Published in Odyssey Magazine: December 2007 / January 2008

Natalia Baker reports on a deepening relationship and communication between baboons and humans at the Manger, Lemoenskloof and the ways in which the work done here demonstrates the way forward into oneness.

Eleven kilometers east of Barrydale in the Overberg is a small settlement known to travelers for a beautiful labyrinth and the Peace Pagoda. Seven years ago the Manger was started here, a rehabilitation sanctuary for injured and traumatized baboons brought from farms far and wide.

I wrote an article about this project for Odyssey some years ago in amazement at the commitment of Nola and Peter Frazer, the owners, to the idea of inter species communication. Their aim was to work in co-operation with the baboons, never imposing their will but always seeking the baboon's agreement and support for any decision or action to be taken.

On a recent visit I was moved at how this principle of inter-species communication an cooperation has developed and deepened, as well as the expansion of this centre. Re-habilitated baboons are now ready to be released into a vast fenced area.

I gained more understanding of the meaning of oneness, the role of animals on the planet and how they are plugged into the innate wisdom of the Universal Intelligence. Their communications are both on a very practical level, for instance “we need more space”, as well as showing the deepest levels of wisdom and insight, such as “Everyone is special to me, even the cat” and “if you give people time to heal it would be a lot better”. Allow me to explore this further with you.

This centre demonstrates the possibilities that lie ahead for many of us in a new way of being and interacting with all life, exemplified by Nola and Peter and their volunteers. Nola and Peter, a homeopath, are two selfless individuals who have given their lives to grounding this vision in dedicated service and love. Whether aware of it or not, their example is increasing awareness, raising consciousness and pioneering this new way of being.

Those working at the Manger are contributing to this concept in different ways. Some are the “doers”, working practically and physically, others intuit information through observation and sensitivity and a few, such as Peter, have direct communication with the baboons. All roles are valid and necessary, and none is seen as better or more important so in this a fundamental principle of new energy consciousness is demonstrated. There is no hierarchy. Peter is in constant communication with all the animals at the Manger. He holds an inner connection from where he can receive and broadcast information and the baboons communicate with him mostly when they have a need. He is also able to tune in and have a chat or ask a question if he wants to.

Peter and Nola shared with me how their daily contact with the baboons has shown how each animal has a unique character but also a destiny or purpose, a spiritual contract both collectively and individually. Matthew, for instance, an alpha male, is the initiator of the rehabilitation centre. He came to them when he was six weeks old. It was necessary to have a permit to keep time so over time a cooperative relationship was formed with Nature Conservation, Baboon Matters, and the SPCA from this initial contact. Matthews purpose though was to create a safe space where farmers, who were having problems with the baboons, could take them. Working with the authorities, Nola and Peter are creating a win-win situation for all the animals and people involved.

As we know, a major pathology many of us humans suffer is that of control. Much of this is unconscious and it is hard to recognize because our intention is not bad but to make life and people move in the direction in which we feel would be “right”, comfortable, easy, safe. It is said the last lesson of the spiritual warrior is releasing control. As a species, for thousands of years, we have attempted to impose our will and control over all nature.

Nola related a very moving account of a lesson she was given in releasing control over the destiny of a much loved baboon, Joshua. Joshua was very overweight and consequently very ill. Nola had a particular bond of love with him because he was one of the animals around which the project started. Communication with Joshua gave clear indication that he did not need a diet and wanted to be left alone. Despite this Nola started to reduce his food. One day she was sitting in his enclosure, quietly weeping and pleading “We need you Joshua. Please don't go. We want you to see the project through.”
Joshua was lying on his side, not moving. He suddenly mustered the energy to leap to his feet for the first time in three days, grabbed his feeding bowl with the new diet food and repeatedly beat it against the bars of the enclosure. He then picked up the water bowl, and hurled it at Nola. She just got out of the gate in time but in a sever state of shock, so much so she slipped and impaled her knee on a sharp rusty object, drenching her jeans with blood. Peter tended to her but she required injections, antibiotics and was in bed for four days.

Later, as always, Peter and Nola discussed the incident to try to understand why it had try happened. Nola realized she had been remiss in not listening to Joshua's instruction to leave him alone and openly acknowledged that it had been her control issues that had brought this about. Although well-meaning, she had shown a natural maternal anxiety without respecting another's choices. She learned not to proceed with caring for an animal thinking she knew best. The lesson was one in surrender and simply to be there for another in love and compassion, in non-attachment and honoring of another's choices. Is this not a lesson which many of us could still learn?

An important aspect of this connection is that the baboons are not regarded as pets but honored as a species. In the progressive journey of rehabilitation nothing is imposed on them. The baboons indicate all the way along what they require and when they are ready. Head and heart work together as the baboon's progress is communicated, observed and intuited.

The baboons which are not related are gradually forming into troupes, which will move to a 5 hectare fenced space called Matthew's Paradise and once they are acclimatized there, they will be released into an adjacent 100 hectare tract of land. One day Matthew came through to Peter, telling him that the sleep sites (structures of poles and thatch) must be round with a pointed roof and not square as originally planned. This was firstly to give the baboons more protection from the wind and secondly, the baboon guard would be able to sit on the apex of the roof as a look-out. Matthew explained that if the roof was flat, the baboons would play and not pay attention on their guard duty! Peter learned from Matthew that guard duty was undertaken in shifts and each baboon sitting on the lookout post would rotate so that he would spend sometime looking in each direction.

Incidentally, when we went up to Matthew's Paradise (and indeed what a paradise it was: undulating hills, rock formations and beautiful fynbos) I saw some exquisite white quartz crystals radiating from the earth. My immediate instinct was to collect some to take home. Nola asked me if I had asked them whether they wanted to come with me. With a sense of shame at my crassness and insensitivity I admitted I had not. It was a lesson. This communication, this way of being, is for all forms of life. It demonstrated to me, yet again the profound and far reaching implications of living from the heart because it is only in the heart that I could receive an answer from the crystals. They were happy to come if they were to be appreciated and used for beautification.

The troupe building is done with the baboons' permission and even the land or cage is asked if it would support more baboons in that space. The alpha female or alpha male if there is one, is asked whether a baby can join them. The baby is asked whether it wants to go. For instance, Guinevere, who came to the centre when she was two days old, and Sammy, at five days old have been parented by Nola and Peter. Both the matriarch and baby are asked when it is appropriate to move from a human to a baboon mother. Joshua and Beth have surrogated 20 babies. Joshua informed Peter that he no longer wanted to do this because they are taken away and he would now like his own troupe.

I wish there was space to tell you some of the other astonishing stories.

When Peter communicates their messages his voice changes in tone to resonate the distinct character of the animal. Nicholas was one such example. Everyone loves Nicholas. He is a free spirit and does whatever he likes. One evening he announced “I am going back to sleep now as we have lots to do tonight.” Peter asked “Where are you going?” He replied “We are going to visit the whales tonight. It is fun! We ride on their backs and chase the fish.” Peter said: “Have a good night.” And Nicholas responded “Oh, we always do! You must understand we are the same as you and we can all do these things. We just don't monkey around!”

So there is fun and humor too and the experience of different dimensions just as we humans have. The message they give to us often is that we are stuck in worldly time and wish to do everything so fast and it is not helpful for us. But they do not have this experience of time at all. I am bemused! Even as I write this I am watching the clock because someone is due to arrive any minute and I would love to complete the article before the doorbell goes!

As you see, dear reader, there is wisdom and sophisticated levels of understanding coming through baboons which show how animals and all other forms of life are plugged into the universal intelligence. If we listen their wisdom can teach and guide us. Even from the baboons there were wise statements. Nola says that without communication with them she would not have leant to see the ‘bigger picture”.

This wonderful couple see this project as educational, raising awareness and supporting conservation. The centre is also an opportunity for scientific research. For the future a gallery is planned with regular exhibitions on baboons. There would be a focus on art but include displays of many of the books and papers they have collected over time. Above all, this must be an extraordinary example of how inter-species communication can lead us to oneness.

Peter and Nola Frazer can be contacted at e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or
P.O. Box 55
Barrydale
6750