corimagua

I say to my country and to other developing countries, that in our race to modernize, we must respect the rich ancient cultures and traditions of our people. We must not blindly follow the model for progress invented by Western Civilization. We may envy the industrialized world for its wealth, but we must not forget that this world was bought at a very high price. The rich world suffers so much stress, pollution, violence, poverty, and spiritual emptiness. The riches of indigenous communities lie not in the money or commodities, but in community, in tradition, and the sense of belonging to a special place. 

-Mutang Urud

Kelabit tribesman, Sarawak, Malaysia, island of Borneo