DR Congo. “I’m going to break the stone.”
“After spending over two decades in Italy, despite my 78 years of age and the loss of my vocal cords due to cancer in 2000, I couldn’t resist the inner urge to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).” Father Fernando Zolli tells us his story. In the 1990s and early 2000s, I lived […]
Uganda, discovering traditional barkcloth.
Our journey into the world of traditional African textiles continues. Today, we take you to Uganda to discover one of the continent’s oldest textiles: barkcloth, which has been a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008. Made from the bark of the Mutuba tree, a plant common in Uganda and southern Africa, the cloth is […]
Herbs & Plants. Catharanthus roseus. An Anti-Cancer Plant
It is one of the well-known medicinal plants that has its origin from the continent of Africa. The plant is commonly known as the Madagascar periwinkle or basically Vinca Rosea. It is a tender, perennial plant, which grows as a herb or subshrub sprawling along the ground or standing erect; growing to approximately 1 metre […]
Maasai – Animals used for Peace ceremony
The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania are all cattle keepers. The economy of the Maasai is based on their cattle and all the social aspects of the community are based on livestock. During drought or famine, the Maasai exchange livestock with other communities such as the Kikuyu, Okiek or Kamba. They give butter in an […]
Frontier Church/Libya. A Discreet Presence
The majority of the Christian community comes from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Despite a context marked by political instability and social fragility, the Church manages to maintain its role as a point of reference, offering support to the most vulnerable and building bridges of dialogue between different cultures and religions. We spoke with Father Magdy […]
Vocation Story. Uganda. Relying on the grace of God.
Comboni Bishop Dominic Eibu of Kotido diocese shares his vocation journey and missionary experience. I had no idea about the priesthood, though I enjoyed seeing priests whenever they came to our village chapel, which was rare. At secondary school, I wanted to be a bank manager! I was inspired to join the Comboni Missionaries in […]
A journey through traditional African textiles.
On the African continent, the history of many peoples is intertwined with the infinite variety of hand-woven textiles, whose production methods have become part of a country’s cultural heritage. Passed down from generation to generation, African textiles stand the test of time and fashion. Madagascar. Lamba cloth: memories, art and identity In Madagascar, the home […]
Oral Literature. The three travelling companions
Once upon a time, there was a man who was so poor that he did not know what he would eat in the morning, at noon or at dinner time. He didn’t own any land and slept under trees. One day, he said to himself, “I can’t go on like this. I’m going to go […]
African Cities. Eritrea. The Mirage of Massawa
Amidst stifling heat, colonial memories, and still-open wounds, the port city of Massawa, Eritrea, appears like a mirage of stone and dust on the Red Sea. Founded by the Arabs, it has endured domination and devastation, and today it exists suspended between ruins and resilience. A ghost town by day, it comes alive at night […]
Thailand. Making people feel they are not forgotten
Father Dominico assists in two large refugee camps in Thailand to people who have fled Myanmar due to violence and injustice. The priest accompanies the refugees as a spiritual director. He himself is originally from Myanmar. He understands these people’s language, their culture, and their pain. Narrow, dusty paths wind between simple bamboo houses. Children […]