Children of the Desert

Watch Children of the Desert

  • 2011
  • 1 Season

Children of the Desert is a compelling and fascinating documentary series, available exclusively on the streaming platform Gaia. This series follows the lives of the Mescalero Apache tribe, who have lived in the deserts of New Mexico for hundreds of years. The series is separated into eight thirty-minute episodes, each one delving deeper into the lives and traditions of the Mescalero Apache people. From their spiritual practices to their hunting methods, viewers are given a unique insight into their way of life.

One of the standout features of Children of the Desert is the stunning cinematography. The breathtaking shots of the New Mexico desert landscape provide a stunning backdrop to the series, and really help to immerse the viewer in the world of the Mescalero Apache people.

In addition to exploring the daily lives of the tribe, the series also delves into the history and struggles of the Mescalero Apache people. From colonization to the forced removal of their land, the series does not shy away from the difficult and painful aspects of their history.

Throughout the series, we meet a number of different members of the tribe, each with their own unique story to tell. From tribal leaders to hunters and craftsmen, we get a sense of the diverse range of skills and traditions that make up the Mescalero Apache community.

Despite their struggles, there is a strong sense of community and family that comes through in the series. Whether it's multi-generational families working on a project together, or the passing down of traditional skills from elders to youth, the importance of family and community is evident throughout.

One of the most interesting aspects of Children of the Desert is the focus on traditional spiritual practices. Viewers are given a glimpse into the Mescalero Apache's ceremonial practices, from sweat lodges to the Sunrise Dance. These practices are shown to be integral to the tribe's way of life, and it becomes clear that they have been passed down through many generations.

As the series progresses, we see the Mescalero Apache tribe facing new challenges, from climate change to the impact of modern society. However, despite these challenges, the tribe remains committed to preserving their traditions and way of life. This resilience and dedication is inspiring to watch.

Overall, Children of the Desert is a must-watch series for anyone interested in exploring different cultures and ways of life. It offers a unique and intimate look into the lives of the Mescalero Apache people, and their struggles and triumphs. The stunning cinematography, interesting characters, and focus on traditional practices make it a captivating and thought-provoking series that is not to be missed.

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Seasons
Mauritania: Ely Cheikh, Child of the High Plateau of Adrar
10. Mauritania: Ely Cheikh, Child of the High Plateau of Adrar
December 12, 2011
In appearance Mauretania is a parched and inhospitable land, offering nothing but physical hardship to the tribes that populate it. And yet Mauretania has a hidden spiritual richness in the way its peoples are gently united around their religion of Islam.
Djibouti: Ali, Child of the Alolls
9. Djibouti: Ali, Child of the Alolls
December 12, 2011
The small land of Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, has always held fascination for adventurers. Hagande is a village of a thousand souls that sits just east of the Allol depression - a geological feature remarkable for its expanse of white crystalline sand.
Canada: Joanasi, Child of the Ice Field
8. Canada: Joanasi, Child of the Ice Field
December 12, 2011
For eight months of every year, the world is apparently lifeless, gripped by the most intense cold. It seems nothing moves, except the petrifying wind. This is the Nunavik, a province in the great Canadian north, close to the Arctic Circle.
Mexico: Angelica, Child of the Chihuahua Plateau
7. Mexico: Angelica, Child of the Chihuahua Plateau
December 12, 2011
The high plateau, covered by conifer pines, dominates Mexico's largest state - Chihuahua, home to some 50 thousand Tarahumaras, an Amerindian people still strongly bound to their ancestral traditions.
Madagascar: Antenaina and Brigitte, Children of Tsifota
6. Madagascar: Antenaina and Brigitte, Children of Tsifota
December 12, 2011
Unspoiled and undeveloped, Madagascar lies in the heart of the Indian Ocean - yet culturally it is neither African nor Asian. Its people came from India, Africa and Arabia, blending to create a unique ethnic mix.
Mexico: Thelma Guadaloupe, Child of Punta Chueca
5. Mexico: Thelma Guadaloupe, Child of Punta Chueca
December 12, 2011
Some 2,500 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, not far from the American border, Mexico's state of Sonora spreads from sea to desert to mountains. And perched on its fringe alongside the turquoise waters of the Gulf of California is the village of Punta Chueca.
Namibia: Maverimana, Child of the Red Earth
4. Namibia: Maverimana, Child of the Red Earth
December 12, 2011
Maverimana Bingue is 11 years old, and she is a Himba. She is living in one place at the moment, but eventually her family will move on.
Jordan: Farraj, Child of the Moon Valley
3. Jordan: Farraj, Child of the Moon Valley
December 12, 2011
Farraj is 13 years old. He is a Bedouin, and he lives in a tent with his mother and four sisters. He lives in South Jordan, in the beautiful, but hostile, desert of red sandstone at Wadi Rum. It's known locally as the Valley of the Moon.
Chad: Abdallah, Mahamat, Achei - Children of Borkou
2. Chad: Abdallah, Mahamat, Achei - Children of Borkou
December 12, 2011
The village of DigrĀ©, at the foot of the Tibesti Mountains in Borkou province, wakes up to the call of the Muezzin. Only nine hundred people live in this lost corner of the desert.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    December 12, 2011