Nicaragua: Journey into Myths and Legends in the Land of Volcanoes.
Every town and city has its own tales, myths, and legends that make up part of the culture of Nicaraguans. León is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spanish as Santiago de los Caballeros de León. The city is located along the Río Chiquito (Chiquito River), 90 kilometres […]
India: the Other Side of Tea Plantations
Black Assam tea is famous worldwide but the plantations of the north-east do not deal only in tea. Human traffickers take advantage of the poverty of many families here to traffick children. A sea of green, luxuriant bushes borders the road through the tea plantation. Outside some small mud houses two teenage girls are laughing […]
Papua New Guinea: the Asmat, Sculpture as Sacred Art
The Asmat people are a tribe in Papua New Guinea. They draw inspiration for their sculpture, which is the art they are best known for, from their mythology. It is part of their nature and is a sacred tradition. The Asmat people of Papua New Guinea in Oceania claim to be descendants of a god […]
Oral Literature: the Hare and the Hyena
One day, a long time ago when there was a famine, Hare met Hyena. “How thin you are looking – said Hare. “You look as though you would not say ‘No’ to a good meal either,” replied Hyena. The two animals continued along the road together until they came to a farmer, who was grumbling […]
Mexico: the Circus as a Life Project
In the Nahuatl language, spoken in the central region of Mexico, Machincuepa means somersaults or ‘pirouette’. For hundreds of adolescents and young people in the outskirts of Mexico City, Machincuepa also means relaxation and recreation, but, at the same time, a school of life in circus artistry that transforms their lives. A majestic tent for […]
Christmas: ‘Nattal’ in Sri Lanka
In spite of being a predominantly Buddhist country, the people of Sri Lanka celebrate Christmas (Nattal) in their own unique way, using native products. For Sri Lankans, Christmas is a time for celebration thriving in an atmosphere of unity regardless of religious beliefs and culture. Long before the legendary seafarer ‘Sinbad’ chanced to harbour in […]
Oral Literature: Why the Hippopotamus lives in the Water
Many years ago the hippopotamus, whose name was Isantim, was one of the biggest kings on the land; he was second only to the elephant. The hippo had seven large fat wives, of whom he was very fond. Now and then he used to give a big feast to the people, but a curious thing […]
Uganda: A Circus, the Art of Redemption
The slums of Katwe have seen the birth of a new circus where the jugglers, acrobats, fire-eaters and dancers are the youngsters themselves of the shantytown. They have become so skilled that they have been asked to perform even outside the continent of Africa. For many of them it has become a profession. The youngest […]
DR. Congo: “I am a missionary doctor, in love with God”
She lives and works in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has dedicated all her life to her mission to welcome and care for the worst cases, those who need her as an experienced surgeon and as one who has unfailing faith in divine providence. “In the Congo, it is the missionaries who are really […]
Burkina Faso: Father Jacques – Biologist and Geneticist
A Camillian and also professor at the University of Ouagadougou, Father Jacques Simporè assists the sick and most neglected. He has always worked with tenacity against the spread of HIV decimating the country. Fr. Jacques Simporè’s dream was to place himself at the service of science and the poor: besides the motivation he received from […]