Colombia. The Wayúu. The spider taught them how to weave.
In the northern tip of Colombia and Venezuela, an indigenous ethnic group has survived, proud of its artisanal tradition. From one stitch to another, this is the textile culture of the desert. According to the myths and traditions of the women of the Wayúu community, settled in the Colombian department of La Guajira, on the […]
Kenya. Pökot, the Parpara Ceremony
The Pökot are a Nilotic people. They live in Western Kenya, in the West Pokot and Baringo districts, and Uganda, in the Karamoja region. We look at the Parpara ceremony, a rite that every Pokot woman must perform before giving birth to her first child. It is a long rite that lasts all night. It […]
Cameroon. Improving the quality of life.
In just two decades, the small Dominican health centre in the Mvog-Betsi neighbourhood has become one of the best hospitals in the Cameroonian capital. Founded by a coalition of Dominican women’s congregations to provide health care to the most vulnerable, it now boasts 180 beds and specialised services, including a palliative care unit and a […]
The impact of Catholic missionaries on healthcare practices in Africa
Catholic missionaries have played a significant role in shaping healthcare practices within African communities, integrating medical efforts with evangelisation work. This holistic approach combines spiritual and physical care, resulting in significant contributions to several key areas. Juan Carlos Salgado Ortiz, a Comboni missionary brother who worked as a doctor in Africa, explains why. Catholic missionaries […]
Mazagran, the original Algerian cold coffee
For a refreshing break or to start your day in the summer, it might be a good idea to try the original Algerian cold coffee, the mazagran. The name comes from Mazagran, a port city in Algeria. The origins of the drink are uncertain, but some sources suggest that in the 1840s it was drunk […]
Oral Literature. The swallow brings the summer.
The Black and white swallow flew high up in the clear, blue sky, wheeling and diving, his fast, pointed wings carrying him at a great speed. Swallow loved flying and never returned to his nest on the cliff-side until the warm sun was low in the West and the long, evening shadows were merging. The […]
Papaya. Orange-coloured richness
Sweet, rich in properties, and relatively easy to grow. A fruit from Latin America that has found a new home in Africa. Very adaptable. Its consumption promotes good health. Papaya is one of the most cultivated and consumed exotic fruits in the world. It grows on characteristic single-stem plants between three and ten meters tall. […]
Central African Republic. “My Promised Land”.
Father Moses Otii recalls the armed conflict that began in the Central African Republic in 2012, along with the hope and efforts of the population to achieve peace. Born in Uganda in 1979, he entered the minor seminary at the age of 13. There, he had his first contact with the Comboni missionaries who ran […]
Sri Lanka. Sharing life and prayer
Sister Patricia Lemus, a Guatemalan Comboni missionary, has been in Sri Lanka for over five years and in the town of Hatton for just over a year. She shares the challenges of her mission on the Asian continent. Hatton, a relatively small town situated at an altitude of 1,270 metres, was established during the British […]
Morocco: Tagine of meat and dried fruit.
Today we go to Morocco to discover a fragrant and tasty traditional dish: the tagine of meat and dried fruit. The Arabic name comes from the terracotta dish in which it is cooked. Time 3h Serves 4 Ingredients 1 kg lamb or beef shank, 1 l water, olive oil to taste, 2 large onions, […]
