For thousands of years, members of the Zoroastrian faith of South Asia have relied on vultures to help in their burial rites. Known as a “sky burial,” the custom was described by Herodotus 2,500 years ago. Today, Meera Subramanian reports for Science and Spirit, the ancient culture and customs are being threatened as the population of South Asian vultures faces extinction. The birds have proven incapable of ingesting diclofenac, a drug that was used to treat an estimated 5 million animals annually, and some scientist believe that extinction is inevitable. The government has banned the drug in livestock, imposing a gradual phaseout, but many scientists believe the efforts are ineffective. Since the religion bans both cremation and burial, the Zoroastrian community is already facing a crisis of how to care for their dead.

Image by Brandobras, licensed under Creative Commons.

The cultural history of Brazil is in danger. The roots of the country’s world-famous music, as well as its folk medicine, storytelling, dances, and visual arts, lie in traditions that could die out as the older generation ages. The government-sponsored Griô Action program is designed to protect this endangered culture by finding the keepers of historical knowledge and helping them pass on their music, games, and traditions to a new generation.

In this video, Elizabeth Dwoskin, author of “Slave Songs in Brazil” in the March-April issue of Utne Reader, talks about the Griô Action program and defenders of Brazil’s traditions.

—Bennett Gordon

To hear more Brazilian music from the members of Griô Action, click on the links below. 

Listen Now:

 Lullaby: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

Listen Now:

 More music: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download