In Eastern Angola, a group of lakes might occupy some of the least visited corners of the planet. They feel like a world without industrial development, proof that humans can’t be so bad if there are still places like this. It’s so good, that maybe...the best thing to do to protect it is stay out? For hundreds of years, the demon-like dragon Mukisi and its legends have guarded the lakes with great success. In this episode, we explore what outside attempts to protect this landscape will actually do.

To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com.

This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa featuring interviews with Stefan Van Wyk, Marisa Rodrigues, Ralph Legg, and the greater NGOWP team. We owe a big thank you to the women in the Luena marketplaces who let us ask them questions about their products, and Jose Vitanga. This Episode is dedicated to the late WaYei poler and expedition guide, Leilamang Kgetho, also known as “Schnapps.”

This podcast is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Fact-checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato. Geração 80 is the recording studio homebase in Angola.

Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama. 

The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga.

Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.