User:SaamiNomad/sandbox/Exiled Nomad

(EXILED NOMAD (subculture)) is... (a bohemian who rejects the status quo of society in order to live simply, spiritually, and sustainably for the full-time pursuit of living a creative and authentic lifestyle.

A sub-type of the combined Gypsy and Zen bohemians described in Laren Stover's book, "Bohemian Manifesto; A Field Guide To Living On The Edge". Meaning their lifestyle centers around creativity, spirituality, nature, and travel.  If bohemians are generally described as people living an unconventional lifestyle in the pursuit of creative expression, then an exiled nomad is known for their unconventional lifestyle in the pursuit of creative expression and their deep spiritual and natural convictions/values.

"Exiled" speaks to their intentional rejection of society's status quo, and "Nomad" speaks to their desire to live lightly on the earth. These spiritual convictions often make them outspoken activists; environmental, anti-poverty,equality, etc. As well they tend to be very "world cultures aware" as they love to travel whenever the opportunity arises, often taking the best part of other cultures into their own lifestyles. Reasoning to themselves that it isn't cultural appropriation but rather that mimickery is the greatest act of flattery.

Exiled Nomads often make a living as artists (painter, writer, sculptor etc.), artisans (glass blowing, leatherwork, candle making etc.), providing skills (carpentry, welding, barista, etc.), or services (spiritual or life coach/guide, health and wellness instructor, wilderness guide, etc.). Often what they do will provide a direct outlet for their need to express themselves creatively, spiritually, and/or in nature (like an organic farmer).

It has always been common for exiled nomads to adopt alternative names to go with their alternative lifestyles - or that are reflective of their values. These are often called Trail Names or Journey Names. For example: Gypsy Boots creator of California's Health Hut and known for his participation in the Monterey and Newport Pop Festivals, and Christopher McCandless, from "Into The Wild" (novel and movie), who became known as Alexander Supertramp.

While people with exiled nomad values have likely existed throughout history, William "Bill" Pester, who first came to the United States at the age of 19 in 106 with his long hair, beard, and free natural lifestyle was likely the first person in North America to be widely known particularly for his exiled nomad lifestyle.

Bill was an avid wanderer, reader, writer, who made his living by making and selling walking sticks as well as homemade postcards with health tips. In later years he made money by allowing people to look thru his telescope while he gave lectures on astronomy. He made all his own clothes, including his sandals, and he loved to play slide guitar. He lived in caves and self-made natural shelters.

Bill became friends with the Cahuilla Indian Band who admired him for his very simple and natural lifestyle. And whom he admired for their wisdom and advanced knowledge of the spiritual and natural worlds.

EXILED NOMADS IN EARLY HISTORYAs already states Exiled Nomads likely existed throughout history, here are some recent historical events and people of note:

"Brothers and Sisters of the Free Spirit" (or Adamites) emerged in Germany and Holland in the early middle ages had strong exiled nomad convictions. As well as the Wandervogels (in Germany) and Nature Boys (in America) were both movements that emerged in the early 19th Century. In fact eden ahbez (always wrote his name in lowercase) who was the famed writer of the song "Nature Boy", recorded by Nat King Cole, was himself a Nature Boy mentored by Bill Pester. In Germany, "Lebensreform" (life reform) movements were created by youth as a direct protest against the modern industrialization of the time.

Many influences from these countercultures eventually became part of mainstream society; things like vegetarianism (raw food diets), macrobiotic diets, naturopathy, intentional nude sunbathing, natural cleanliness (skinny dipping), meditation, fresh air exercise, garden towns, soil reforms, massage as healing, communitarianism, pacifism, feminism (which back then included liberation of women, children, and animals) - and many other cultural and religious reforms.

Specifically, in 1866 Ernest Haekel of Jena University first use the term "ecology" making it a permanent scientific discipline for future generations. Also in the 1860's Eduard Baltzer published a four volume book about "naturliche lebenweize" (natural lifestyle) after which he organized some vegetarians and created a commune centered on his ideals. Then in 1883 Louis Kuhne of Leipsic Germany published a book titled "The New Science of Healing", around a topic which later became known as "naturopathy". And finally in 1896 Adolph Just wrote a best selling book "Return to Nature" in which he spoke out against air and water pollution as well as eating unhealthy foods, smoking, and drinking alcohol.

Of course there were many other movements that came out of these natural lifestyle reforms, like the building of the Youth Hostel system in 1907 by Richard Schirmann, but it would take too long to write them all down here.

Spiritually speaking they created a resurgence in nature, earth, and pagan religions, more commonly called "nature spirituality" in contemporary culture. Initially these pagan religions stood in direct opposition to the restrictive Christian movements of the time. Many exiled nomads, like Bill Pester, have looked to world indigenous religions and communities for guidance and teachings. In modern times many world religions - including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity - have seen the value of honoring the earth (and earth care) in their spiritual expressions, so it is becoming more and more common to see versions of the exiled nomad in these communities as well; usually on the fringes of these religions.

Much of the historical information listed above comes from the book "Children of the Sun" by Gordon Kennedy 1998, ISBN 0-09668898-0-0.

EXILED NOMADS IN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

In modern times, starting with the hippie movement of the late 1960's and early 1970's, until today - there has been a resurgence of this lifestyle and many topics; from vegetarianism, communes, and open nudity to feminism and organic farming all grew into worldwide popularity. While early and modern hippie movements have centered around sex, drugs and rock & roll - other groups in both era's have focused on "going back to the land" and living a more natural lifestyle.

Another contemporary sub-type of the exiled nomad is the Surf Bohemian who have adopted many of the exiled nomad values of living close to nature, eating healthy natural foods, cultivating deep spiritual convictions/values, living simply, travelling, and wearing wild haircuts.

These ideals have also travelled to many countries around the world, for example in the mid 1990's there were THE FERALS of eastern Australia. Who were known for their rejection of urbanism and returning to forested areas. At one point as many as 10,000 people lived in nomadic tipis in the Nimbin/Byron region of New South Wales.

In recent times there has been a resurgence of exiled nomad lifestyles among young people. Highly educated about world issues, like global warming and resource scarcity, and social issues, like fighting racism, poverty, and homophobia, these young people are actively searching for a better way to live. Outspoken young activists like Greta Thunberg are likely helping to increase the number of young people choosing to live differently than their parents.

INFLUENCIAL EXILED NOMADS

In Australia, Xavier Rudd, singer, songwriter, musician, and multi-instrumentalist is known to sing, and live in a way, that is very socially conscious, singing about spirituality, humanity, environmentalism, and the Rights of Indigenous Australians.

In Canada, artists Shoeless Dave and Bohomama are known to host and encourage, those in the greater exiled nomad community, at their homestead in southern Ontario, Canada.)

References

{{Laren Stover, "Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide To Living On The Edge", 2004. Bulfinch Press ISBN 0-8212-2890-0

Gordon Kennedy, "Children of the Sun; a pictoral anthology, from Germany to California 1883-1946", 1998. Nivaria Press !SBN 0966889800

Carole Travis-Henikoff, "Pop Surf Culture", 2008. Santa Monica Press. ISBN 9781595800350

Going Tribal, a documentary by Light Source Films, 1995

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External links

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