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 […]
Blessings in African Culture.
In Western cultures, blessings are essentially spoken words that emphasise the power of language. In African cultures, however, blessing combines both speech and action; although verbal formulas are rare, there are rituals of blessing. The emphasis is on action: to bless is to take action. The most common word for ‘blessing’ among the Bantu of […]
Africa Cuisine. South Africa, sosaties with apricots and onions
Sosaties are marinated meat skewers, a classic South African braai staple. Here’s a tasty variation enriched with spices, onions, and apricots, which add a sweet note to the grilled meat. Time: 30 minutes + overnight marinating Serves: 4-5 Ingredients: 450g diced lamb leg 150g dried apricots 2 red onions 30ml wine vinegar 3 tablespoons […]