We all recall news stories of the atrocities committed during the Rwandan genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi peoples. We saw lifeless, bloodied figures in grainy news footage. Many years later in Global Village we could suddenly put a face, a voice and humanity to these people who were speaking directly to us.

These were the survivors of the genocide now showing us how their traditional drumming is helping the reconciliation process between the former enemies proving that traditional friendships and music can conquer the darker side in human beings. One cannot avoid being profoundly moved by the experience. The term 'Jungle drums' now takes on a whole new meaning. 

On a similar note was a story of another African people who, after being oppressed and almost wiped off the face of the earth now wear the same clothing as their oppressors and killers. At first glance the Herero people of Namibia immediately stand out by the colourful silk clothing they wear; in the hot and desert interior of Namibia the women wear Victorian dress, floor length crinolines with layers of undergarments a hangover from the missionaries from Victorian England who came to convert them to Christianity and to hide their "sinful" nakedness. Huge colourful bows adorn their heads emulating the cow, their most prized possession.

The men, on the other hand, still wear the German military uniforms of their former colonisers who stand guilty of genocide against them. It is thought to be the first genocide of the 20th century. As with the Hutus and Tutsis we also have the Herero speaking directly to us about their past and their on-going attempts at reaching a settlement with the German government.

When it comes to a question of identity it always fascinates me to see what defines one's identity, either as a people or as an individual. In Dubrovnik, Croatia for example after it survived the bombing and atrocities of the violent break-up of Yugoslavia in the early '90's it was a particular silk thread that gave a clue as to the identity of the people of Dubrovnik.

The traditional costumes worn for generations by women in the district of Konavle have intricate designs embroidered with the finest silk thread. With no silkworms in Croatia their cocoons were smuggled in from France and the women would then collect the silk by hand so they could repair the embroidery. As a woman says in the program, "It doesn't matter where we might be in the world, as soon as we put our costume on we know who we are and where we come from." It's something that goes back to our deepest primal sense of who we are. Almost tribal. What do you think?

We know that in the animal kingdom the male of the species is, generally, more colourful than the female. Just look at the difference in plumage between the peacock and the peahen. So too in the human world the men of Tari in PNG certainly outshine the women when it comes to hair and make-up! These men love their 'plumage'. I do have reservations though about their attitude to women. They obviously haven't heard of equality of the sexes.

I'd be interested to read what identifies you as an Australian and why, regardless of where you may have come from originally. Is it ANZAC Day?  A swaggy and cork hat? The Kangaroo/Emu emblem?
The Boomerang? SBS? Let me know.