Stories about Indigenous from October, 2008
Malaysia's Jungle Spirits
Lush with primary and secondary virgin jungle, Malaysians have long held a respect for the forests. It also helps that myths, whether bearing down from the forefathers or from urban legend, has caused a lot of superstition surrounding the vast jungle of Malaysia.
Haiti, D.R.: Rediscovering Atlantis?
The Haitian Blogger is a tad sceptical about the scientific theory that Haiti might be “the site of the ‘lost Civilization’ of Atlantis.”
Bolivia: Introduction to the Language of Guaraní
Camiri Digital [es] introduces readers to some basic words in the indigenous language of Guaraní, which is spoken by many in the Chaco region of Bolivia.
Brazil: Grandma Aggie, Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers and the Pope
Lou Gold, a North-American blogger and nature-person turned “brasileiro’, blogs about [En] Grandma Aggie and the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, re-telling some of the adventures of these courageous indigenous ladies and their recent efforts to get the Pope to rescind the Papal Bulls that created the “right” to...
Guyana: Social Services
“Increasing access to social services is among the priorities identified by indigenous women leaders in the region as key to empowerment”: The Voice of the Taino People Online reports on the Conference on Indigenous Women in the Caribbean, being held in Guyana.
Iraq: Assassination for All Iraqi Interpreters!!!
This is the view that Iraqi Interpreter took of a decision made by the commander of the Multinational Forces in Iraq. Under a new rule, Iraqis who work alongside American soldiers as interpreters are to be required to not cover their face while they take part in operations with the US military.
Brazilian myths and haunts on the Lusosphere – Part 2
On the first article of this series, we searched Brazilian websites that could tell us some stories about the haunts and the mythical beings of Brazilian folklore. Now, in the second article, we will sit and listen to the tales of myth, legend and fear told by Brazilian bloggers; tales about Cabeça de Cuia and Caboclo D'Água, and about the beautiful and sad tale of the Vitória Régia, and give more details about the mysterious Loira do Banheiro and her terrible death.
Colombia: Indigenous Protests and Murders Under Media Blackout
Indigenous groups in the Cauca region of Colombia have been marching and protesting their way to Cali, one of the countries larger cities. Accusations of government fire weapon usage against protesters have bloggers expectant of the outcome.
Bolivia: Pro-Government March Arrives to La Paz
Tens of thousands of peasants, miners, coca-growers, and other supporters of the government of Evo Morales arrived in La Paz on Monday. What had originally started as a march to apply pressure to the Bolivian Congress to pass a law calling for a Referendum to approve the draft Constitution ended as a celebration when the lawmakers reached a compromise, and seemingly pacified the country after several volatile months.
Pakistan: Tribal leaders targeted by militants
Chowrangi reports that tribal leaders are being targeted by militants in Pakistan: “They are aiming at the very infrastructure of the tribes…They kill tribal leaders and elders who are local agents of the government or related to the political agents in the agencies.”
Canada: Indigenous Femicide on the Spotlight
Canadian documentary which is bringing to public attention the disappearances and murders of more than 500 aboriginal women in Canada in the past 30 years. The film is called Finding Dawn, by Christine Welsh. The movie is named after Dawn Crey, who was the 23rd victim whose DNA was recognized in the largest serial murder investigation in Canada back in 2002-2004.
Traditional Lao wedding
Laos Essential Artistry blogs about the traditional Lao wedding rituals and gowns.
Brazilian myths and haunts on the Lusosphere – Part 1
The first of three articles that will take us around the virtual campfire to hear stories about ghosts and enchantment from Brazilian folklore: Cuca, Negrinho do Pastoreio, Boitatá and Curupira, are just some of the beings that inhabit the nights, dreams, and nightmares of Brazil. We also find a group of artists who are telling anew a long told Brazilian popular story.
Grenada: Artefact
“It is not unusual, during the course of a morning, as we weed or mole or fork the land, for us to unearth some pottery shard or rusted garden implement from long ago”: Grenada's Free Spirit finds an unexpected treasure from the 1800s.
Bangladesh: Tea plantation workers
Raisa Rasheeka has been studying the lives of the tea plantation workers in Bangladesh for a while and shares the findings in her blog.
Israel: Yom Kippur Reminder
From Israel, YMedad posts a Yom Kippur reminder in this video post.
Laos: Rituals of moving into a new house
Nye Noona blogs about the rituals practiced in Laos and Thailand when moving into a new house.
Brazil: Do deforestation and elections mix?
What is the link between recent deforestation rate increases in the Amazon and the upcoming Brazilian municipal elections in October 5?