The Tribal Eye
The Tribal Eye is a seven-part BBC documentary series presented by David Attenborough, exploring the emotions which lie behind the masks and decorations of primitive people. Through the series, David Attenborough gives us a fascinating guide to the world's tribal art traveling to intriguing places and tribal communities. David Attenborough begins his journey with a look at the life and customs of the Dogon people in Mali. And then he explores several other intriguing tribal cultures in the world: the art and cultures of the North West American Indians; the wealth and culture of the Aztecs and Incas; the bronze artifacts from the Benin Kingdom in modern day Nigeria; rugs made by tribeswomen of Asia and the Middle East; and tribal customs in Melanesia. On the final program, David Attenborough revisits several of the locations of the previous programs and discusses the effect the outside world is having on tribal life and art.
| Episode 1 - Behind the Mask |
Episode 1 - Behind the Mask
This episode centers on the life and customs of the Dogon people in Mali, concentrating primarily on their masks and mask rituals.
Episode 2 - Crooked Beak of Heaven
This episode investigates the rich culture of the North West American Indians, including The Haida of present-day British Columbia and Alaska and the Gitxsan of Skeena Country.
Episode 3 - The Sweat of the Sun
This episode investigates the wealth and culture of Central and Southern American tribes: Aztecs and Incas.
Episode 4 - Kingdom of Bronze
400 years ago the kingdom of Oba in Benin was a very powerful and splendid domain in West Africa. Today Benin city is a bustling Nigerian town and the society of bronze-makers still produces bronzes in the manner of its ancestors.
Episode 5 - Woven Gardens
This episode looks at beautiful rugs woven by tribeswomen of Central Asia and the Middle East, which were the first examples of exotic art to be appreciated by the West.
Episode 6 - Man Blong Custom
The bush people of Malekula in the New Hebrides still use skulls to make sculptures. In the Solomon Islands a movement has arisen dedicated to the revival of tribal customs.
Episode 7 - Across the Frontiers
David Attenborough revisits several of the locations of the previous programs and discusses the effect the outside world is having on tribal life and art.
| Related Links |
| The Tribal Eye - wikipedia The Tribal Eye is a seven-part BBC documentary series on the subject of tribal art, written and presented by David Attenborough. It was first transmitted in 1975. |
| Hidden Treasures of African Art Is there such a thing as pure African art? Griff starts his investigation in the Bandiagara Escarpment in Mali, where the Dogon people have used their carvings and sculptures as a spiritual tool to help them survive. |
| The Miracle of Bali This is a BBC documentary series narrated by David Attenborough, about the culture of Bali. |
| Lost Kingdoms of Africa This is a four-part BBC documentary series presented by Gus Casely-Hayford, exploring the pre-colonial history of some of Africa's most important kingdoms. |
| Lost Kingdoms of South America This is a BBC documentary series presented by archaeologist Dr Jago Cooper, revealing the extraordinary history of some of South America's ancient civilizations. |