Bolivia. The Ayoreos. The wedding, a celebration full of cultural symbols
The Ayoreos are an ethnic group that live in the eastern part of Bolivia. They number about 4,000 and live distributed in 29 communities. The name “Ayoreo” means “true men”. It refers to their way of life as hunters and gatherers. A glance at their wedding celebration. The celebration of marriage is not as rigidly […]
Mission Diary. Being close to the youth
Brother Jean Marie Mwamba Kabaya, Congolese, shares with us some reflections on what it means to be a formator of young men who are preparing to be missionaries. I have now been in Nairobi for a year as a formator at the International Brothers Centre, the last stage of formation for those young people who […]
Towards WYD in Seoul 2027 with the courage to change the world
Next November 24, the Solemnity of Christ the King, on the occasion of World Youth Day in the Particular Churches, in St. Peter’s Basilica the traditional passing of the symbols of World Youth Day (WYD) will take place between the young people of Lisbon who will hand over to those of Seoul the Cross of […]
Historic cities. Mombasa, the blue and white city
Mombasa, called the “blue and white city” for the colours of its buildings which symbolize the waters of the Indian Sea that bathe it, is a coastal city with its centre on the island of the same name. It is the second largest city in Kenya, with over one million inhabitants and a port that […]
Oral Literature. Once Upon a Time…
Once, a very long time ago, so long ago that it must have been close to the time when the First Man and the First Woman walked upon the earth, there lived a woman named Manzandaba and her husband Zenzele. They lived in a traditional home in a small traditional village. They had many children, […]
Plants & Herbs. Momordica. A highly valued in African traditional medicine
Commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, it is a climbing vine whose leaves and green fruits, though very bitter, are used in traditional medicine to fight cancer, diabetes and many infectious diseases. It is a widely distributed plant especially in Africa, Asia, and South America. This herbaceous, slender climber has slightly pubescent stems […]
Mission Diary. Keep moving
After fifteen years, he returns to his homeland. He shares his feelings and plans for the future after a year as a parish priest. My name is Father José A. Intuela Sagras, a Comboni Missionary from Mozambique. I was ordained priest in May 2014. My first assignment was in Chad, where I lived for nine […]
Mission Diary. The journey of the ancient evangelisers
Brother Luis Humberto Gonzales is a 49-year-old Combonian of Peruvian origin. A nurse by profession, he shares with us his experience serving the elderly and sick missionaries. The community hosts 65 missionaries, mostly Italian, who can no longer stay in their places of assignment and who have been sent to this health residence to be […]
Oral Literature. The Lizard and the Big Bird Palaver
Far away in the deep, dark forest, a big grey bird lived in a kola nut tree. This bird was so mean that he ate pepper in between meals so that his meanness would always show. He never had a pleasant word for any other bird, and he could not stand to share any of […]
Plants & Herbs. Combretum molle. A source of medicinal mumuye gum
It has been used in traditional medicine since time immemorial for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Indeed, almost every part of this plant (roots, leaves, seeds, twigs, and stem bark) has been used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments and diseases. Combretum molle is commonly referred to as […]
