Africa's Undiscovered Myths

Searching for Man's Original Stories

Photographer

Janis Miglavs

Concept

Some 150,000 years ago a small band of humans left Africa to populate the earth, according to DNA research and archeological finds.

In 1999, I began my search for myths and primordial dreams that could link us to that time before the African exodus. I visited the most remote, least-touched tribes in Africa, where I found oral stories, legends and archetypal dreams full of mystery and hidden meanings. As I listened to the body-painted warriors, elders and storytellers, I wondered if their narratives held Da Vinci Code-like secrets that we have lost?

Through photography, photo illustrations, journal entries, and narratives, Africa's Undiscovered Myths recounts five Gilgamesh-like journeys among of Africa's remotest tribes to discover if their ancient legends just might be the oldest stories known to man and the actual foundation for our current belief systems.

Amazingly, anthropologists say that I am the only person to have ever recorded these narratives passed down through uncounted generations.

Biography

Janis was born in 1948 in a displaced person's camp in Germany. He learned firsthand the importance of culture and the ripping pain of its loss when Communists invaded Latvia and tried to erase his homeland's way of life. Eventually he immigrated to the United States.

An Oregonian since 1982, Janis has photographed landscapes, architecture, and indigenous tribes worldwide. His work has appeared in National Geographic, Travel & Leisure, Sunset and many other publications. He also does advertising and commercial work for corporate clients like Hewlett Packard, Deloitte & Touche, Sheraton Hotels, Oregon Tourism, and Nikon.

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Africa's Undiscovered Myths

Searching for Man's Original Stories

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