Binaural Radio Rural
A podcast around rural sounds and archives by Binaural Nodar
Tramontana Series – Episode nº 27: Children of Water

We continue to present a series of Binaural Radio Rural podcast that is part of the Creative Europe funded project, Tramontana Network, which consists in a cooperation between 11 mountain-based cultural organizations from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Romania, Poland and Albania that all work in the intersection between ethnographic research and contemporary artistic practices.

Throughout the episodes of this podcast series we are creatively addressing rural-based subjects like agropastoralism, transhumance, water infrastructures and symbologies, social change and its impact on landscape and food production and consumption, the Ukrainian migration to rural areas in Europe and more.

The connection between children and water is profound, echoing through literature, mythology, and cultural practices. Water symbolizes life, purity, and rebirth, capturing the innocence and wonder of childhood that resonates deeply within various societies and cultures.

Symbolically, water evokes the idea of returning to the womb, reminiscent of the amniotic fluid that nurtures a fetus. This connection signifies safety and comfort, reinforcing the desire for children to play in water, whether splashing in a puddle or swimming in a pool. The pleasure derived from water activities creates an emotional link to the peacefulness of the prenatal experience. Just as we are cradled in the protective embrace of water before birth, children often find solace and joy in aquatic environments, allowing them to reconnect with that primal essence of being nurtured.

Throughout history, water has been revered in various civilizations as a source of sustenance and spiritual cleansing. In ancient cultures, such as those in Egypt and Mesopotamia, children were often introduced to rituals involving water, linking them to life’s cycles and the divine. For many Indigenous peoples, rivers and lakes are sacred spaces filled with teachings and stories handed down through generations. This strong association showcases water as a vital element in nurturing not only the body but also the spirit, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a connection to nature in childhood.

In religion, water often represents purification and renewal. In Christianity, baptism signifies the cleansing of sin and the initiation into a new life. Similarly, in Hinduism, the Ganges River is seen as a source of spiritual rejuvenation. Such practices highlight how children are introduced to concepts of life, death, and rebirth through their interactions with water. This early exposure might serve to shape their understanding of existence, connecting them to broader cultural beliefs.

Ultimately, the bond between children and water is a multifaceted relationship that encompasses joy, symbolic connections, and cultural significance. From the splashes of a child in a summer lake to the quiet contemplation of water’s depths in stories, this relationship invites a sense of exploration and wonder, which in itself encapsulates the deep meaning of childhood.

The sounds from this episode were recorded during a field recording series of workshops that were held in the summer of 2024 in several rural villages of the municipality of Vouzela and which methodology promoted the interaction of children with water sounds.

Special thanks to the municipality of Vouzela for inviting Binaural Nodar to develop this series of sound workshops.