A series of seven films in which David Attenborough relates masterpieces of the world's tribal art to the people and places that produced them.

The Indians of the Northwest Coast of America had a genius for the theatrical. Their dances were rich in illusion and they used powerful masks to conjure the spirits of forest creatures from the darkness.
The great chiefs proclaimed their status with lofty totem poles and spectacular ceremonies called ' potlatches.' Potlatching was outlawed for many years but survived, and each summer thousands of dollars in gifts change hands as the chiefs compete for the highest standing among their people.

(Repeated: next Saturday evening)