The Shadow of the Earth

Rich in environmental mood and ethnic color this human drama chronicles the lives and rituals of a nomadic Berber tribe in the southern Tunisian desert especially focusing on a son about to inherit the full mantle of leadership When he sees that their sheep are threatened with a possibly devastating illness the precarious nature of the groups existence is brought home to him and he leaves to gain a livelihood and knowledge in the city Once he gets back bringing money and presents it first appears that the group will be assured of a better future because of his enterprising outreach Yet military and governmental officials arrive on the scene to take a census and the young man is conscripted against his will