Deserts of Africa, The

This is a beautiful study of the Sahara, Rift Valley, Kalahari and Namib, and the people who live in the respective areas. It is accompanied by a CD of music The Garden Of Mirrors by Stephan Micus. The impressive photographs are complemented by an informative text dealing with the beauty of these deserts and the life and cultures of the people that inhabit them. For example, the Bororo of Senegal and Chad, the Tuareg, and the Tubu of the Tibesti Mountains are discussed under Sahara: Sea Without Water, an area with two and a half million people.

Rift Valley: Land Of Nomads provides a window on Djibouti, Somalia and the Tanzanian Highlands with information on the Afar, Issa, Danakil and Maasai peoples. The San (Bushmen) people live in the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa, but this desert encompasses the wetlands of the Okavango River and its verdant delta. The Namib, a coastal desert of Namibia adjacent to the Kalahari, is considered the oldest desert on earth. The Damara, Herero and Himba peoples are covered here.

Of the photographs, the ones that impressed me most are those of the weird volcano the Trau au Natron in the Tibesti Mountains. There are also several examples of rock art from the Sahara and Southern Africa. The appendix includes a map of each desert, a portrait of the author, acknowledgements and a facts section. Under the title Ornaments, there are examples of Arabic and Tuareg writing and rock art.

Besides the vocals, the instruments on the enclosed CD are the Bolombatto (harp), the Sinding (harp), the Nay (reed flute), the Shakuhachi (bamboo flute), the Suling (reed flute) and the tin whistle. Track listing: Earth, Passing Cloud, Violeta, Flowers In Chaos, In The High Valleys, Gates Of Fire, Mad Bird, Night Circle and Words Of Truth.

A magical book. (7/7 people found this helpful)

Martin has travelled through the whole of Africa - but has evidently lost his heart to the deserts. He captures the intimacy of this misunderstood land, and conveys it to the reader with a forceful passion. The photographs carry such light, colour and vibrancy that you are drawn again and again to the book to look further into the pictures. However, Martin's work comes into its own with the delicacy he captures within the portraits displayed through the work. A natural energy and passion, which is a tribute to Martins time and patience, combine to build up a wonderful cultural ride. It is spellbinding. I challenge anybody not to be moved by the images conveyed by the words and photos. This is a stunning book that should be read over time. Buy it.

Michael Martin

Reader Reviews:

Beautiful photos, informative text and a music CD! (3/3 people found this helpful)

A magical book. (7/7 people found this helpful)

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