Central America: The Garinagu, The art of drum-making.
The Garifuna people, located in Central America, are famous for their use of drums and music, that is especially of great importance in religious ceremonies. Stop at any Garifuna festival, sporting event, festival, church ceremony, nine-night (Beluria) or just a regular social gathering and you will be sure to hear the vibrating sound of the […]
Peru: It is impossible to remain silent.
On both sides of the border between Ecuador and Peru, there are oil and gas operations. The consequences are disastrous for the environment and for the indigenous peoples who live there. Two Augustinian missionaries living in Iquitos (Peru) talked about the challenges for the church and for the indigenous people. Governments traditionally have partnered with […]
India: Celebrating Hues Of Divinity
During the Hemis Festival, the Monastery comes alive with dances and colourful celebrations. The religious mask dance remains the centre of attraction. This year Hemis festival is going to be celebrated from 23rd June to 24th June. Synonymous with peace, tranquillity and meditation, Ladakh is known as the “land of high passes”. A region in […]
Colombia: “We Are The Guardians Of Our Land”
In the centre of the Colombian Amazonia, we find the Vicariate of Puerto Leguízamo-Solano, created in 2013. A Christian community that wants to take care of the environment and its people. We discuss the peace accord, the cocoa growers and the indigenous people with the Bishop of the Vicariate, Mons. Joaquín Humberto Pinzón Güiza. How […]
Herbs & People: Aspilia Africana – The Unique Anti-Haemorrhage Plant
The plant is commonly found distributed in the Sub-Saharan Africa. It is widely gathered from the wild and used locally in traditional medicine. Aspilia Africana C.D. Adams (Family Asteraceae) enjoys a folk reputation in African traditional medicine due to its unique ability to treat numerous disease conditions. The plant is commonly referred to as the […]
Africa: Puppet Theatre
The roots of puppet shows in Africa are as old as the myths and legends. Today, they are used very much in education but also as a way to condemn political power and corruption. According to a myth of the Ibibio people of south-east Nigeria, the puppet theatre was born in the land of the […]
South Sudan: Reconciliation Paths
In a country ravaged by war, forgiveness is the contribution Christians can offer to a society divided along ethnic lines and rivalries. A missionary in South Sudan shares a couple of stories on how his teaching brought about pardon, mutual acceptance and peace. In the eastern region of South Sudan, there are people who live […]
Mexico: “I Could Be Killed Anytime”
Commitment to work side by side with migrants. A Church up and running. The testimony of Fr. Tomás Gonzalez. “I have received many threats. I know I could be killed but I am not afraid. I have dedicated my entire life to the defence of the weakest. I always ask myself what Jesus would do […]
Africa: Amulets For Luck And Protection
Amulets are an important part of an African’s life, from birth to death. They are obligatorily worn in some stages of life and are considered sacred objects in African culture. Rebel groups have used amulets to make child soldiers believe they were invulnerable. Traditional medicine has always been an integral part of African culture. It […]
Missionary Botanist: Camellia Tea
Pharmacist, botanist and missionary, the Moravian Jesuit Brother Josef Kamel (1661-1706) left the Hapsburg Empire to go to the Philippines where he continued his work and research. He was so successful that Carlo Linneo, the famous Swedish doctor and naturalist, named the genus Camellia after him. Tea is one of the simplest and most natural […]