How has water been perceived in different societies and across different eras of world history? How have these changing conceptions informed and influenced our ideas about society and ourselves? In The Idea of Water leading international scholars explore the rich record of our ideas, from the beliefs of early societies to the latest scientific views on the nature of this unique substance. Ranging across all aspects -- scientific, cultural and religious -- this important work both challenges conventional nterpretations and understanding of water in nature and represents one of the...
How has water been perceived in different societies and across different eras of world history? How have these changing conceptions informed and in...
Ethiopia has a rich and fascinating cultural heritage structured around water. The River Nile has been seen by many as the most important river in the world, and the secrets of the sources of the Nile and their mysteries have, from the dawn of civilization, attracted philosophers, emperors and explorers searching for answers. The source of the Blue Nile, Gish Abay, is believed to be the outlet of the biblical river Gihon, flowing directly from Paradise, linking this world with Heaven. The holiness of Abay (the Blue Nile) and its source in particular still has an important role in the...
Ethiopia has a rich and fascinating cultural heritage structured around water. The River Nile has been seen by many as the most important river in the...
These three volumes present an original exploration of all aspects of water - social, cultural, political, religious, historical, economic and technological - from ancient times until the present day. Among the varied themes, the contributors examine the changing histories of water as a private or common good, the politics of water at local, urban, national and international level. With empirical and ethnographic case studies from around the world the three volumes together represent one of the most complete and up to date accounts of the central role of water in the history and development...
These three volumes present an original exploration of all aspects of water - social, cultural, political, religious, historical, economic and technol...
The damming of Bujagali Falls, located only eight kilometers north of the outlet of Lake Victoria, is seen as one of the most controversial projects in modern times. In 2012, the dam was eventually inaugurated after years of anti-dam opposition and delays. A unique aspect of the controversy was the role of the locally resident river spirit Budhagaali in blocking the dam and opposing the destruction of the waterfalls, which had been its home. Terje Oestigaard describes how a water spirit can block an almost billion dollar dam and also recounts the ritual drama behind the repeated efforts to...
The damming of Bujagali Falls, located only eight kilometers north of the outlet of Lake Victoria, is seen as one of the most controversial projects i...
The Nile River Basin supports the livelihoods of millions of people in Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda, principally as water for agriculture and hydropower. The resource is the focus of much contested development, not only between upstream and downstream neighbours, but also from countries outside the region. This book investigates the water, land and energy nexus in the Nile basin.
It explains how the current surge in land and energy investments, both by foreign actors as well as domestic investors, affects the hydropolitics in the region. It shows how the already strained...
The Nile River Basin supports the livelihoods of millions of people in Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda, principally as water for agriculture and ...
