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Tha aibhnichean nan snaidheadairean àigheil air na cruthan-tìre mòra a tha ri fhaighinn air feadh a’ chruinne-cè. Tha iad a’ cnàmh bheanntan, a’ sgiurradh aghaidhean chreagan, a’ snaidheadh ghleanntan, a’ dèanamh talamh torrach agus an uair sin gan sgeadachadh len aibhnichean lùbach.

Ann an grunn àitichean, tha aibhnichean air am meas mar adhbhar dòchais agus rud a bu chòir adhradh. Ann an àitichean eile, ‘s ann ann an aibhnichean a tha daoine air an leigheas agus air am beannachadh, far a bheil peacaidhean air an glanadh agus na mairbh sgùirte.

’S e cuislean an t-saoghail a th’ ann an aibhnichean. Ge bith far a bheil iad, ‘s urrainn do bheatha a thighinn beò agus fiù ‘s soirbheachadh, cinne-daonna nam measg. B’ iad an dòigh siubhail a bheathaich agus a leasaich dhaoine agus a dh’fhosgail na crìochan eadar sgìrean agus dhùthchannan. Dìreach mar a thug aibhnichean cumadh air a’ chruth-tìre, tha iad cuideachd air cumadh a thoirt air beatha a’ chinne-daonna.

Rivers are the wondrous sculptors of the elaborate landscapes found on planet Earth. They wear away mighty mountains, scour rock faces, carve deep valleys, and create fertile plains and then decorate them with their meanderings.

In many places, rivers are seen as a source of great hope and something to be worshipped. In others they attract people for healing or blessings, where sins are washed away and the dead purified.

Rivers are the arteries of the planet. Wherever they travel, life forms can emerge, survive, perhaps flourish. They formed the transport routes enabling humankind to spread along the boundaries between regions and countries. Just as rivers shaped the landscape, they have also shaped human existence.