Stories about History from November, 2010
Cuba: Before & After
Translating Cuba blogs about the two most over-used words in the country, adding: “There is a third reality that belies the stubborn reality: both Before and After contain everything.”
Brazil: Eradicating the Indigenous Guarani Kaiowa
Guarani still represent one of the most numerous indigenous people in Brazil, though they are profoundly affected by the loss of almost all their land in the last century. In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Guarani Kaiowa, one of three groups descended from the original, are the target of constant attacks and victims of an alarming rash of suicides.
East Timor: A Foreigner's Impressions on the celebration of Massacre anniversary
Rory Hoipkemier, from blog At His behest in Timor Leste, writes about the “First Introductions” that most impressed and inspired her in the first days as a volunteer in Dili. She describes the “solemn and collective” 19th anniversary celebration of the Santa Cruz Massacre that took place on November 12.
Macedonia: Angelina Jolie and Lustration
Razvigor :-) writes mockingly about the connection between the screening of “Salt” and the issue of lustration in Macedonia.
Egypt: Vodafone Egypt Advertisement Stirs Controversy
A new advertisement for Vodafone Egypt featuring ninth century Muslim scientist Abbas Ibn Firnas as a mad man who would not surf the internet to see how his attempt to fly would fail has stirred controversy on the Egyptian blogosphere. Eman AbdElRahman and Tarek Amr bring us those reactions.
Russia: Khodorkovsky's Final Statement; Kuril Islands Dispute
The Moscow Diaries, Robert Amsterdam, and Siberian Light reprint Mikhail Khodorkovsky's closing statement delivered in a Moscow courtroom on Nov. 2. Vadim Nikitin and Anatoly Karlin discuss the Khodorkovsky case and the Kuril Islands dispute – here, here, and here.
Thailand's forest monks
Paul Garrigan blogs about the forest monks of Thailand. These Buddhist monks left the temples to wander in the forests and live like ascetics.
Haiti: Abuse of Power?
HaitiAnalysis.com republishes an article from a grassroots community development organization which wonders whether stabilization is actually a euphemism for subordination.
Panama: November, A Month of National Celebration
November is a month of national celebration for Panamanians, and the blogosphere provides another platform to celebrate. A trip around the web shows that in these days, with diversity of styles and concerns, Panamanians not only think about their history, but also about the present, the nation as a project and how to build a better country.
Honduras: Indigenous Heroes
Nacer en Honduras [es] lists 6 indigenous heroes from Honduras, giving a brief biography of each one.
China: Red Guards Apologize Forty-four Years Later
ESWN translates a public apology from former Red Guard students to their teachers. Although the Chinese government has admitted that the Cultural Revolution being a disaster, public apology is still rare.
East Timor: Ramelau Cultural Festival
Ramelau Cultural Festival, the first cultural festival in East Timor, was organized to celebrate Timorese culture and unity.
Zambia: A Culture Denied
What is wrong with Zambian culture?: “It used to be that Zambians prided themselves on their very identity. Those things that made us uniquely a part of the Southern hemisphere of Africa. We tied ourselves into the historical travels of the Bantu and the Mfecane migration of those bolting from...
Ecuador: Keeping Traditions Alive on Day of the Dead
Ecuadorians recently finished celebrating the Day of the Dead with liters of colada morada and many, many guaguas de pan, the traditional drink and food for the holiday. The special drink and bread are prepared and consumed on November 2nd, celebrating an ancestral tradition. The tradition was also celebrated through the blogosphere, where a campaign has appeared to keep Halloween from the traditional celebration.
Turkey, Poland: Polonezköy
Raf Uzar writes about the history of Polonezköy, Istanbul's “‘Polish-themed’ village.”
Russia: Teaching About the 1930s Famine in Kazan
Teaching about the famine of the 1930s in Kazan, Tatarstan – at OpenDemocracy.net.
Russia: Saving Samara's Buildings
At OpenDemocracy.net, Clementine Cecil writes about the campaign to save Samara’s buildings from “corrupt developers.”
Russia: Attacks on Women Not Wearing Headscarves in Chechnya
Tanya Lokshina's article about attacks on women who aren't wearing headscarves in Chechnya – at OpenDemocracy.net.
U.S.: Security in the Baltic Region
Belatedly, a link to the discussion of Barack Obama's contribution to security in the Baltic region – at Itching for Eestimaa.
Tanzania: Tanzania thrives on Nyerere's legacy
Tanzania thrives on Mwalimu Nyerere's legacy: “On Sunday, 31st October 2010 Tanzania voted for president and legislative members. The East African country’s elections have passed relatively unnoticed, this is untypical of many African elections.”
Paraguay: Reactions to Alfredo Stroessner's Birthday
E'a collected [es] reactions to Alfredo Stroessner's birthday: “for some it is a happy time […] but for others November 3 represents a grim reminder of our history.” Wikipedia explains that Stroessner was “a Paraguayan military officer and dictator from 1954 to 1989. His lengthy rule was the 12th-longest ever...
