denny Ethnic & National book

Pi Vat and Ledoh meet over a game of pool-billard in a bar in Thailand at the Burmese border and discover things in common: their escape abroad from the Burmese military dictatorship, because they are ethnic Karen. The Burmese army wages war against the Karen. Their culture, their language and ulimatively themselves are exposed to systematic eradication -- to the effect of 56 years of civil war and hundred-thousands of Karen refugees. Pi Vat loses the game against Ledoh and has to promise to guide him into the land of the Talarku Karen, who worship a living man-god in the jungle. Pi Vat is one of the most popular nature field guides in Thailand and Ledoh due to explore the isolated enclave of the Talarku Karen as an inspiration for his dance theatre back in San Francisco. Their venture will lead them illegally across the green border to Burma, through thick jungle into a Shangri-La of vivid traditions. An odd cry for help addressed at the expert Pi Vat intervenes. A herd of wild elephants sabotages the extension of a zinc-mine run by the Karen National Liberation Army KNLA. The revenue of the mine is desperately needed to feed ten-thousands of displaced Karen refugees hiding in the jungle from the Burmese troops. The most obvious solution holds plenty of dynamite: the Karen consider elephants not just as big animals, but powerful omens, mythological symbols, ancestors, tractors, means of transportation, endless source of organic fertilizer, gladiators, rowdies, re ...