Oral Literature. The mysteries of the forest
Many years ago, peace reigned in the forest under the rule of the leopard, the ruler of all animals. But one day news spread that a monster was lurking in a corner of the forest, terrorizing all who ventured that way. In fact, a menacing voice came out from among the plants, shouting at every […]
Ghana. Akwasidae, an Ashanti Festival of Rich Cultural Heritage
It is the most important event celebrated by the Chiefs and people of Ashanti in the central part of Ghana. We attend the celebration. It is a magnificent celebration centred on ancestral reverence, remembrance and acknowledgment of past kings and noble feats. It marks the sheer magnificence of the golden heritage of the Ashanti people. […]
Rwanda. Mending Broken Hearts
This April, Rwanda commemorates the 29th anniversary of the genocide. The bitter fruit of the ethnic division between Hutu, Tutsi and Twa has distant roots. Father Marcel Uwineza, a Rwandan Jesuit reflects on those tragic events and the progress made towards reconciliation and peace. The genocide (April-July 1994) was made possible following a process of […]
South Korea. A Change of Pace
An outgoing church that experiences the presence of the Holy Spirit. The synodal journey of the ecclesial community. The challenge of young people. The desire for reconciliation with North Korea. It is perhaps the metropolis of Asia on which the spotlight has focused most in recent years. From the rhythms of K-pop to the success […]
The Youth Corner: To live what we are
The price of happiness and of any authentic vocation is to believe in happiness based on what we truly are, on the faith that inhabits us and what we share with those who accompany us. Love is the source of our existence. We are created in it and we grow and exist in it. We […]
Oral Literature: The Hare and the Elephant
There was once a herd of elephants who went to gather honey to take to their in-laws. As they were walking along, they came upon Hare who was just about to cross the river. She said to one of them: “Father, please help me get across the river.” The elephant agreed to this request and […]
Uganda: Acholi Marriage – Not before Sunset
The Acholi people live in Northern Uganda. They have a rich and diverse cultural heritage. Most of it is expressed in a wide variety of rites, dance, and music. We look at Acholi traditional marriage. Marriage is still one of the biggest ceremonies among the Acholi. Preparing for a traditional marriage among the people of […]
Peru: The Asheninka Minga
The Asheninka, are an indigenous ethnic group that lives in the centre of the forest in the district of Ucayali in the province of Atalaya in the northern part of Peru. Minga: not only communal work but also small informal tasks for the family. The term minga comes from the Quechua culture mink’a meaning ‘asking […]
Mission Diary: DR Congo – An open and available community
Father Clement Kazaku Bosh Bebe tells us about his parish experience on the outskirts of the Congolese capital Kinshasa. After ten years in South Africa, I returned to the land of my ancestors – the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to continue being a missionary among my people. I thought everything would be easier and […]
Kenya: ‘Making Our Dreams Come True’
In northern Kenya, in the Samburu region, many young girls are married off to adult men at an early age against their will. A Centre run by nuns welcomes them to give them dignity and a possible future. Nothing made Lilian suspect that her childhood would abruptly end that day. Returning from school, she saw […]