0:00:12 > 0:00:16Lundy Island off the coast of south-west England -
0:00:16 > 0:00:20remote, alluring, unique.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Islands, no matter what the country or where they are,
0:00:23 > 0:00:25fascinate outsiders.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33We marvel at their independence and detachment from the wider world.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Life often evolves rather differently
0:00:36 > 0:00:40and those who live there are fiercely protective of their identity.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59The BBC's language service reporters have travelled the globe,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02from Indonesia's archipelago to the Caribbean,
0:01:02 > 0:01:07to discover some of the world's most curious and captivating islands.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37With its rich tropical landscape, Buru is a far-flung island
0:01:37 > 0:01:40hidden within Indonesia's immense archipelago.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01The islanders have traditionally survived off the land
0:02:01 > 0:02:06on eucalyptus farms and paddy fields. Four years ago, everything changed.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09According to local legend, a woman dreamt that there was
0:02:09 > 0:02:12something precious hidden in these mountains.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15She immediately began searching this vast landscape
0:02:15 > 0:02:18and amazingly found what she was looking for.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Word quickly spread and thousands followed her to Mount Botak,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25lured by this life-changing discovery.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Buru was laden with most precious resource of them all...
0:02:34 > 0:02:35gold.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42The hillsides were pulled apart and the digging began.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45There are workers digging down this mineshaft right now,
0:02:45 > 0:02:4740 metres below the surface.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50They'll be in there for 12 hours in the dark.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54There are environmental and safety concerns
0:02:54 > 0:02:57but the desire for riches is simply too great.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06Mahani was once a eucalyptus farmer, working for just 6 a day.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09As a gold digger, she earns five times that.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- TRANSLATION:- The gold is a gift from God to the people here in Buru.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18It changed people's lives - some can afford to buy a car,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20some can renovate their houses.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24It's dangerous but people fight for a better life.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31At schools across Buru, it's a lively start to the day.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33UPBEAT MUSIC
0:03:35 > 0:03:38The island's new-found wealth has meant more children can buy
0:03:38 > 0:03:43books and clothes. More of these pupils can afford high school, too.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48They say that they'd like to be doctors, teachers and policemen.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54For some families, daily life hasn't changed at all.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57They're just telling me it takes an hour to get home.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59They need to cross a river, climb a hill
0:03:59 > 0:04:01and then take a boat all by themselves.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04THEY CHAT IN OWN LANGUAGE
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Nania Otseko and Algin live on their own island.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15This rickety commune is run by their guardian, Mama Ronja.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19She came here from another island and belongs to the Bajo tribe.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23They're well known for living in houses on stilts.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Mama Ronja's been here for 30 years.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- TRANSLATION:- I would love to go to Jakarta
0:04:29 > 0:04:31to see the lights in the city.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35They say there are trains there and I've never seen a train.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39But it is just a dream. I want a different life for the kids.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43They should be whatever they want to be, finish university,
0:04:43 > 0:04:44maybe even become president!
0:04:52 > 0:04:58160,000 Indonesians live here and it feels like almost everyone
0:04:58 > 0:05:03hopes to make their fortune in these hills of gold, whatever the risk.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13One woman's dream has fundamentally changed Buru
0:05:13 > 0:05:14and its islanders.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Europeans once believed that this was the end of the world.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43El Hierro is the smallest, remotest part of the Canary Islands,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45one that tourists tend to miss.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49It never stops blowing on El Hierro.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54This iconic wild juniper tree has been battered for years...
0:05:56 > 0:05:59..which explains the unusual shape.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04But for the islanders, the wind has become a valuable resource.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- TRANSLATION:- The island of El Hierro, the remotest,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13the most neglected of the Canary Islands, has been
0:06:13 > 0:06:18fighting for more than 30 years to become energy self-sufficient.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21And we a dream of converting the wind into electricity,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25to improve the quality of life for the people.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30Wind energy isn't new but the genius of this island's system
0:06:30 > 0:06:33is that they have combined wind and water.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- TRANSLATION:- When we have enough wind in the wind farm,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42we produce electricity and distribute it through the grid.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46We use what's left to pump water from a lower reservoir to
0:06:46 > 0:06:48a higher one.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51When it stops blowing, we let that water fall
0:06:51 > 0:06:54through a set of hydraulic turbines
0:06:54 > 0:06:58and we generate electricity again for the population.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01El Hierro will soon be powered completely through this setup,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04making it the world's greenest island.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Whilst the wind is powering turbines down in the valley,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16up above the clouds it's propelling thrill-seekers through the skies.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- TRANSLATION: - It's the feeling of freedom,
0:07:39 > 0:07:41to be able to take off from these surroundings
0:07:41 > 0:07:43with a sea of clouds at your feet.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Go through them and pass by the 1,500-metre-high cliffs.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51And all of this all year round, in a place of incomparable beauty.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Welcome on El Hierro!
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Despite the abundance of wind on the island,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17fresh water is more difficult to come by.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21There are no rivers or natural lakes on El Hierro.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27So the islanders were forced to look elsewhere, deep underground.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33More than half of this island's water comes from wells like this,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36rainwater seeping through the volcanic rock.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40The rest is from three desalination plants.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Of course, this water is more natural and people say it tastes better.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The islanders often queue to fill their bottles
0:08:49 > 0:08:50straight from the wells.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Wherever you are, the terrain grabs your attention.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Look up, and the view can be just as absorbing.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Their unique system for powering an island may be too costly for some,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10impractical for others,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14but El Hierro could become an example to the world -
0:09:14 > 0:09:17a self-sufficient island on the road to a cleaner,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19more sustainable future.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Now from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30Zuhura Yunus from BBC Swahili takes you on a trip to the African
0:09:30 > 0:09:32island of Anjouan.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Daily life is a struggle for the islanders.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38The choice is stark -
0:09:38 > 0:09:41stick with it, or attempt a treacherous voyage
0:09:41 > 0:09:43to a more prosperous neighbour.
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Off the coast of Mozambique
0:09:54 > 0:09:59is an island where traditions are upheld and fragrant flowers grow.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13Life on Anjouan is hard, but the drive to prosper is evident.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25If you're scared of heights, you might struggle here.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29It's a volcanic island where mountains tower above you.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31The landscape is breathtaking.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43And hidden in these spectacular hills,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46a precious and prized commodity...
0:10:47 > 0:10:49..the ylang-ylang flower.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57A key ingredient in the world's most luxurious perfumes,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Anjouan is the world's top producer
0:10:59 > 0:11:03and these women pick up to 40kg every day.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Echa started out as a flower picker.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Today, she runs her own plantation.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- TRANSLATION:- We planted ylang-ylang and other crops
0:11:15 > 0:11:18but it's ylang-ylang that still generates an income today.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I worked in the fields picking flowers
0:11:21 > 0:11:24and eventually made enough money to buy the land.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Working ylang-ylang is very difficult in every way.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30And it comes at a cost, too.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35Trees are chopped down to fuel the 350 distilleries.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Production continues all year round.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48The challenges of life on Anjouan encourage young people to
0:11:48 > 0:11:50strive for something better.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Jemaldin's big brother left Anjouan three years ago.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58They haven't seen each other since
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and they only speak every three months.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05It seems like virtually every family here has a story
0:12:05 > 0:12:08of a loved one who's moved to a neighbouring island.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18Jemaldin's brother lives 40 miles away on the more prosperous
0:12:18 > 0:12:20island of Mayotte.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22As a French colony,
0:12:22 > 0:12:28it provides more jobs as well as free health care and education -
0:12:28 > 0:12:32opportunities that Anjouan can't offer.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Ousmani is here illegally but is willing to take his chances.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- TRANSLATION:- Here, you can make things happen.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Everything is possible.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49I've decided to do DIY so that I can make some money.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Many prefer to live in Mayotte because of the strength of the euro.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56If I can't start a business here, I will do everything
0:12:56 > 0:13:00I can to start a business in Anjouan and live there with my friends.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Back in Anjouan, the population is young and growing rapidly.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29This new generation will have to decide
0:13:29 > 0:13:33whether to leave or keep Anjouan as their home.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59Blanketed in jungle, fringed by beaches.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04Bugala Island is the biggest in Uganda's Ssese archipelago
0:14:04 > 0:14:06in Lake Victoria.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10For Ugandans, Ssese used to be a shorthand for remoteness.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Today, Bugala's abundant forests
0:14:17 > 0:14:21and thriving waters are drawing people to its glittering shores.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30You'd be forgiven for thinking that we're in the middle of an ocean.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35And it's the sheer size of this lake that makes the island so remote.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39But it is also what has sustained the people of Bugala.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46In the forests, there is life on every branch,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50and an income in each tree trunk.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53MUSIC PLAYED ON BALAFON
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Jude Kagame became a boat builder to put himself through school.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- TRANSLATION:- The boats we build are built for transporting people,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09food and animals and for fishing.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14Some of the wood we get from here on the island and some comes from Congo.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18The trees we use are getting more and more scarce,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20which is why we look to other countries.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Much of the forest has been cut down for palm trees.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Palm oil is in demand around the world.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Growing it can bring wealth, but it comes at a cost.
0:15:35 > 0:15:41Precise rows of palm encroach on what was once wild jungle.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And it's not just the landscape,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47islanders' livelihoods are visibly changing.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51He tells me five years ago,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54there were no more than four cars on the island.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Now he'll repair more than ten cars a week.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04And you'd need one to traverse
0:16:04 > 0:16:07the new roads which carve through the island.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12But look around, and it's a world of water.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Every morning, fishing boats arrive at the Nakatiba landing site,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26owned and run by the formidable Mama Sylvia.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30As a young woman, she'd fish in a small boat without and engine.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Now she presides over an empire.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38She came to Bugala in the '80s, and things were different then.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- TRANSLATION:- The reason I was attracted to this place
0:16:44 > 0:16:47was because where we were, the stocks had completely vanished
0:16:47 > 0:16:51and this place was teeming with fish.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55When we came here, there was no electricity.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00But we have started getting piped water and the roads are being constructed.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05In the coming years, Bugala's going to be so much better than it is now,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08because everything is being put in place.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12This community is an example of what it means to persevere
0:17:12 > 0:17:14patiently through tough times.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25Once considered distant and mysterious, Bugala is a place
0:17:25 > 0:17:28that a growing number of people are now calling home.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32The island is bursting with potential,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35but its resources aren't infinite.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39For now, though, Bugala continues to hold promise and to provide.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46In a moment, we'll take you spear-fishing with Rastafarians
0:17:46 > 0:17:49in the Caribbean but first, Andriy Kravets from the
0:17:49 > 0:17:55BBC's Ukrainian service uncovers a story of mysticism and legend.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07A tiny island in the middle of the mighty Dnieper River with
0:18:07 > 0:18:10a big role in Ukrainian history.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14For centuries, Khortytsia has provided spiritual sanctuary
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and helped define Ukrainian identity.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22After all, this is the birthplace of the national icon,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24the Zaporozhian Cossack.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32In Ukraine, when you want a little boy to stop crying, you tell him...
0:18:32 > 0:18:34HE SPEAKS UKRAINIAN
0:18:34 > 0:18:35"Be a Cossack."
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It's an old expression and it's all about being a warrior.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42TRADITIONAL FIDDLE MUSIC
0:18:42 > 0:18:46In the 15th century, men came here in search of freedom,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49democratic self-rule and independence.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54They trained, they fought, they defended their faith
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and became the stuff of legends.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Here, being a Ukrainian Cossack is something to be proud of
0:19:02 > 0:19:04and to show off to visitors.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- TRANSLATION:- The Zaporozhian Cossacks were very brave,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23decisive and courageous people.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28Our main task is not just to act, but to live like Cossacks.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32We are trying to find the essence of what Cossacks had and to transfer
0:19:32 > 0:19:36them into our modern life, so we work a lot with schoolchildren.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43In our times, the war has kindled the spirit of patriotism in society.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47So it seems to me that Cossacks will have a lot of work to do now.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55The waters around the island are brimming with
0:19:55 > 0:19:56remnants of its history.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Dmitry Kobalia is one of many archaeologists painstakingly
0:20:03 > 0:20:04restoring these treasures.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08The ship was found right next to Khortytsia.
0:20:08 > 0:20:14It was built in 1737 and it's based on a Cossack design.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Forcibly sunk at the end of the Russian-Turkish War,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23the boat is now part of Ukraine's unique past.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36It's not just Khortytsia's history that makes this place so special.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40On the other side of the island, in the stillness of the trees,
0:20:40 > 0:20:45there's something else that draws people here.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50With the touch of a flame, pagans start their ancient rituals.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Orthodox Christianity dominates the country
0:20:53 > 0:20:56but at the island's ancient standing stones,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00it is nature that is worshipped in a 1,000-year-old Slavic tradition.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- TRANSLATION:- For us, to be a pagan is to respect our land,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11our culture and to develop the future of our nation.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Khortytsia is a sacred island for us.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18The first time I got on this island, I got lost in the forest.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Suddenly I felt that my legs were growing into the ground.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23I became part of the earth.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33Contemporary politics of the country have had an impact on people here.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38With both ancient traditions
0:21:38 > 0:21:42and modern history preserving the island, it's seen as crucial
0:21:42 > 0:21:47in defining national identity and forging the country's future.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07On Old Providence, time ticks that little bit slower.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12If you want to do something quickly, you've come to the wrong place.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Old Providence is one of the few places in the Caribbean that
0:22:33 > 0:22:35hasn't been overrun with tourism.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39And the people want to keep it that way.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41You can see why!
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Yet work is hard to find
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and many grumble about the lack of opportunities.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Only the ocean offers regular reliable employment.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- TRANSLATION:- Every day, you need to get up and make it your own.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Here, you can't say, "I'm off to my job,"
0:23:20 > 0:23:23because there are no businesses, no multinational companies,
0:23:23 > 0:23:24none of that.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Only the ocean.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30The sea is our biggest economy and it doesn't matter if it's legal or illegal.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Not everyone operates honestly in these waters.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Too many islanders are lured into drug smuggling.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43This is the biggest threat to their way of life.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Nobody denies this but nor do they dwell on it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Yeah, man! Whoop!
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Here, they are incredibly protective of their culture,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01even if outsiders disapprove.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05In many parts of the world, cockfighting is a big no-no.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08But for the islanders, this is pure entertainment.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10They love to gamble.
0:24:16 > 0:24:22From the beach to the street, big booming tunes pump out everywhere.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25BOOMING MUSIC
0:24:25 > 0:24:28With a new recording studio, there is the chance to capitalise
0:24:28 > 0:24:32on this passion, encouraging young talent to flourish.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38# Yeah
0:24:38 > 0:24:40# Yeah... #
0:24:40 > 0:24:44I think the music studio is a great opportunity for the young peoples,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48you know, because they have something new to do.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51# Yeah, yeah... #
0:24:51 > 0:24:55THEY SING IN SPANISH
0:24:57 > 0:25:01I write about how guys treat ladies.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04They treat ladies like garbage.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07And I know it will be one day that we get to it
0:25:07 > 0:25:13when ladies take over this island, because this is ours, not for them.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Nah!
0:25:15 > 0:25:16SHE LAUGHS
0:25:27 > 0:25:31When you visit, you have little idea of the threats facing this island.
0:25:38 > 0:25:44In Old Providence, your soul is easily swept away with the Rastafarian vibe.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50Every day feels like a lazy Sunday afternoon.
0:26:13 > 0:26:20Island living requires creativity, ingenuity, and endurance.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Islands have become worlds of their own -
0:26:23 > 0:26:27worlds we've come to know through people's Island Stories.