Brehons and Brahmins. Resonances between Irish and Indian cultures

by Manchán Magan

Ireland and India seem far apart, with apparently little in common in terms of culture, language, and tradition. Yet appearances can be deceiving: there are, in fact, remarkable similarities between the cultures that, once noticed, are impossible to ignore. They point to a shared kinship thousands of years ago that upends the concept of separation between Eastern and Western cultures. Think of it as a pebble dropped into a pool that caused circular ripples to radiate out: Ireland and India are like different points on the same ripple. This book is an exploration of these aspects of language, mythology, social structure, and legal system that we have in common.

Author of A Journey Through India, Manchán Magan blends his deep knowledge of Irish culture, history and people with that of the sub-continent in his own inimitable style as his absorbing journey of discovery and adventure continue apace.

Brehons and Brahmins is the first in a trilogy Manchán will be publishing with Mayo Books Press. It will soon be followed by illustrated books exploring cultural similarities and resonances between Ireland and Iceland, and Ireland and the Aboriginal cultures of Australia.

Illustrated by Aurélie Beatley.

Genres: History, Ireland, India

76 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

Manchán Magan was a writer, traveller and television presenter. He grew up in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 and was the great-grandnephew of Mícheál Seosamh Ó Rathaille (aka: The O'Rahilly) He has made over 30 travel documentaries focusing on issues of world culture and globalization, 12 of them packaged under the Global Nomad series with his brother Ruán Magan. He presented No Béarla, a documentary series about traveling around Ireland speaking only Irish. He wrote a travel column for the Irish Times and his show The Big Adventure, on RTÉ Radio One explored adventure holidays. He has written two books in Irish, 'Baba-ji agus TnaG' (Coiscéim 2005) and 'Manchán ar Seachrán' (Coiscéím 1998), and his English travel books include ‘Angels & Rabies: a journey through the Americas’ (Brandon, 2006), ‘Manchán’s Travels: a journey through India’ (Brandon, 2007) and ‘Truck Fever: a journey through Africa’ (Brandon, 2008).



http://irishmedia.blogspot.com/2007/1...

Irish Times profile, 2007 by Róisín Ingle.

Reviews

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely expansion on a topic that has come up time and again in Manchán’s book. While some knowledge of Irish folklore is required, the book is fascinating and beautifully illustrated.

[r · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give this a zero rating if I could. This ‘book’ is nothing but the meanderings of an entitled white man who has done no actual research. While this is not meant to be an academic text by any means, the lack of understanding and research on Indian culture/mythology is shocking. The author attempts to makes comparisons between Irish myths/culture and Indian ones. While the premise is interesting, the author ruins it by only drawing from North Indian privileged caste perspectives and stories as the definitive Indian mythology/culture. For example, why venerate Vishnu and ignore the story of maveli? He also very conveniently forgets to mention that that the Brahmins he compares druids to hold their position through a deadly hierarchical system that essentially enslaves and destroys the lives of millions of people from oppressed castes. These aren’t cute stories and folktales from history. They are tales and myths that are used still to this day to justify the rape, murder, and torture of people throughout India. Just look up ‘Dalit’ on the news section in Google. To romanticize Brahmins and Brahminsm as bearers of spiritual knowledge while ignoring that they consider themselves ‘pure’, ‘clean’ and they have and continue to benefit from the oppression, dehumanization, of Dalits (who are considered ‘untouchable’) and other oppressed people is the peak of white complicity. Even if the author consulted other Indians when writing this book, it is clear they were caste privileged and most likely from north India. The man should have stayed in his lane and only written about Irish culture and language. This is pathetic. The only good thing about this book is the art.

[Aaron McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunningly poignant book that highlights our collective similarities over our minor differences. A beautifully illustrated and meticulously researched book that is a must read for all those interested in culture, mythology, and native languages.

[Anya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a relatively short book which is nicely illustrated. However the links sound a but tenuous and far fetched. Of course we are certainly influenced by the spread of language and folklore from the east, and Irish mythology is fascinating, but how it is presented here didn’t quite work for me.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated exploration of themes and words shared between these two cultures. For ponderers rather than scholars.

[Kat Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about Irish and it's connections to other parts of the world.

[Jay Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very brief and the illustrations are great. As someone with Indian and Irish family it's fun to see that more unites the two sides than you'd initially think, especially linguistically.

[Pat Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An fascinating idea of the linguistic, mythological and folklore connection between Ireland and India.

[Lars Winky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating with gorgeous illustrations!