The novel, Wolf Totem, is a riveting semi-autobiographical story about the experiences of a young student in Beijing, China who is sent to the countryside of Inner Mongolia in 1967, during China's Cultural Revolution.
The book is written by Lu Jiamin (under the pseudonym of JiangRong) whose true identity was revealed only after publication several years later.
He was inspired by accident to write the book after witnessing a pack of wolves chase a herd of sheep off a cliff and then drag their bodies into a cave. At first terrified, but then absolutely fascinated by the wolve's intelligence and teamwork, the author began to study them and their relationship with the local nomads. He became so enthralled with the wolves that he even attempted to domesticate one.
The novel is narrated by protagonist Chen Zhen who just like the author left Beijing during the Cultural Revolution to work in Inner Mongolia.
The story is told through the descriptions of folk traditions, rituals, and life on the steppe. It compares the culture of the ethnic Mongolian nomads and the Han Chinese farmers who settled in their territory, praising the "wolf like freedom, independence, respect, teamwork and competition" of the nomads and criticising the "autocratic, sheeplike" nature of the farmers.
The book also condemns the agricultural collectivisation imposed on the nomads by the farmers and the ecological disasters it caused.
It ends with a 60-page "call to action" which is disconnected from the main thread of the novel.
Wolf Totem has received more than 10 literary prizes, as well as other recognitions, despite Jiang's stated refusal to attend any awards ceremonies or participate in any publicity activities. It is a highly recommended book to read, combining a strong social statement along with the author's love and knowledge of wolves.
Veronique Renaud is a french wildlife painter and photographer.
She has specialized about wolves for 13 years,and works also about some others animals of the cold countries. Firstly she goes to observe and photograph the animals,before to paint them. She gives much importance to the realization of the eyes "... that are the reflection of the soul, and the place of all the emotions...
Arctic wolves are usually smaller than gray wolves, and also have smaller ears, slightly shorter muzzles, and shorter legs to reduce exposure to the frigid air. They live alone or in packs of about 6 wolves and are usually all white with a very thick, insulating coat.
The young arctic wolves soon leave their pack to seek their own territories. They tend to get rid of other wolves, unless they are able to mate.
Once a lone arctic wolf discovers an abandoned territory, he will mark the territory with its aroma, then he attempts to congregate other wolves to form a pack.
You can visite Veronique Renaud website and see her wolf paintings Here
Winter is a fascinating season. In this season,snow covers throughout the cities, villages and forest. There is a wonderful joy in leaving behind the noisy city streets and starting out along the white road that leads across the hills. With each breath of the sharp, reviving air one seems to inhale new life. A peace as evident as the sunshine on the fields takes possession of one's inner being.In the sunshine, the snow reflects like crystal clear and colorful, dressing this world as a beautiful fairy. The intense silence that broods over the snow-bound land is a conscious blessing. The deep blue of the sky and the purple shadows cast by the trees and plants are a feast to the eye.
Two Ojibwa Indians in a canoe had been blown far from shore by a great wind. They had gone far and were hungry and lost. They had little strength left to paddle, so they drifted before the wind.
At last their canoe was blown onto a beach and they were glad, but not for long.
Looking for the tracks of animals, they saw some huge footprints which they knew must be those of a giant. They were afraid and hid in the bushes. As they crouched low, a big arrow thudded into the ground close beside them.
Then a huge giant came toward them. A caribou hung from his belt, but the man was so big that it looked like a rabbit. He told them that he did not hurt people and he like to be a friend to little people, who seemed to the giant to be so helpless.
He asked the two lost Indians to come home with him, and since they had no food and their weapons had been lost in the storm at sea, they were glad to go with him. An evil Windigo spirit came to the lodge of the giant and told the two men that the giant had other men hidden away in the forest because he like to eat them.
The Windigo pretended to be a friend, but he was the one who wanted the men because he was an eater of people. The Windigo became very angry when the giant would not give him the two men, and finally the giant became angry too. He took a big stick and turned over a big bowl with it.
A strange animal which the Indians had never seen before lay on the floor, looking up at them. It looked like a wolf to them, but the giant called the animal 'Dog.' The giant told him to kill the evil Windigo spirit. The beast sprang to its feet, shook himself, and started to grow, and grow, and grow. The more he shook himself, the more he grew and the fiercer he became. He sprang at the Windigo and killed him; then the dog grew smaller and smaller and crept under the bowl.
The giant saw that the Indians were much surprised and please with Dog and said that he would give it to them, though it was his pet. He told the men that he would command Dog to take them home. They had no idea how this could be done, though they had seen that the giant was a maker of magic, but they thanked the friendly giant for his great gift. The giant took the men and the dog to the seashore and gave the dog a command. At once it began to grow bigger and bigger, until it was nearly as big as a horse.
The giant put the two men onto the back of the dog and told them to hold on very tightly. As Dog ran into the sea, he grew still bigger and when the water was deep enough he started to swim strongly away from the shore.
After a very long time, the two Ojibwa began to see a part of the sea coast which they knew, and soon the dog headed for shore. As he neared the beach, he became smaller and smaller so that the Indians had to swim for the last part of their journey.
The dog left them close to their lodges and disappeared into the forest. When the men told their tribe of their adventure, the people though that the men were speaking falsely. "Show us even the little mystery animal, Dog, and we shall believe you," a chief said.
A few moons came and went and then, one morning while the tribe slept, the dog returned to the two men. It allowed them to pet it and took food from their hands. The tribe was very much surprised to see this new creature. It stayed with the tribe.
That, as the Indians tell, was how the first dog came to the Earth.
The Chippewa (also Chippeway) or Ojibwe (also Ojibwa or Ojibway) are among the largest groups of Native Americans-First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. They are the third-largest in Canada, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit, and are the fourth-largest in the United States, surpassed only by Navajo, Cherokee and the Sioux. Wikipedia
On Jan. 15th, 2011 the govt. of Sweden along with the Swedish Hunters Association started the beginning of the Swedish Wolf hunt. They had set a quota of 20 wolves to be killed by hunters which was roughly 10% of Swedens very small population of a little over 200 wolves. The hunt was started despite massive protests from around the world against the hunt and repeated warnings not to proceed by the EU Commission. To date, 17 wolves have been killed many of them alpha wolves or alpha pairs. The hunt will continue until Feb. 15th, 2011 or until 3 more wolves are killed.
Because the Swedish government. had chosen to ignore the EU Commission's warning to not proceed with the hunt, this Thur., Jan. 27, the EU Commission will be meeting to vote on whether to take legal action against the Swedish government.
Currrently the Swedish Hunter's Association has started a petition to send to the EU Commission stating their reasons to be able to continue wolf hunts in Sweden.
Since this is such a critical issue for the wolves and time is extremely short, we are asking that you fill out this petition to the EU Commission in support of taking legal action against Sweden so that their wolf hunt will not be allowed to continue in the years to come.
Thank you for your support to help save the wolves in Sweden in the future! Please Sign the Petition
In the 20 years since he burst onto the art scene, award-winning artist Collin Bogle has created a national following for his strikingly realistic wildlife and floral images.
The son of a famous American artist, Collin learned the concepts of technique, composition and design from his father, later refining his skills and setting out on his own artistic path. His remarkable ability to capture detail and to master the use of light in natural settings became hallmarks of his work.
"Light plays a major role in my work," states the artist. "An abundance of light and shadows creates a playground for me, and allows a painting to take on a life of its own."
The artist's paintings are not limited to any one subject or medium and demonstrate great flexibility and technical versatility. Bogle uses pastels, colored pencils, watercolor and acrylics, whatever it takes to create the superbly-lighted, realistic and almost photographic images that have gained him an impressive reputation and following.
Collin Bogle has exhibited in art shows through the United States and his originals are on display in prominent galleries nationwide.
Here is the myth of Endymion and Diana, as told on the shores of Saginaw Bay, in Michigan, by Indians who never heard of Greeks. Cloud Catcher, a handsome youth of the Ojibways, offended his family by refusing to fast during the ceremony of his coming of age, and was put out of the paternal wigwam. It was so fine a night that the sky served him as well as a roof, and he had a boy's confidence in his ability to make a living, and something of fame and fortune, maybe. He dropped upon a tuft of moss to plan for his future, and drowsily noted the rising of the moon in which he seemed to see a face. On awakening he found that it was not day, yet the darkness was half dispelled by light that rayed from a figure near him--the form of a lovely woman.
"Cloud Catcher, I have come for you," she said. And as she turned away he felt impelled to rise and follow. But, instead of walking, she began to move into the air with the flight of an eagle, and, endowed with a new power, he too ascended beside her. The earth was dim and vast below, stars blazed as they drew near them, yet the radiance of the woman seemed to dull their glory. Presently they passed through a gate of clouds and stood on a beautiful plain, with crystal ponds and brooks watering noble trees and leagues of flowery meadow; birds of brightest colors darted here and there, singing like flutes; the very stones were agate, jasper and chalcedony. An immense lodge stood on the plain, and within were embroideries and ornaments, couches of rich furs, pipes and arms cut from jasper and tipped with silver. While the young man was gazing around him with delight, the brother of his guide appeared and reproved her, advising her to send the young man back to earth at once, but, she flatly refused to do so, he gave a pipe and bow and arrows to Cloud Catcher, as a token of his consent to their marriage, and wished them happiness, which, in fact, they had.
This brother, who was commanding, tall, and so dazzling in his gold and silver ornaments that one could hardly look upon him, was abroad all day, while his sister was absent for a part of the night. He permitted Cloud Catcher to go with him on one of his daily walks, and as they crossed the lovely Sky Land they glanced down through open valley bottoms on the green earth below. The rapid pace they struck gave to Cloud Catcher an appetite and he asked if there were no game. "Patience," counseled his companion. On arriving at a spot where a large hole had been broken through the sky they reclined on mats, and the tall man loosing one of his silver ornaments flung it into a group of children playing before a lodge. On of the little ones fell and was carried within, amid lamentations. Then the villagers left their sports and labors and looked up at the sky. The tall man cried, in a voice of thunder, "Offer a sacrifice and the child shall be well again." A white dog was killed, roasted, and in a twinkling it shot up the feet of Cloud Catcher, who, being empty, attacked it voraciously.
Many such walks and feasts came after, and the sights of earth and taste of meat filled the mortal with longing to see his people again. He told his wife that he wanted to go back. She consented, after a time, saying, "Since you are better pleased with the cares, the ills, the labor, and the poverty of the world than with the comfort and abundance of Sky Land, you may return; but remember you are still my husband, and beware how you venture to take an earthly maiden for a wife."
She arose lightly, clasped Cloud Catcher by the wrist, and began to move with him through the air. The motion lulled him and he fell asleep, waking at the door of his father's lodge.
His relatives gathered and gave him welcome, and he learned that he had been in the sky for a year. He took the privatations of a hunter's and warrior's life less kindly than he though to, and after a time he enlivened its monotony by taking to wife a bright-eyed girl of his tribe. In four days she was dead. The lesson was unheeded and he married again. Shortly after, he stepped from his lodge one evening and never came back. The woods were filled with a strange radiance on that night, and it is asserted that Cloud Catcher was taken back to the lodge of the Sun and Moon, and is now content to live in heaven.
* The Ojibwa ("oh-jib-wah") are a woodland people of northeastern North America.
Mother the Earth, the luminous splendor of pure light that shines throughout the universe. We Have Only One Earth ,the source of all creation..
Interesting Facts about Planet Earth
1. Mount Everest is the highest point on the surface. 2. The largest volcano on earth is Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii. 3. The longest river is the Nile River in Africa is 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles) long. 4. The driest place on Earth is the Atacama Desert in Chile. 5. Grand Canyon is the world's largest canyon. 6. Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world by size and volume. It is located between southeast Europe and west Asia. 7. The Sahara Desert in northern Africa is the world’s largest desert. 8. The world’s deepest lake is Lake Baikal in the south central part of Siberia is 5,712 feet (1.7 kilometers) deep.
9. Greenland is the world’s largest island. Note: Australia is a continent. 10. Coldest temperature was minus 89.2 °C (-128.5?F) in Vostok, Antarctica, 1983. The highest temperature was 58°C (136.4?F) at Al'Aziziyah, Libya, on 13th September 1922. 11. Our Planet Earth’s hydrosphere consists mainly of water and when one speaks about water, it means oceans. This includes all the seas, lakes and even water bodies that flow underground. This abundance of water is what sets the Planet Earth apart from other planets.
12.The Earth is one such planet that provides an atmosphere, which helps to sustain life. It has the requisite amount of water and other conditions that are so very essential for any form of life to exist.
Did you know?
- Earth's axis is tilted 23.45? This creates the seasons because Earth's surface changes its position relative to the Sun and hence the amount of heat delivered to the surface. - There is no official flag of the Earth.-
- The daily rotation of the Earth causes the day and night.
- The Earth is wider at the equator than from pole to pole -Earth doesn’t take 24 hours to rotate on its axis (It’s actually 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds.) - A year on Earth isn’t 365 days (It’s actually 365.2564 days. It’s this extra .2564 days that creates the need for leap years.) -For now, Earth is the only place we know where there’s life.
In Every outthrust headland,in every curving beach, in every grain of sand There is the story of the EARTH
The face of Earth it is still changing, and science sees no certain limit of time for its stately evolution. Our solid earth, apparently so stable, inert, and finished, is changing, mobile, and still evolving.And the secret of existence , the secret in the heart of the earth, forever invisible to human eyes.
Tungurahua Erupts
Credit & Copyright: Patrick Taschler
Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Iceland
photo : National Geographic
Hawaii volcano lava flow
photo : extremeimageology
Volcano on Iceland
photo : Patulkaa
Volcano
photo : AndreeWallin
The Milky Way Over the Peak of the Furnace
Credit & Copyright: Luc Perrot
Erupting Volcano Anak Krakatau
Credit & Copyright: Marco Fulle
Magma Bubbles from Mt. Etna
Credit & Copyright: Marco Fulle
One day as a man was walking alone he met a coyote. Coyote spoke to the man and said, "How would you like to smoke my pipe?"
The man thanked the coyote and said "Sure!"
When the man was finished, the coyote said to him, "You have smoked my pipe so now you are my friend and I will not harm you, but will take you to meet my people. I want my people to know that you have smoked my pipe. They will be glad to see you and will give you great powers."
They walked on a way and after a while they met many coyotes and wolves.
When the coyotes and the wolves saw the coyote with the man one wolf called to the other wolves and said, "Everyone be seated. Let us hear what these people who are coming have to say."
When they were seated the coyote stood up and said, "This man is my brother. He smoked my pipe. He came with me to pay you a visit. Let us take pity on him and make him a wonderful man."
The man was frightened, for the wolves came very close to him. Then the man was told that he must not be afraid to look. So he did and saw many coyotes, old and young.
The coyotes began to roll in the dust then they came to the man and gave him plant roots and told him that the roots were good for healing the sick.
Then one of the coyotes arose and said, "We will give you this root and if any many is bitten by a mad dog give him this medicine. He will then get well and not go mad. The other medicinal roots are good for other ailments and pains."
Next a wolf stood up and rolled in the dust. Then he arose and gave the man a whistle and said, "I give you the whistle. When anybody is sick, use this whistle and the person will be made well."
Then another wolf arose and gave the man a piece of bone with the skull of a wolf on it and said, "Take this piece of bone. If anyone attempts to poison or bewitch you, lay the bone on your forehead and you will be able to overcome them. My power is the bone."
Finally the man spoke and said, "This is enough. I thank you wolves and coyotes, I am glad I cam here."
Then coyote took the man back to the village. "When you get home," the coyote said, "take this whistle. Blow it before you get home. Blow hard and we will hear it; all the coyotes and wolves will hear it."
The man did as he was told and heard the coyotes and wolves howl in the distance.
After several days he heard of a man who was very ill.
He went to him and doctored him. With the new healing powers he had learned from the wolves and the coyotes, he was able to cure the sick man.
A chief had many horses, and among them a stallion which his wife often rode. The woman and stallion became enamored of each other. The woman grew careless of her household duties and always wanted to look after the horses.
When the people moved camp, and the horses were brought in, it was noticed that the stallion made right for the woman and sniffed about her as stallions do with mares. After this she was watched. When her husband learned the truth, he shot the stallion. The woman cried and would not go to bed.
At daybreak she was gone, no one knew where. About a year after this it was discovered that she had gone off with some wild horses. One day when the people were traveling over a large open place they saw a band of horses, and the woman among them. She had partly changed into a horse. She also had much hair on her body, and the hair of her head had grown to resemble a horse's mane. Her arms and legs had also changed considerably; but her face was still human, and bore some resemblance to her original self.
The chief sent some young men to chase her. All the wild horses ran away,but she could not run so fast as they, and was run down and lassoed. She was brought into her husband's lodge; and the people watched her for some time, trying to tame her, but she continued to act and whinny like a horse. At last they let her free. The following year they saw her again. She had become almost entirely horse, and had a colt by her side. She had many children afterwards.
To bring back the natural harmony that humans once enjoyed. To save the planet from present practices of destruction. To find and re-employ real truth. To promote true balance between both genders. To share and be less materialistic. To become rid of prejudice. To learn to be related.
To be kind to animals and take no more than we need. To play with one's children and love each equally and fairly. To be brave and courageous, enough so, to take a stand and make a commitment. To understand what Generations Unborn really means. To accept the Great Mystery in order to end foolish argument over religion.
The cycle of life for the woman is the baby, girl, woman, and grandmother. These are the four directions of life. She has been given by natural laws, the ability to reproduce life. The most sacred of all things is life. Therefore, all men should treat her with dignity and respect. Never was it our way to harm ★her mentally or physically. Indian men were never abusers. We always treated our women with respect and understanding. So from now on:
I will treat women in a sacred manner. The Creator gave women the responsibility for bringing new life into the world. Life is sacred, so I will look upon the women in a sacred manner.
In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family. I will work with her to create a home atmosphere of respect, security and harmony.
I will refrain from any form of emotional or physical abuse. If I have these feelings, I will talk to the Creator for guidance.
I will treat all women as if they were my own female relatives. This is my vow.
Native Philosophy TO THE EARTH
Our Mother Earth is the source of all life, whether it be the plants, the two-legged, four-legged, winged ones or human beings. The Mother Earth is the greatest teacher, if we listen, observe and respect her. When we live in harmony with the Mother Earth, she will recycle the things we consume and make them available to our children and to their children. As an Indian man, I must teach my children how to care for the Earth so it is there for the future generations. So from now on:
I realize the Earth is our mother. I will treat her with honor and respect.
I will honor the interconnectedness of all things and all forms of life. I will realize the Earth does not belong to us, but we belong to the Earth.
The natural law is the ultimate authority upon the lands and water. I will learn the knowledge and wisdom of the natural laws. I will pass this knowledge in to my children.
The mother Earth is a living entity that maintains life. I will speak out in a good way whenever I see someone abusing the Earth. Just as I would protect my own mother, so will I protect the Earth. I will ensure that the land, water, and air will be intact for my children and my children's children - unborn.
Native Philosophy TO THE CHILDREN
As an eagle prepares its young to leave the nest will all the skills and knowledge it needs to participate in life, in the same manner so will I guide my children. I will use the culture to prepare them for life.
The most important thing I can give to my children is my time. I will spend time with them in order to learn from them and to listen to them.
I will teach my children to pray, as well as the importance of respect.
We are the caretakers of the children for the Creator. They are His children, not ours.
I am proud of our own Native language. I will learn it if I can and help my children to learn it.
In today's world it is easy for the children to go astray, so I will work to provide positive alternatives for them. I will teach them the culture. I will encourage education. I will encourage sports. I will encourage them to talk to the Elders for guidance; but mostly, I will seek to be a role model myself.
I make this commitment to my children so they will have courage and find guidance through traditional ways.
Native Philosophy TO THE CREATOR
As an Indian man, I realize we make no gains without the Great Spirit being in our lives. Neither I nor anything I attempt to do, will work without the Creator. Being Indian and being spiritual has the same meaning. Spirituality is out gift from the Great One. This day, I vow to walk the Red Road.
As an Indian man, I will return to the traditional and spiritual values which have guided my ancestors for the past generations.
I will look with new eyes on the powers of our ceremonies and religious ways, for they are important to the very survival of our people.
We have survived and are going to grow and flourish spiritually. We will fulfill our teachings and the purpose that the Creator has given us with dignity.
Each day, I will pray and ask for guidance. I will commit to walk the Red Road, or whatever the spiritual way is called in my own culture.
If I am Christian, I will be a good one. If I am traditional, I will walk this road with dedication.
If each if us can do these things then others will follow. From this day forward, I will reserve time and energy for spirituality, seeking to know the Creators will.
Native Philosophy TO THE FAMILY
The creator gave to us the family, which is the place where all teachings are handed down from the grandparent, to the parent, and to the child. The children's behavior is a mirror of the parents behavior. Knowing this, I realize the importance for each Indian man to build a strong and balanced family. By doing this, I will break the cycle of hurt and ensure the positive and mental health of the children, even the children yet to be born. So from now on:
I will dedicate my priorities to rebuilding my family.
I must never give up and leave my family only to the mother.
I am accountable to restore the strength of my family. To do this, I will nurture our family's spiritual, cultural, and social health. I will demonstrate trust, respect, honor and discipline; but mostly I will be consistent in whatever I do with them.
I will see that the grandparents and community Elders play a significant role in the education of my children.
I realize that the male and female together are fundamental to our family life. I will listen to my mates council for our family's benefit, as well as for the benefit of my Indian Nation.
Native Philosophy TO THE COMMUNITY
The Indian community provides many things for the family. The most important is the sense of belonging; that is, to belong to "the people", and to have a place to go. Our Indian communities need to be restored to health so the future generation will be guaranteed a place to go for culture, language and Indian socializing. In the community, the honor of one is the honor of all and the pain of one is the pain of all. I will work to strengthen recovery in all parts of my community. As an Indian man:
I will give back to my community by donating my time and talents when I am able.
I will cultivate friendships with other Indian men for mutual support and strength.
I will consider the effects of our decisions on behalf of the next seven generations; in this way, our children and grandchildren will inherit healthy communities.
I will care about those in my community so that the mind changers, alcohol and drugs, will vanish, and our communities will forever be free of violence.
If each of us can do all these things, then others will follow; ours will be a proud community.
