. People . Places . Crafts .
Venice is meant to be a fairytale of gondolas and historic canals, but nothing prepared me for the moment a portal to another world opened up right in the middle of a tourist crowd.
The breathtaking architecture and centuries of heritage easily merit its reputation as one of the most romantic cities in the world. I cannot disagree, and I urge everyone to experience it. However, what has stayed with me is an encounter so unexpected that Venice suddenly became the least interesting part of the trip.
There are certain experiences you might expect from Venice, but being face to face with an ancient culture in the narrow streets of Italy is not one of them.
As I glanced around, the crowds had not even registered the strikingly out of place sight right in front of them. I was mesmerised, unsure if this was real or my own Venice fairytale. Fortunately, I snapped out of it quickly. My husband and I, who are as curious as each other, could not help ourselves. We had to chat. We had to know more.
His traditional garments were what caught my eye. Stripped of any western clothing, he was wearing the most incredible hornbill feather headdress, and a long thin cassowary quill was pierced through his nasal septum. His short frame was overshadowed by my petite 5ft 3 self. Yet, while his quiet demeanour felt tranquil, his aura felt as grand as the historic buildings surrounding us.
Standing right next to me in the middle of Venice’s tourist crowd was a Huli chief. A prominent traditional leader from the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea. His name was Mundiya Kepanga.
Chief Mundiya wasn’t wandering the canals alone. But accompanied by his long time friend, French filmmaker and photographer Marc Dozier, who has dedicated his career to the cause. The fascinating documentary Brothers of the Forest, gives an insight into the forest conservation work they are advocating for.
It turned out, Chief Mundiya was on his way to meet the Pope. He has been invited to speak about ecological preservation, and was traveling the world to give a voice to the trees. Unfortunately, my invite got lost in the post. But between us, I would pick a meeting with Chief Mundiya, Ambassador of the Forest, any day. Is there a cooler title?
I later watched his meeting with the Pope online. You could genuinely feel the warmth and the pure joy of him advocating for such a critical cause.
Long before this encounter, I remember being told of the dangers of Papua New Guinea. I was captivated by stories of visitors travelling with police escorts just to reach earths last true paradise. Now, when I think of it, I think of Chief Mundiya, and the peace he wants to bring to the world. Perhaps one day, I will have the honour of meeting him in his homeland, where I can experience first hand the forest he devotes himself to.
When I reflect on rare encounters like this, my mind goes back to other parts of the world. I remember sitting with the nomadic San community in the vast Kalahari desert, learning how they read the earth to survive. I think about trekking the hills of Sapa, Vietnam, listening to the Flower H’mong hill tribe share ancient tales of the land.
I notice these communities all share similar values. They maintain a connection and respect for the world around them and see nature as a crucial partner in life.
It is moments like this that inspire this archive. I often wonder if there are others out there who feel drawn by this same invisible magnetic field, a pull toward areas of the world that hold such a deep connection to people and nature.
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If you’ve ever wanted to sit around a campfire listening to stories about wildlife, adventure check out Tracks & Sutures by Suravi .
Her publication shows a deep connection to the wildlife, particularly big cats. She shares stories from the wild with a level of honesty that feels incredibly refreshing. Bringing you closer to a world most of us rarely get to see.
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In the OSI archive
A Society Without Status
Imagine a world where there is no hierarchy, where the landscape is your supermarket and understanding the earth is how you survive.
Awesome post, as always. Thank you so much for the shout out about me! Really appreciate it!