An isolated mountain group in the Sierra Nevadas of Colombia, the Ika, who may be a remnant of the once flourishing Mayan Civilization, are agriculturalists with a profound interest in matters cosmological. Their difficult and vanishing way of life is captured with great attention to detail by Gardner’s always alert but respectful camera.

A collaborative effort between Gardner and Hilary Harris about the Nilotes, who live on a tributary of the Blue Nile, the filmmakers’ original intent was to study their dancing, for which they have a great passion. Unhappily, small pox was rampant at the time of their trip, and people cared little about dancing.