Great Tribes presents a phenomenal programme about
tribal gatherings around the world. One way or another
we are all part of a tribe and unite together in celebration
to commemorate the  different stages in life, whether
it be a birth, coming of age, illness, marriage or death.
These ceremonies are full of rituals and mystery and
are often linked to old tribal beliefs and traditions.
Our presenters travel the globe to uncover some great
tribes and their 'rites of passage'.
Initiation ceremonies mark the time when young men
and women move to the next stage of life and assume
more adult responsibilities. They undergo a series of
rituals preparing them for their new role. Presenters
are invited to painful ceremonies conducted by the Satere Maue tribe in Brazil's Amazon
Rain Forest; whereas the less sadistic Ni
Vanuatu people of the South Pacific have been
practising a very unusual airborne initiation rites
for centuries, vine jumping - the original bungee jumping. Ian Wright sees one of Madagascar's
most bizarre pastimes, zebu wrestling where young boys fight off ferocious zebu cattle in
honour of them coming of age.
Courtship is another reason to celebrate. Holly
Morris meets the Wodaabe tribe
in North Central Africa, who have one of the most unique
courtship ceremonies when handsome men decorate themselves
and dance in front of a panel of female judges.
After courting comes marriage, a much
loved celebration the world over. From Bedouin nomadic
weddings in Jordan and brides and grooms dancing ritualistic
steps in the Cote D'Ivoire to the more sombre wedding
occasion of Nimba tribe in the Himalayas
and ram fighting on wedding nights
in Uzbekistan.
Death Rituals are the last transitional
right. Introducing some one to the world of spirits.
The Ga tribe of Ghana, believe that
people that people should be buried in a style reflecting
there lives. For example a man who worked as a mason
has a coffin in the form of a giant trowel. For the Toraja people in the Indonesian island
of Sulawasi, Shilpa Mehta learns that
buffalo, the most highly prized animal, plays an essential
role in their death rituals.
In Benin, voodoo plays an integral role; worshipers make animal sacrifices
to honour the voodoo spirit. Blood is daubed on to the
feet of those who want a special favour from the gods;
the most extraordinary part of the ceremony is the possession
of dancers and the beating of drums to create the rhythm
that allows the worshipers to enter into a trance.
Justine
Shapiro ends our tribal ceremonies with the Miao hill tribe in South West China and she finds out how
they keep parts of their ancestors very close, by wearing
their ancestors' hair wrapped around ox horns, which
represent their strength.
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