The Tower of Babel

Masai Mara, the traditional territory of the Masai tribe, straddling the border of Kenya and Tanzania, is the setting for this episode of The Tower of Babel, in which we approach a Manyata, a traditional Masai dwelling, to attend the ceremonies in which the boys become warriors.

Situated between Siberia and China, Mongolia and the lives of its inhabitants have always been conditioned by the climate. The endless winters make farming practically impossible and endanger any livestock. That is why Mongolia has always been home to nomads.

The Mekong River is the most important travel route in Southeast Asia. Thousands of Vietnamese who make their living as traders live on its waters. Following the Vietnam War, which completely transformed the country, Vietnamese society has gradually recovered its ancient traditions.

The indigenous communities of Paraguay experienced their own particular end of the world during the Chaco War. The Bolivian and Paraguayan armies fought this territorial war on the traditional lands of ethnic groups such as the Ayoreo, the Maká, the Nivaclé, and the Lengua. Since that time, these cultures have tried to survive outside their traditional territories.

The King of Kaya has a castle in the middle of the savanna, in the desolate lands of the old Upper Volta. A traditional court survives there, with its warriors, its troubadours, its harem, and its subjects, who come to the court each year to pay the taxes they owe their Lord.

Peru is the South American country where the importance of its traditions is most evident. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived here, the indigenous cultures were greatly endangered. The Andean peoples lost their lands, they were forbidden to speak their language, and even their gods were prohibited.