Guardians of the River

Wild Bird Trust, NGOWP, House of Pod
  • 4.6 (224)
  • NATURE
  • SEMIWEEKLY SERIES

2021 Best Narrative Nonfiction Podcast Award winner at Tribeca Film Festival and Jackson Wild Film Festival. This is the story of the guardians of the Okavango water system and their monumental task: conserve a remote, near pristine environment facing threats from all sides. This podcast follows what happens when worlds connect, and at times collide, with the common goal of protecting a place

Season 1

  1. EPISODE 1

    1. Power to Protect

    A team of scientists and tribes members embark on an epic four-month National Geographic expedition to follow a trickle of water 1,500-kilometers across Southern Africa. As their journey unfolds, they realize their real quest will take trust, a team, and an alliance with a legendary snake-like demon named Mukisi. Show notes: To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. To watch the original documentary Into the Okavango, visit: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/into-the-okavango. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.  Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    43 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Ghost Elephants of Lisima

    A population of elephants in Angola lives in hiding, and only a few villages know their secret. But one big hint to their whereabouts stands tall in the main rotunda of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. If the NGOWP team can find them, these elephants might be the key to smoothening some of the human wildlife conflict in Southern Africa. Show notes: To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. This episode referenced the late writer Jean Valentine, the clown cemetery from the Chicago Tribune, and Henry the elephant. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.  Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    40 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    A Thousand Voices of Tempué

    Due to civil conflicts, landmines, broken roads, and a decommissioned runway, a town called Tempué is cut off from the rest of Angola. As powers rise and fall, the town has guarded the rivers and lakes that run near it. Now facing an opportunity to reconnect to the rest of Angola -- and the world -- what will the people of Tempué decide to do? And who will they trust as their partner? Show notes: To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. This episode featured voice actors who spoke for Ribio, Fanta, and Regedora Cristina. They are Edson Neto, Ana Carreira, and Baiana Carreira. The villagers of Tempué also granted permission to record their day-to-day activities, from pounding cassava to prayer. This episode is being translated into Portugese to be distributed in Angola and throughout the Lusophone speaking world. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.  Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    42 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    The Smallest Dragonfly

    In some Angolan traditions, magic is not just something people sit around campfires and talk about late at night, it lives in customs and day-to-day life. Owls are believed to see death. And snakes are agents of the devil. So what happens when a team of scientists and local Angolan guides embark on the largest wildlife survey in Angola's recent history? And how will documenting local animal populations help protect the region? To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. This episode features the voices and work of a number of scientists including: Dawn Cory Toussaint, Helen James, Timóteo Júlio, Klaas-Douwe "KD" B. Dijkstra, Chad Keates, Werner Conradie. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.  Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    43 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    The Edge of Home

    The Okavango Delta is what happens when people pay attention to the environmental wealth of a place. It's the world's 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage site. And for its animals and its immeasurable feeling of wilderness, it is a major tourism destination. But not all residents have been included in its success. What starts with a hippo hunt continues with a journey through Botswana's past to understand what makes a place a rightful home for a group of people. And who should benefit when that land reaps a profit? To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa, with help this time from Thalefang Charles and Gobonamang Kgetho. This story also features renowned Botswana voice actors Batho Molema and Donald Sejo, who spoke for Mr Monnaaphuthego Oja and Kgosimoriti Keikanamang. Human Rights Lawyer and Mandela Washington Fellow Keikantse Phele provided grounding in the Botswana legal framework for understanding more about the WaYei's official status. Photographs of archival documentation of the Moremi Game Reserve Declarations are available at the Wild Bird Trust podcast page. Faya Chune Republik and Crania Audio studios captured interview tape of the WaYei in Gabronne. Newsreel tape of from the formation of Botswana was used from a fair use public clip entitled "Bechuanaland (Botswana) 17 March 1965." Botswana music for this episode was performed by the WaYei tribes women of Seronga, and the Reed Harp which is also known as the Seorooro was played by Tom Rethio. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.  Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    43 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Koki's Plan

    Koketso Mookodi, also known as Koki, is a Motswana who didn't learn about the Okavango Delta until she found herself living in the Delta in her 20's, being stalked by a female lion and working in a luxury tourism lodge. As her journey through the region unfolds, Koki realizes what kind of change is possible for the people of Botswana; and what Kerllen and the team can learn for the work ahead in Angola. To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa featuring interviews with Koketso Mookodi, Botswana Director for the Wildbird Trust. Botswana music for this episode was performed by the WaYei tribes women of Seronga, and the Reed Harp which is also known as the Seorooro was played by Tom Rethio. This podcast is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Fact-checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato.  Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    39 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    The Land at the End of the World

    In Eastern Angola, a group of lakes might occupy some of the least visited corners of the planet. They feel like a world without industrial development, proof that humans can't be so bad if there are still places like this. It's so good, that maybe...the best thing to do to protect it is stay out? For hundreds of years, the demon-like dragon Mukisi and its legends have guarded the lakes with great success. In this episode, we explore what outside attempts to protect this landscape will actually do. To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com. This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa featuring interviews with Stefan Van Wyk, Marisa Rodrigues, Ralph Legg, and the greater NGOWP team. We owe a big thank you to the women in the Luena marketplaces who let us ask them questions about their products, and Jose Vitanga. This Episode is dedicated to the late WaYei poler and expedition guide, Leilamang Kgetho, also known as "Schnapps." This podcast is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Fact-checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato. Geração 80 is the recording studio homebase in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    43 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    The Runway

    In the final episode of this season, we ask the biggest question of all; the one that persists beneath many of the world's most pressing headlines, and haunts us in the face of a global climate crisis. How do we protect our home? And Is this question in and of itself — impossible? Utopian? Patronizing? Neo-colonial? An answer emerging from a place seemingly frozen in time could be the key to our future. To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com www.wildbirdtrust.com This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa featuring interviews with Tony Knowles, Gobonamang 'GB' Kgetho, Marisa Rodrigues, and the greater NGOWP team. This podcast is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Fact-checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato. Geração 80 is the recording studio homebase in Angola. Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama.  The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga. Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.

    47 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    Mil vozes de Tempué

    Devido a conflitos civis, minas terrestres, estradas danificadas e uma pista de aterragem abandonada, uma vila com o nome de Tempué está desconectada do resto de Angola. Ao longo das mudanças de liderança, a vila protegeu os rios e lagos que correm ali próximo. Estando agora perante uma oportunidade de se reconectar com o resto de Angola – e com o mundo – o que escolherá o povo de Tempué fazer? E em quem confiarão como seus parceiros?   Este episodio é parte de uma serie de 8, chamada Guardians of the River (Guardiões do rio). Para ouvir a toda a história em inglês e, para saber mais sobre o projecto, visite www.wildbirdtrust.com   Kerllen Costa é o anfitrião deste podcast. É escrito, gravado e dirigido por Cat Jaffee e House of Pod, em parceria com o National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. O financiamento para este projecto provem de uma bolsa do programa de contos da National Geographic e Wild Bird Trust. A verificação de factos foi realizada por Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini é a produtora. O editor de áudio e designer de som é Jason paton. O produtor Angolano é Kerllen Costa e, o produtor Motswana é Thalefang Charles. A edição do enredo foi feita por Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato. Este episodio foi traduzido para português por Carla Carvalho.   A música temática de Guardiões do rio foi criada por Victor Gama. Victor usou sons dos aldeões de Tempué enquanto estes preparavam a sua comida e faziam música para as celebrações das igrejas, utilizando restos de estruturas de munições, que está misturado com a cancão da introdução, cantada pelas crianças de Tempué antes da reunião da comunidade. Há também uma arpa feita com caniços, tocada por Tom Rethio, um músico WaYei que vive perto de Seronga, no Botswana. Para além de peças customizadas de Victor, a música utilizada na serie também provem do álbum de 2010 de Victor, Pangeia Instrumentos. As cancões incluídas no podcast são O Pescador de Sonhos; Homem Vermelho Homem Verde; A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho no Anzol; O dialogo dos Pernetas; Mibanga.   Os desenhos e arte dos episódios de Guardiões do rio foram ilustrados por Fernando Hugo Fernandes. Fernando é um ilustrador e artista gráfico com mais de 30 anos de experiência a viver em Campinas, Brasil.   Este podcast foi gravado nos estúdios Cassete, da Geracao 80 em Angola.

    42 min

  10. EPISODE 10

    On the Edge of Home (Setswana)

    Okavango Delta ke sekao sa gore go ka nna jang ha batho ba tsaa tsia dikhumo tsa tholego. Le thokometswe ka fa molaong ke legotla la UNESCO. It's the world's 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage site. Ke naga e tletseng diphologolo ka mehuta, jaanong seo se dira gore e nne sekgantshwane sa Bojanala lehatshe ka bophara. Mme gase banni bothe ba akolang katlego ya Okavango. Re simolola ka go utwa ka botshelo ja bogologolo go santse go tsomiwa  dikubu, mme re tsenelela mo kgang ya gore, ke eng sese dirang gore lefelo e nne legae la batho? Ebile ke mang yoo tshwanetseng go boelwa ha naga dira dipoelo?   Mo ke karolwana ya Bothano ya tse borobabodedi tsa Guardians of the River. O ka reetsa polelo yothe ka sekgoa ko www.wildbirdtrust.com   Polelo e, o ne oe tisetswa ke lentswe la ga Dawson Kgosi Ramsden, yo o neng a ranola mantswe a ga Kerllen Costa, yo neng a bega polelo ka sekgoa. Polelo e ranoletswe mo Setswaneng ke nna Thalefang Charles, ebo e gatisiwa ke ba Faya Chune Republik, House of Pod, le Crania Studio. Mantswe a mangwe ke aga, Gabonamang GB Kgetho, Tomeletso Water Setlabosha, Katlego Isabella Motsamai, ga mmogo le Keikantse Phele, mmueledi wa ditshwanelo tsa batho. Dipina tsa SeYei di ne di opelwa ke bo Mme ba Seronga ha Seorooro se letswa ke Thopho Tom Rethiyo.   Polelo ya Sekgoa e kwadile ebile e gatisitswe ke Cat Jaffee le ba National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Barotoetsi ke National Geographic Storytelling Grant le Wild Bird Trust.

    39 min
  • 10 Episodes

Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
224 Ratings

About

2021 Best Narrative Nonfiction Podcast Award winner at Tribeca Film Festival and Jackson Wild Film Festival. This is the story of the guardians of the Okavango water system and their monumental task: conserve a remote, near pristine environment facing threats from all sides. This podcast follows what happens when worlds connect, and at times collide, with the common goal of protecting a place

Information

  • Creator
    Wild Bird Trust, NGOWP, House of Pod
  • Episodes
    10
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All content is created or licensed for use to the Wild Bird Trust, House of Pod, and NGOWP for this podcast.
  • Show Website
    Guardians of the River

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