The story of The Ghost Rainforest
A ritual blessing ©Duncan McGlynn
In November 2021, a group of five indigenous leaders from different tribes in the Amazon rainforest travelled to Glasgow to take part in COP26. They came to speak to world leaders and delegates from around the globe, on the issues facing their people, and the precious habitats that they rely on for survival.
Supported by Association Jiboiana, Narubia Werreria, Thaline Karajá, Val Munduruku and twin brothers Siã and Busã Huni Kuin attended several formal events in Glasgow. Then, on November 7, they left the city behind and set out on a journey to visit a very different sort of rainforest, and one that’s much less famous than the Amazon.
Their special trip took them to Cormonachan Community Woodlands in Argyll, where they were introduced to Scotland’s temperate rainforest, and performed a sacred ritual blessing.
Narubia Werreria from the Amazon rainforest performs a blessing ©Duncan McGlynn
The event was led by Raleigh International (which sadly went into liquidation earlier this year) with support from Woodland Trust Scotland and Plantlife Scotland, and was intended to help raise awareness of the issues facing this rare habitat, and the shared struggle to protect it.
The group performed a 30-minute ritual amongst the trees, involving dancing, drumming and chanting. They then travelled to Lochgoilhead Village Hall for a cultural exchange event along with locals, climate activists, local MSPs, partners of the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest, and young people from Raleigh International’s Re:Green volunteering programme.
You can watch the whole story through the remarkable film below: The Ghost Rainforest.
Huge thanks to the following Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest partner organisations, who supported the making of this film: Woodland Trust Scotland, Plantlife Scotland, RSPB Scotland, John Muir Trust, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, Reforesting Scotland, and Scottish Land & Estates, as well as private individuals.
Thanks also to Earthrise Studio, Dr Viv Cumming, John Davies and Alice Aedy.
