Over the past 70 years, the forest has all but swallowed up evidence of those times. They often huddle miserably and simply get wet. While males usually use charging displays as an intimidating greeting when they encounter group mates that they haven’t seen recently, the rain dance seems to occur at any time and in the company of anyone as long as a storm is brewing. The accompanying odors of sweet grass and decaying leaves plastered to the sidewalk. 1988. forest daydreams include opening a vegan burrito restaurant in a rural Privacy Notice |  Sustainability Policy |  Terms of Service |  Code of Ethics. All rights reserved. When I’m not focused on following a chimpanzee, my What do the chimpanzees think of this prolonged wet season? They often huddle miserably and simply get wet. But these “rain dances” are more methodical. So has the forest. Sometimes though, chimpanzees perform what researchers call “rain dances”: vigorous yet deliberate physical and auditory displays. These figs are not just a staple food for chimpanzees. A National The accompanying odors of sweet grass and decaying leaves plastered to the sidewalk. I could only watch, and marvel at the magnificence of these splendid creatures. While males usually use charging displays as an intimidating greeting when they encounter group mates that they haven’t seen recently, the rain dance seems to occur at any time and in the company of anyone as long … Now, I study angst, or at least the Dr. Sylvia Amsler is a lecturer in anthropology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Goodall, J. Although daily thunderstorms can be demoralizing when trying to observe chimpanzees, this heavy rainy season has its advantages. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 14,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. But these African apes make little attempt to stay dry in the rain. But now, after three months of western Uganda’s rainforest rainy season, I’ve had enough rain. Are they taking advantage of the thunder and rain—ominous sounds to embellish their own prowess? Are they in their way praying for the end of the rains? home to 200 chimpanzees, the subjects of my dissertation. male chimpanzees. Sometimes though, chimpanzees perform what researchers call “rain dances”: vigorous yet deliberate physical and auditory displays. A wrong step and I’ll have mud up to my knees. closest thing to it: friendship and the transition to adulthood in There’s something comforting—almost nostalgic—about rain; the way it muffles other noises as it taps the street and drums the window. Or, faced with an awesome display of the power of nature, is it some semblance of spirituality? Ugandan village and making a documentary about an old fig tree. But these “rain dances” are more methodical. Trails and animal paths have become streams; the forest is doing all it can to siphon out the excess water. What were once valleys are now impassable swamps, unless a fallen tree can act as a balance-beam bridge. I’m sure that at my university campus back home there’s also the smell of wet dog—probably due to all the drenched squirrels. But before they seek cover under a tree, while branches sway in the wind and I hop to and fro zipping up my rain pants, male chimpanzees do something unusual: they dance. What is now Ngogo research camp—my home for the year—was once a small village. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Chimpanzees live in rainforest habitats where the rainy season brings regular thunderstorms. write from Ngogo, in the center of Kibale National Park in Uganda, Chimpanzees at Gombe National Park in Tanzania often become animated during rainstorms and around waterfalls. They don’t look happy hunched on a branch, arms crossed, their hair drenched, forming spikes as if gelled into a 90s hair-do. As long as I stay in the good graces of the forest spirits, I expect the wet and dry seasons will come in good time each year, especially if Garrison keeps dancing. Occasionally several males will charge through the rain together, taking turns displaying in an exaggerated fashion. Are they, like me, frustrated with the rain itself? But there is a large mucuso fig, affectionately known by researchers as Mother Mucuso, that used to be the spiritual center of the village. To learn more, visit. This wet period usually ends November 16, plus or minus ten days. He makes large figure eights around the other chimpanzees and me. I am a PhD student in Anthropology at the University of Michigan. People in the village outside the forest were dreaming of a wet Christmas. The Ugandan chimp trackers report how villagers would go down to the immense fig to make goat sacrifices and give gifts of sorghum beer. © 1996 - 2019 National Geographic Society. October and November provided considerable food, specifically a favorite fig, Ficus mucuso. In the Shadow of Man (revised edition). I Among humans, they are thought to harbor the old, natural gods, which used to hold sway in western Uganda before Christianity. But the rains continued well into December. Rain dance But most pertinent to the discovery of the “shrine trees”, we’ve seen evidence of chimps displaying strange ritual-like behaviour in the last few years. In my time at Gombe I witnessed an average of two to three waterfall displays and rain dances per year. Rain often subdues them, at least once heavy droplets break though the canopy. Our videographer, Bill Wallauer, answered a letter inquiring about this behaviour and we share his observations and thoughts below. The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Read More About Ugandan Chimps by Aaron Sandel, National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. A male leader chimp starts to perform what is referred to as the 'rain dance', presumably in celebration for the end of the dry season. I like squirrels. Geographic Young Explorers grant in 2013 got me through the angst of I... There’s something comforting—almost nostalgic—about rain; the way it muffles other noises as it taps the street and drums the window. With a display of strength and vigor such as this, primitive man himself might have challenged the elements.”.

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