Africa 2021: Security and Elections
Clouds appear on the horizon in Sahel and forthcoming elections in several parts of the continent may contribute alongside with the economic crisis aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic to raise tensions. The deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region and more particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger is the main concern in West Africa. […]
World Council of Church: Christmas message 2020
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah (Luke 2:10-11). The child in the manger, in its vulnerability, is an […]
How the Phoenix got her fine plumage
A very long time ago before men had learnt how to hunt and set traps, all the birds lived together peacefully in a great forest. Theirs was a happy and carefree existence, the forest supplied all their needs. There was a plentiful supply of nuts, fruits seeds and berries for the birds to feed on […]
Nigeria: The dance of the street children
The Dream Catchers Academy is an organisation that helps street children towards more dignity and a future. Lagos is the biggest city in the whole of the African continent and one of the most densely populated in the world. It is so big that other ‘cities’ have formed within Lagos itself. In the area of […]
Africa: Ubuntu, to live positively
In the African context, Ubuntu is a religious belief which concerns the need for humans to live together positively. This belief is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. African traditional religion is handed down orally. Unlike the other great ancient religions, for instance Hinduism or Buddhism, unless an outsider comes into contact with the practised […]
Christmas in the Philippines: The Longest Ever!
Nowhere else in the world can you witness Christmas celebrations lasting longer than in the Philippines. It starts in September and ends with the Epiphany. Simbang Gabi “night masses” in December is one of the main features of the season. Christmas observances officially start on December 16 and end on the Epiphany, that is, with […]
Mexico: The Marimba, the Sound of the Forest
The story behind the marimba narrated by a Chiapaneco storyteller. We met him in the Coyoacan neighbourhood, in Mexico City. It was a Saturday afternoon, and we were walking through the Santa Catarina square in Coyoacan, a neighbourhood south of Mexico City. The name Coyoacan comes from the Nahuatl language and means ‘the place of […]
Oral Literature: The Tortoise, the Dog and the Farmer
Once upon a time, there was famine in the land of the animals because the dry season had extended more than usual. There was no rain in the land and every animal was looking rather thin and unhealthy because very limited food was available. However the tortoise observed that his friend the dog was looking […]
Sami: An indigenous European people
The Sami have always lived in the far north of the European continent. Historically oppressed and assimilated, they are today fighting to keep their culture and traditions. All despite advancing modernisation. The Sami are an indigenous people numbering around 75,000. They are divided by the borders of four countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia […]
Bolivia: Water, Source of Life in the Andean Pacha
The Andean peoples preserve their ancient wisdoms with great care in order to lead a good life. Wisdoms that have been transmitted for hundreds and thousands of years. The wisdom of water. We Andean people consider our Pachamama as the Mother of the universe, as the Mother of the Pacha. The name Pachamama is made […]