1. Basil Davidson's Mastering A Continent - In this documentary, Davidson visits three African groups - the Pokot - a pastoralist group that lives in Kenya and parts of Uganda, the Dogon - a West African group that lives in Mali on the Bandiagara escarpment, and the Sucor - a West African group that lives in northern Nigeria and northern Cameroon. He shows similarities and differences between all three groups. The Pokot are herding people who believe cattle are a symbol of wealth. The Dogon are a scientific people who know the solar system and discovered constellations in ancient times. They live in the hills of the Bandiagara escarpment. The escarpment is where they fled to avoid slave raiders. The people of Sukkor are blacksmiths and agrarians. This documentary shows the difference in lifestyles, yet portrays the communality of life for all three groups. Very good and informative indeed.
2. Caribbean Crucible - This is one of my favorites! I traveled through Jamaica and the Dominican Republic watching this. Basically, this documentary shows the many Africanisms and syncretic practises in these two countries. My favorite part is when they show the kumina (a practice brought to Jamaica by indentured servants from the Congo). The kumina is performed during the "time of kill di goat" and "when you have somebody dead." Though this documentary is mainly about various music forms indigenous to the Caribbean, they unintentionally went a lot deeper by studying the religious aspects of the islands. The only misgiving I have about this film is that I wished they had shown more islands in the Caribbean.Of course, you cannot make a documentary like this without visiting the Maroons. My children love watching this as well. My husband has forbidden cable, so we're raising little armchair travelers, lol. Oh, Big Youth (thee of the red, gold, and green diamonds in his teeth) is also a young fella in this one.
3. Quilombo Country - Aw, Brazil! I bought my copy of Quilombo Country long before Chuck D narrated it. I don't know if they've changed anything, but I like the version I have. This documentary shows traditional "African" villages in modern-day Brazil. Quilombolas - as they are called - build their own houses, fetch water from the river, and catch and eat armadillo (yummy!) This movie shows the beauty of the Brazilian countryside, Brazilian folktales (i.e. Saci Perere and Matita Peirera), and how the Quilombolas fight to save their heritage and history. One of my favorites as well.Here's a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmES6seCt3II
4. Born Musicians - The musicians of Mali who are born into musical families and have a musical lineage that has been passed down are called jalis. They generally come from the Mandinka people of Mali. This documentary shows the lives of different jalis and their families. It also shows the various instruments they have constructed from very rudimentary means. A calabash and a bowl of water becomes a waterdrum. The balafon is an instrument that makes beautiful music and is closely related to a xylophone. The balafon predates the xylophone. A very lively part in this documentary is when they show a wedding between a Mandika and a Fula. Very rhythmic and lively time! The dancing is on point too.
5. Masaai Women - Interesting look at the Masaai of Kenya and Tanzania. In this documentary, a British woman visits the women and asks questions that are none of her business and tries to push off her feminist ways on them. Other that that, it shows how the women view themselves, their appreciation for co-wives, and a marriage. If a Masaai woman marries into another village, the women of that village follow her, insulting her all the while. Get out of your box in America and watch the documentary to find out why this is. Also, after hearing what one woman says about her co-wife, it kind of made me wish I could've had one after my children were born. Here's a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i-MGRgvVOo In my version, the narrator is British. I guess they've switched narrators in this one.
6. Professor William Found, York University, Department of Geography - I love this guy! He travels around the Caribbean under the guise of studying the terrain and geography of each country. We can tell he's really on vacation, but I love, love, love his documentaries - and he's a funny guy. The documentary I like most of all is the one on Dominica - The Nature Isle. We learn the history of Dominica. Self-proclaimed tour guide Rasta Bobby, shows The Professor (as me and hubby call him) around and takes him to a rasta village. We also mingle with Carib Indians, view the architecture of Dominica and meet with local historian, Lennox Honeychurch. Watching this video makes me want to move! Another one of the professor's video that I like is the one about Saba. Saba is a weird place high on a mountain that has a water shortage. All the water you use or drink there will be rainwater. All the buildings are cramped together because the island is so small. The airport with the shortest runway on earth is located in Saba. Slaves that were brought to Saba were brought there not to cultivate the land, but to carry packages for their masters. Interesting! He takes us on a trip to Montserrat where the volcano has just erupted. He can't land anywhere on the island because of all the lava, but it's nice feeling like we're in the plane with him as he explains what it looked before the volcano erupted. He also visits the Virgin Islands, Barbados, St. Eustatis, St. Maarten, and Trinidad. When I want to get away, I love watching his homemade documentaries. So nice and relaxing. Here's Dr. York's website for those of you who might want to take a peek: http://www.arts.yorku.ca/geog/wfound/video/index.html
I hope you enjoy your armchair travels as much as I do!
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