Africa forecast 2022
The return to the constitutional order in three countries hit by military coups, the downsizing of the French military presence in the Sahel and the instability in Ethiopia are the main challenges. In North Africa, prospects for the stabilization of war-torn Libya in 2022 are uncertain. By end 2021, both sides were disagreeing about the […]
Herbs & Plants: Leonotis nepetifolia – ‘A Lion ear’
In traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat a number of diseases like bronchial asthma, fever, influenza, cough, as well as treatment of epilepsy. Medicinal plants are a huge element of the indigenous medical systems. Leonotis nepetifolia (Family Lamiaceae) is one of such medicinal plant species with significant medicinal values. It is commonly known […]
Oral Literature: How the Hyena’s Fur became Striped
Once upon a time, there lived a spider, whose neighbour was a hyena. One day the spider and the hyena decided to go together to the river. When they reached the banks of the wide river, they met the king of the river. “Long may you live,” said the spider and the hyena to the […]
Colombia: The Ticuna ritual called ‘Pelazón’
The Ticuna indigenous ethnic group is one of the most numerous in the ‘Amazonian Trapezium’ which includes the triple border of Colombia, Peru and Brazil. The Pelazón ritual, which marks the transition from childhood to adulthood of a girl, is part of the cultural ceremonies of the Amazon community of the Ticuna people. Although some […]
Andean Spirituality: The Song of the Rivers
Water is sacred in Andean culture. It is both life and a human right; they are increasingly threatened by the mining system that poisons them. In the Andean world, water is fundamental; it contains a spirit which enables life to maintain its vigour and continually renew itself… as it flows. The song of the rivers […]
The fascinating mystery of migrations in the African skies
Hundreds of species of bird migrate seasonally, covering enormous distances, urged on by irresistible instinct. Scientists have discovered the origin of this behaviour and the surprising ability of birds to ‘learn’ from their journeys. The African skies are full of migrating species of birds that move, according to the season, from one specific place to […]
Mozambique: Music and Dance of the Makua – To the sound of drums
It began in an Islamic context as a religious dance but today it has a more secular character and is managed by the women of the Makua ethnic group who compose the words and music, singing and dancing. It is also an occasion of social liberation. The tufo music and dance, with its centre in […]
Herbs & Plants: Blighia unijugate – A Plant with a remarkable healing potentiality
A genus Blighia comprises only three species and is endemic in tropical Africa. It can be distinguished from the other two species by its leaflets having tufts of hairs in the axils of lateral veins. It is an indigenous tree widely distributed in the tropical forests in the Sub-Saharan Africa. It is commonly referred to […]
Bolivia – Apthapi, a time for sharing
Among the indigenous peoples of the Andes, every detail of life has a fundamental meaning because it strengthens one’s identity’. One example of this is the Apthapi: sharing food. The coexistence of the Andeans is interconnected with three existential spaces: Janaq Pacha (sidereal space), Kay Pacha (local space) and Ukhu Pacha (the space of depth) […]
Brazil – The Tree of the Land of the Free People
To be a people and to make theology with the people. Living the experience of God, the Liberator in the sequela of the Jesus of the Gospel. The experience of a woman theologian on a journey towards “feeling oneself as belonging to a people and understanding the people”. The territory where I live is on […]
