Living Cultures

Watch Living Cultures

  • NR
  • 2011
  • 1 Season

Living Cultures is a classic documentary series produced by Gaia that takes viewers on a journey across the world to explore traditional cultures that remain vibrant in the face of modernity. It provides an in-depth look at indigenous peoples' ways of life, traditional arts, and spiritual beliefs, as well as their ongoing struggles to preserve their heritage and adapt to the changing times.

The show aims to showcase how cultural richness and diversity are essential aspects of humanity's collective heritage, and offer an understanding of the importance of preserving cultural identity and protecting vulnerable communities.

Each episode of Living Cultures focuses on a particular community, providing an intimate portrait of its people and traditions. The series covers a wide range of cultures, from the Sami people of northern Scandinavia to the Maori of New Zealand, the Native Americans, and various tribes in Africa, Asia, and South America.

The host and narrator of Living Cultures is a seasoned anthropologist and author, who provides a well-researched and informative perspective on the cultures introduced in each episode. The host's narration is complemented by interviews with members of the communities, local experts, and cultural historians, who offer an insider's view on the beliefs, customs, and rituals of the featured cultures.

The show provides a detailed look at the daily lives of the people within each culture, showcasing their traditions and how they have adapted to the modern world. This includes their food, clothing, music, dance, and art, as well as their spiritual practices and beliefs.

Living Cultures also provides a platform for community leaders and cultural activists to discuss the challenges their communities face in the modern world. These challenges often include cultural erosion, marginalization, and, in some cases, oppression and exploitation by the dominant culture.

The series highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations that work to preserve and promote traditional cultures, as well as those that seek to empower indigenous peoples and protect their rights. This includes efforts to document and catalog traditional knowledge and practices, create cultural exchange programs, and establish indigenous schools and media outlets.

Living Cultures has received critical acclaim for its informative and respectful treatment of indigenous cultures. It is widely regarded as an excellent resource for anyone interested in anthropology, cultural studies, or issues related to cultural diversity and preservation.

In conclusion, Living Cultures provides an insightful and enriching look into the diverse and vibrant traditional cultures that continue to thrive in the modern world. It is a well-produced and informative documentary series that combines expert narration, beautiful cinematography, and first-hand accounts from the communities themselves. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and the need to protect and preserve the heritage of indigenous peoples worldwide.

Living Cultures
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Seasons
The Young Girl and the Monkey
13. The Young Girl and the Monkey
May 23, 2011
Sokhun is a survivor of the Khmer Rouge tragedy. She was once a famous dancer, and today contributes to the restoration of the Royal Ballet by teaching dance to children.
Magicians of Woodcraft
12. Magicians of Woodcraft
May 23, 2011
On the northwest coast of Madagascar live the Zafimaniry people, lumbermen famous for their incredible wood crafting abilities. The subtle and poetic geometric patterns of their work translate the principles that guide their lives.
The Tumba Francesa
11. The Tumba Francesa
May 23, 2011
In Cuba, Suleidis learns the Tumba Francesa, an old French dance that her ancestors have kept alive from the time they were slaves, hundreds of years ago.
To Play Kutiyattam with the Master
10. To Play Kutiyattam with the Master
May 23, 2011
Kutiyattam, which began in Kerala, India, is the only traditional Sanskirt theater in India today. An exotic and highly stylized theatrical form that arose inside the temple, Kutiyattam dates back at least 1000 years.
The Quest for the Gongs
9. The Quest for the Gongs
May 23, 2011
In the mountains of the southeast Vietnam, Ma Bio, a Chu Ru woman, is one the few people who plays the gong, an ancestral drum considered an Oral Masterpiece of Human Heritage by Unesco.
The Last Bedu of Petra and Wadi Rum
8. The Last Bedu of Petra and Wadi Rum
May 23, 2011
Abu Lafi is an old Bedouin from Petra. He comes from the Bdoul community, and is from one of the last families to live inside the archeological site of Petra. But in recent years, the desert traditions have slowly been lost and the Bedouins are losing their identities.
Morin Khuur: The Soul of the Mongolian Horseman
7. Morin Khuur: The Soul of the Mongolian Horseman
May 23, 2011
The steppes of Mongolia, in the heart of central Asia, sometimes echo with the haunting sound of music that reaches into the hearts of animals and men. It is the sound of the morin khuur, a unique traditional fiddle, developed from the bond between the horsemen people and their mounts.
Red Skin
6. Red Skin
May 23, 2011
In northern Amazonia, in one of the most inaccessible forests of Brazil, the Wajapi live an existence preserved from modern influence
The Makishi Masquerade
5. The Makishi Masquerade
May 23, 2011
Every April, in Zambia, the Makishi demons come to take away young boys. This event celebrates the beginning of the initiation from adolescence to manhood. In the village of Kashushu, this Mukanda ceremony is 500 years old and has been passed down orally for generations.
Kallawaya, Son Of Lightning
4. Kallawaya, Son Of Lightning
May 23, 2011
In the high valleys of the Bolivian Andes, the Kallawayan doctors have a unique know-how, legendary throughout all of South America, which they have transmitted from father to son - for centuries.
Kabuki, the Path of the Flowers
3. Kabuki, the Path of the Flowers
May 23, 2011
In the four centuries of its tumultuous existence, Kabuki has become one of the leading symbols of Japanese culture. But will there be enough younger students willing to learn Kabuki and so keep the tradition alive?
The Celestial Dance of Bhutan
2. The Celestial Dance of Bhutan
May 23, 2011
Each year, in the far reaches of Bhutan, monks gather in the mountains to prepare for several days of dancing and meditation.
The Baaka Opera
1. The Baaka Opera
May 23, 2011
Strange music emerges from the dense jungle of Africa's equatorial forest. It is the sound of the Baaka pygmies. Their life is a never-ending song, expressing their intense spirituality and their deep communion with the forest.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    May 23, 2011
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