For the sake of inspiration and learning

[Maweya Hufwe]

While browsing things of developments and similar project, I felt it was necessary to start a little thread for the purpose of inspiration as well as a nice reminder of how much hard work this project will be. This isn't to dishearten anyone! Just simply show what glimpses we can find on how to tackle this thing and keep in mind of the joys that these people have come to with their dreams coming together. Some of these you might notice I had posted elsewhere, but I figure placing this here for those who did not visit the other threads as well as a place to add on to would be needed.

The first is the Lammas Project: An on going project still in it's early stages despite being in development for a couple years now. By far one of my favorite uses for research, it included the extensive project permit application (which was previously rejected for not having sufficient information) as well as a video archive of the process of the project and supporting projects like Cloughjordan and Brithdir Mawr. I high recommand looking at this site and watching the videos -very educational, though the intro song can get a little annoying. Site: http://www.lammas.org.uk/
Videos: http://www.livinginthefuture.org/

Second, it Tony Wrench's Roundhouse: One among the best examples of low-impact living and fighting to keep it despite governement not wanting to acknowledge the pluses of such a feat. I'm under the impression that his house, and many others, have been granted to continue to be built (after years of fighting!) and Tony now holds courses for building roundhouses and other low-impact dwelling. If I remember correct, Tony is now also involved in the Lammas project, but I could be mistaken. Site: http://www.thatroundhouse.info/

Gaia Trust: Great place for more information of eco-villages and the like. Site: http://www.gaia.org/gaia/

Creating Your Own Sustainable Community: A great read on getting things rolling and tips to keep everything on the right foot. Site: http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/eco-vill.htm

Cloughjordan: Another ecovillage in the making this it's first residents moving into their first homes last year. A wealth of information on this website! Site: http://www.thevillage.ie/index.php

I'll probably add more later, but I encourage everyone to take a look at these mentioned above, especially the Lammas videos. There is so much we need to learn!

[Key'ìl Nekxetse]

Interesting sites. The Lammas project is interesting, although I think we're aiming at more primitive construction. We probably haven't decided yet.
It highlighted for me the problems posed by regulations on hunting and building in the area we would want to live. This will be a problem we have to solve once we have decided on a location.

[Tonbogiri]

Wow! Great set of information, just checking it out now.
Karma for you  Maweya Hufwe, you seem to be a really comitted member.

And yes, once a location is decided then these will become some of the most important things to discuss. In fact, it could be that location will be affected by some of these factors...

[Maweya Hufwe]

Thank you for visiting these.  And while I know these are more for eco-villages and things and most are striving for primitiveness, I think it is important to keep an opened mind. I think once we've establish what we're all about -mission/vision statement, we may be able to adopt some of these ideas into our project. But, I'm probably of the unpopular side of things: wanting a tight mixture of both eco and traditional/tribal living -not separate but intertwined. A tribe that isn't just living off the land, but also helping it and giving back to it -especially to maintain sustainability; in other words 'carry on into the indefinite future.' I'd also like to provide to the outside world that our way is a good option and will benefit in the long run of mankind.

[Key'ìl Nekxetse]

I think sustainability of our way of life must be one of our goals, as we can't live with nature if we are destroying at the same time.

[Maweya Hufwe]

Yes, sustainability is one of our goals -and the goals of the country we wish to settle on -whenever we decide where that may be...

While looking into New Zealand and things, mostly for giggles and fancies, I've come to a very important realization that should probably be addressed.  We might have a much larger problem when it comes to the view of making a traditional tribal community (with the hunting and the way we construct of homes): the possibility of not being allowed to build on other countries' lands. It's one thing to be natives and having already established yourself in a place, but usually when immigrating and buying land, the respective government may want to know what IT will be getting out of letting us park ourselves there.

Example being New Zealand. One thing that the country requires foreigners interested in buying land is to summit planning information and possibly application. At the top of that application, they are going to want an idea of how their land will be used to benefit the people and "ensure the characteristics of sensitive land." Upon that, the foreigners, for example Us, would also have to show that our buildings meet their standards of safety and provide ways that they will be able to continue to contribute over a indefinite amount of time; whether by land based jobs or full intergration with the neighboring people.

Basically I don't think countries (NZ or any others) are going to allow a bunch of people to just set up camp on their land and possibly impose on them and their society due to the threat of possibly stealing jobs, resources, over population of an area, and many more issues. It's simply a "If I invest my land to you, what are you going to do with it and how does that effect and benefit my country/government/people." Which is a very understandable question. And if we can provide stable answers to this question we will be just a step closer.

[Key'ìl Nekxetse]

I think our main advantage is that we will give them something unique, we want to be sustainable and we want to show that an international community can become self sustaining. This might be something that could be used to 'market' the project.
Other benefits could include tourism, forest management, and adding to the economy through buying land and selling goods. For that we need to know how we will be getting money.

[Maweya Hufwe]

Yes, that would be great for expressing our benefiting factor. I'm more concerned about the idea of using bare minimums, some building ideas, and not using current technologies for the tribe. I just think we should keep in the back of our minds the need to appear organized, non-threatening, civil and well-thought out. Just saying that certain areas of 'primitive' will probably not allow us to be successful.