Bruce Parry is making a dramatic return to television after nearly ten years, starring in the revived series of Tribe, where he’s faced with the harrowing task of killing a goat with his bare hands for the show.
The original BBC2 series, which aired from 2005 to 2007, saw Bruce Parry explore various indigenous cultures before he ventured on to other projects. The intrepid explorer, now 55, has since presented Arctic with Bruce Parry in 2011 and released his independent film Tawai: A Voice from the Forest in 2017.
Tribe is back on the BBC, with Bruce embarking on three new expeditions to some of the planet’s most isolated communities in Colombia, Angola, and Indonesia.
Immersing himself fully, Bruce lives alongside these indigenous peoples, embracing their traditions, participating in rituals, and even bedding down in cow dung. “I don’t want to be a guest,” he insists, “I want to be like a family member.”
In Angola’s Namib Desert, Bruce joins the Mucubal tribe, who are emerging from the shadows of civil conflict. His initiation into their way of life is challenging, as he’s expected to perform a traditional goat-killing ritual without weapons, which would be seen as disrespectful.
Bruce confesses, “I really didn’t want to do this,” adding, “As program makers, we’re not out looking for this. But it was culturally expected.”
Bruce candidly shared his on-set jitters, admitting his grip loosened for a split second. “I realised I was prolonging the process because I wasn’t concentrating,” he says, “I had to make it respectful for the people, the animal and the audience.”
Discussing a harrowing scene during which a young girl’s teeth were sharpened with a rock, Bruce remarked: “We do plenty in the name of beauty,” and mused, “It’s just done in a different way.” He confessed that the most distressing part was seeing young boys circumcised, saying: “They had no choice,” and “It was painful to watch.”
Despite his extensive travels, Bruce Parry approaches Ayahuasca with caution, yet he revealed: “I’ve drunk Ayahuasca many times without a doctor,” noting the BBC’s insistence on safety measures, “But because it’s the BBC, there was a health and safety person.”
In the Colombian Amazon, Bruce initially faced skepticism from the Waimaha community. However, as trust developed, he participated in an Ayahuasca ceremony, sharing his fears: “It’s nerve-wracking and terrifying,” and “You never know what it’s going to reveal.”
The intense experience led to a challenging moment captured on camera, with Bruce vomiting into the river and recalling: “I lost my awareness and was unsteady,” yet he felt honoured, concluding: “But despite that, it was a privilege to be part of it. I suddenly felt like I belonged.”
While on the Indonesian island of Sumba, Bruce was deeply moved by the Marapu religion, which focuses on ancestor worship and blood sacrifices. The local community’s way of life brought him to tears as he reflected: “It was beautiful because they don’t have the drive to be remembered. They know they’re part of something eternal.”
Back in Somerset, his new home after a six-year stint in Wales, Bruce often finds it challenging to readjust to British life. He admits: “Heathrow feels overwhelming,” but he has come to view his experiences as “But I now see both worlds as part of a bigger picture.”
For Bruce, the series Tribe isn’t merely an escapade; it’s a wake-up call. He observes with a sense of urgency: “These people live in harmony with the world,” contrasting it with a stark realisation: “Meanwhile, we’ve only just realised we might have trashed the whole planet.”