The Relic Hunter With Ian Grant
Premieres: Southeast Asia on Dec 5 at 6:30 pm; North Asia on Dec 7 at 8:00 pm
UNCOVER ANCIENT ARTIFACTS AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY MEAN IN TODAY'S SOCIETY ON THE RELIC HUNTER WITH IAN GRANT
- Modern-day 'Indiana Jones' travels the world in search of rare, mystical pieces of the past -
Embark on an adventure across the globe with Ian Grant on Discovery Travel & Living's new series The Relic Hunter With Ian Grant, as he goes in search of unusual relics used by different cultures and reveals the roles that these ancient objects play - whether in daily life or exotic ceremonies and rituals. From India's Malabar Coast and the Himalayas in Nepal to the remote mountains of Romania and the rainforests of Peru, Ian uncovers exotic relics that supercede the realm of ordinary.
Ian Grant is an intrepid adventurer and obsessive collector who has a penchant for straying way off the beaten path to track down incredible and sometimes mystical objects. As an art historian and world-class professional buyer, Ian specialises in finding the unusual, the unique and often overlooked. Looking for a traditional Apinti "talking" drum or three-stringed "guimbri"? Ian's your man. More than trendy souvenirs, these artifacts serve as mouthpieces for remote tribes and villagers, giving them a voice that would normally be overshadowed in the modern society.
The adventure-enthusiast's travels are not just a 'treasure hunt'. Ian also gains an understanding of local customs by engaging in various activities, such as participating in a Voodoo sacrifice in the jungles of Togo, West Africa; riding wild horses with the traditional honour guard in the Atlas Mountains; and learning how to use the "breath of death" with a blowgun in the Peruvian Amazon.
Come along on a journey of adventure and discovery, of the past and the present, on these episodes of The Relic Hunter With Ian Grant:
India
While on the hunt for relics in India, Ian explores a legacy of riches left in the wake of the historic spice trade. Travelling along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala, Ian visits local craftsmen and villagers, whose traditions and methods of creating luxury goods for the wealthy have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
Nepal
In the Katmandu Valley of the Himalayas, Ian discovers extraordinary relics inspired by one of the holiest places on Earth - Nepal. As he explores the ancient cities and surrounding mountain villages, Ian participates indifferent religious Buddhism, Hinduism and Shamanism ceremonies, and becomes enamored by the different artifacts used in these traditional ceremonies.
Morocco
Ian travels to Morocco to hunt for relics inspired by the legendary Tran-Saharan trade route. Focusing his search in and around the former imperial city of Fez, he discovers a wealth of traditional items still being made by local artisans using time-honored methods. Ian also encounters a centuries-old religious ritual where he's presented with his ultimate object - a three-stringed lute called a "guimbri" used by the Gnawa people of Morocco.
Turkey
While hunting for artifacts in Turkey, Ian discovers a legacy of eastern influences brought to the area by the legendary Silk Road. Ian's quest for his ultimate object - a hand-tied Turkish rug - takes him into the Toros mountains, where he discovers descendents of nomads still making rugs using centuries-old techniques.
Suriname
While hunting for relics in South America, Ian chances upon one of the most ethnically diverse yet least explored countries in the world - Suriname. As he traces Suriname's fascinating history, he discovers a strange brew of African, Asian, European and native Amerindian cultures. Travelling deep into the jungle, Ian negotiates for a traditional Apinti "talking" drum as well as a hand-carved paddle made by the Maroons, descendents of runaway slaves.
Peru
Ian treks deep into the rainforest of Peru to search for relics inspired by one of the most rugged regions in the world - the Amazon Basin. Travelling along the river by boat, he encounters indigenous tribes of people who maintain traditional, primitive lifestyles. Ian's quest for an authentic Yagua blowgun takes him to a tiny village where he learns firsthand how to make and use "the breath of death" to hunt for small game.
Benin/Togo
In his search to uncover relics associated with voodoo, Ian travels to Benin and Togo, where he encounters a culture full of fetish markets, animal sacrifices, countless deities and bizarre rituals - many never before captured on film. A pair of authentic voodoo dolls, a ceremonial mask and a voodoo priest's sacred fetish stool are among the objects Ian seeks to add to his collection of artifacts from around the world.
Romania
Ian ventures to the Maramures region of Romania to search for relics that symbolise this isolated area's medieval way of life. As he travels through the picturesque countryside, Ian discovers a rural landscape dotted with peasant farmhouses and tiny wooden churches. Even more unbelievable are the archaic customs, the folk art, and the everyday objects that characterise this fairytale-like land.
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