite.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The beauty of the world,
By
This review is from: Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World (Hardcover)
Living in the modern world, many of us are disconnected from nature; even many of the natural forests and parks modern people visit have been sanitized for human visitation. As such, we consider those who live "in nature" to be wild and uncultured. This book proves quite the opposite; some of the richest cultures that exist are those that live "in nature". David Maybury-Lewis traveled the world to visit native tribes that still lived in nature, and examined their cultures. He brings these societies to life with beautiful photographs and wonderful descriptions. Thru these descriptions, he shows how people in different parts of the world learned to live with nature, to accomodate themselves to it, and to respect it. Likewise, he shows how these societies have learned to create stable, self-sustaining societies that do not exhaust their natural resources. This book is a companion to the PBS television show of the same name. Though I have never seen the show, reading this book now makes me want to. I highly recommend this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tribal wisdom for world that needs it,
This review is from: Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World (Hardcover)
Well written, well put together, convincing, engaging. I loved this book when it came out, lost it, tracked down another copy later and still love this book. Beautiful photography in there too btw, stunning. I never saw the PBS series...it seems like it is only available on VHS.
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