David Sneath worked with producer Anthony Denselow for BBC World Service radio Heart and Soul series, to tell the remarkable story of how a 10-year-old Mongolian boy has been recognised by the Dalai Lama as the new reincarnation of the head of Gelugpa School of Buddhism in Mongolia, the 10th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu.
David interviews a variety of Mongolians, including the mother of the new reincarnation, to present a range of different opinions about both the institution of the reincarnate senior lama, and the remarkable story of its newest incumbent.
David Sneath specialises in the anthropology of Inner Asia, particularly Mongolia, focusing on political economy and ecology, representations of historical and cultural heritage, land use and the environment, and post-socialist transformation. David is the Director for the Mongolia and Inner Asia Studies Unit (MIASU).