Publisher's Synopsis
River deltas are hotspots of global changes in climate, economy and population. How is this drastic change shaping up for the delta dwellers? Based on ethnographic research in four deltas, this book describes and illustrates current delta worlds. We mostly know river deltas from a bird's eye view: as fascinating aerial photos of branching river arms or as unsettling maps showing landscapes threatened by climate change. This photo book reverses the perspective: we meet the inhabitants of deltas in Brazil, Canada, Myanmar and Senegal at eye level. We learn about their daily lives, their concerns, hopes and the challenges they face, as well as their inventiveness. Numerous images and short texts show that the lives of these people are not only determined by abstract processes such as climate change, economic crises and population growth. Rather, these processes are part of other-and often more important-dynamics in the deltas. Based on their ethnographic research, the authors tell how colonial shadows, unstable terrain and flexible traditions are reflected in people's everyday lives. The book thus provides insight into the different - but often very similar - forms of coexistence in river deltas. We know river deltas mostly from a bird's-eye view: as fascinating aerial photos with branching river arms, or as alarming maps showing landscapes threatened by climate change. This illustrated book turns that perspective around. We meet the inhabitants of deltas in Brazil, Canada, Myanmar and Senegal face to face. We get to know their daily lives, their worries, hopes, challenges and inventiveness. Through vivid images and short texts, this book shows that the lives of these people are not only determined by abstract processes such as climate change, economic crises and population growth. Rather, these processes are part of other - and often more important - dynamics in the deltas. Based on the four authors' ethnographic research, this book provides insights into the diverse, but often similar, forms of community, movement, colonial heritage.
