Saving Our Closest Relatives: A Benefit Concernt for the Bobobos

One issue that I have written about before and which I really wish got more attention is the near extinction of our closest relatives, the Great Apes. In particular mountain gorillas and possibly the Bonobo (pygmy chimp) are on the verge of being gone from the wild forever.

The main problem with saving the Bonobo is that, unlike the Common Chimp and the Mountain Gorilla, there are no big, well funded efforts to save them. Little of their territory is protected and no big names, like Dian Fossey or Jane Goodall, have ever worked to save them. So although they still have a larger population than the critically endangered (read that as almost extinct!) Mountain Gorilla, little is being done to protect them, so their population is declining far faster than anyone previously imagined. The Bonobo is one of the more fascinating Ape species. Many anthropologists think that the Bonobo, unlike the Common Chimp, does not use aggression to establish a dominance hierarchy but rather uses sex. Males and females will trade sex for food, for grooming, etc. Disputes often are handled through sex. Bonobos frequently have sex with pretty much all other Bonobos, and are thus bisexual. They are a clear example of how sex isn’t JUST about reproduction, but is also about social interaction.

March 10th will be a benefit concert to help save the Bonobos:

Buy Tickets online now! Click here to purchase via PayPal.

WHO: Wynne Paris and Groovananda celebrate the Bonobos, unique and virtually unknown "hippie chimps" of the Congo who "make love not war." They are facing extinction due to habitat destruction, illegal hunting and war.

Led by Wynne Paris's soulful baritone and magical sarod (Indian lute), Groovananda combines Western rock with classical Indian music to produce a divinely danceable sound. The group includes Grammy-nominated organist JT Thomas (Bruce Hornsby), jazz tabla maestro Badal Roy (Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman) and free-jazz pioneer Perry Robinson on clarinet. Also: rock guitarist/singer Debra DeSalvo, "Wind" Motika (vocals), bassist William Paris, and bhakti singer Uma Saraswati. Guest appearance by Sony recording artist Tina Sugandh, aka "Tabla Girl" (www.tinasugandh.com) Bollywood's latest infusion of pop, rock, and Indian rhythms...the next wave of global music because, "I think it's time for our beats to shine."

WHAT: Benefit concert to raise awareness and support for the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI), a nonprofit dedicated to the survival of the highly endangered bonobo ape and its rainforest habitat in the Congo Basin. In partnership with indigenous Congolese, BCI is establishing the Bonobo Peace Forest, a linked constellation of community-based nature reserves and conservation concessions covering a vast area of prime rainforest. Sally Coxe, founder and president of BCI, will present the latest developments on their environmental and humanitarian projects in the Congo.

WHERE: Jivamukti Yoga School, 841 Broadway, 2nd floor (between 13th and 14th)
Raw food delectables courtesy of Bonobo's Restaurant.

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 7-10:30 p.m. Call Jivamukti for reservations 212-353-0214 or order online via paypal HERE.

WHY: The Bonobos need help! Bonobos are humankind's closest relatives. These great apes are distinguished by a peaceful, cooperative, matriarchal society, remarkable intelligence, and loving nature. Bonobos are "friendly apes," enjoying sexual relations with members of either gender, both for pleasure and conflict resolution. They live in Africa's largest rainforest, which faces destruction by the imminent onslaught of industrial logging.

Buy Tickets online now! Click here to purchase via PayPal.