Oral Literature. The Hare and the Crown bird
One day the hare and his friend the crown bird went together on a journey. They were going to visit the house of hare’s uncle. They travelled over hills and valleys until they came to a river. Beside the river, an old woman was washing herself. “Please”, the old woman asked the hare, “help me […]
Belize. The Maya. The art of basket weaving
Mayan arts and crafts are an exclusive manifestation of their lifestyle and dominant culture. Their skills and talents prove that they were an advanced civilization that developed technologies, ideas, concepts, designs, and architecture that still amaze us today. There have been discoveries of elaborate Mayan sculptures, artifacts, paintings, pottery, and innovative creations and designs. Like […]
Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), total global military expenditure reached $2443 billion in 2023, an increase of 6.8 per cent in real terms from 2022. This was the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009. The 10 largest spenders in 2023 – led by the United States, China and Russia – all increased […]
Talitha Kum against people trafficking
Fifteen years ago, Talitha Kum was established as an International Network of Consecrated Life against Trafficking in Persons by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG.) A long journey of commitment alongside many exploited people. We talk about it with Sister Abby Avelino, the international coordinator of the Network. “We live in a world where […]
Kigelia Africana. A medicinal plant with a cosmetic potential
Kigelia africana (Lam), Benth (Bignoniaceae family), is a highly valuable medicinal plant that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The name ‘Africana’ reflects that the tree is African. Although there are several species of the genus ‘Kigelia’, Kigelia Africana is the major species that is found across a large part of Africa. The tree is commonly […]
Oral Literature. Why the cheetahs’ cheeks are spotted
Long ago a wicked and lazy hunter was sitting under a tree. He was thinking that it was too hot to be bothered with the arduous task of stalking prey through the bushes. Below him, in the clearing on the grassy veld, there were fat springbok grazing. But this hunter couldn’t be bothered, so lazy […]
African arms imports drop while European imports double
Over the last decade, imports of major arms by African states have fallen by half, mainly due to big decreases by Algeria and Morocco, while China has been taking a greater share of the continental market from Russia. This is according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which has just released new data […]
Mission Diary. Sr. Maria Reina: “There is always a reason”
After her first missionary experience in Peru, she was appointed to Tapachula, in Chiapas, in southern Mexico, to work with migrants who arrive mainly from Central America and Haiti. Sr. Maria Reina Ametepé, a Togolese Comboni Sister, talks to us about her missionary experience and the new challenges she must face. I am originally from […]
South Africa. A Century of Faith and Commitment
The Comboni Missionaries celebrate 100 years of their presence in the country. In 1924, the Comboni Missionaries arrived in South Africa, a vast land of diverse peoples. Only a few hundred were Catholic, and they were primarily European gold-diggers and adventurers. Charged with establishing the Catholic faith in the region then known as Eastern Transvaal, […]
Herbs & Plants. Centella asiatica
It is one of the most unique medicinal plants that has been in use since prehistoric times. It continues to draw worldwide attention for its roles in the treatment of mild and chronic diseases. It is a perennial, slender, creeping herb found mostly in damp areas up to an altitude of about 1800m. It has […]
