Eland Dances

Description:

Peter Fitt uses a Soviet airplane in a development project, and the Russians use this opportunity to supply arms to both sides in the Rhodesia/Zimbabwe independence struggle. They intend to escalate the civil war so their cadres can climb into power. Shit rises to the top when stirred. Pete instinctively dislikes the power-hungry men who see others as ego-food or enemies. In his family, with a memory of San beliefs, these are looked on as human predators, men possessed by lion spirits. The eland opposes the selfish and destructive carnivores, the lions, and helps those who embrace the principle that the strong should defend others, not prey on them. Healing power is found in dance, in trance, but courage, and love, are for each to find.

subjects: life & death,  survival,  war,  animals,  eland,  unicorn,  elephant,  post-traumatic stress disorder,  hijack

People: Peter Fitt,  Marjorie Jones

Places: London Heathrow,  Brazzaville,  Kinshasa,  Congo,  Lusaka,  Rhodesia/Zimbabwe,  Capetown,  Lake Kariba

Times: 1966