Stories about Indigenous from February, 2008
Jamaica: This and That
Jamaica and the World puts in her two cents’ worth on everything from a Minister being charged with fraud to the island's roller-coaster crime rate.
Taiwan: No City for Old Aborigines
The first Presidential debate powered by citizen media platform Peopo was held on Feb 24. Two candidates running for President answers 20 questions raised by citizens who use Youtube-like video clips to express their wishes and problems.
Kuwait: A Dusty but Profitable Week
Dust storms are wreaking havoc in Kuwait. But amid the dust, there is a silver lining, with a Cabinet decision to grant an extra KD120 (US $435) monthly bonus for Kuwaitis employed in the public and private sectors. Abdullatif AlOmar has more.
Jamaica, Haiti: Haitian Creole
“I learned many things from Felix Morisseau-Leroy and one of the most important was his commitment to the Haitian Creole language”: Geoffrey Philp posts one of the writer's poems.
Trinidad & Tobago: Cultural Preservation
“Even as we fret about the loss of our historic architecture, we are losing the architects of our history”: Blogging from Trinidad & Tobago, The Liming House writes about the...
Japan: Reactions to alleged Okinawa rape
The news last week that a U.S. Marine had allegedly raped a 14-year-old schoolgirl in Okinawa sparked various degrees of condemnation from local citizens, politicians, the government and bloggers, reigniting anger at the continued presence of American military bases in Japan's southernmost prefecture. In blogs and internet forums, however, many Japanese also criticized the alleged victim herself for being careless and "allowing" the rape to happen.
Trinidad & Tobago: Saving “Gingerbread House”
“There are so many things to be anxious or angry about in this country these days–crime, corruption, smelters, steel mills, dolphin-slaughter, traffic–that the fate of an old house may seem...
Trinidad & Tobago: Canboulay
Caribbean Beat Blog gives an account of Canboulay – “one of the foundational elements of Trinidad's modern carnival” – and is amazed to discover that “over 100 years later, with...
Ecuador: Indigenous Justice in the New Constitution
La Voz de Guamote [es] comments that “Indigenous Justice” will be included in the new Ecuadorian Constitution according to one of the delegates. and that this form of justice goes...
Guyana: Carifesta Comes Home
The Voice of the Taino People Online reports that this year's Carifesta celebration – “the region’s roving, multidisciplinary, mega arts festival will return to its birthplace – Guyana.”
Trinidad & Tobago: That Was Carnival
A “green” J'Ouvert was the extent of Nicholas Laughlin‘s Trinidad Carnival.
Guatemala: Reducing Poverty in Indigenous Communities
Indigenous groups from various municipalities in Guatemala criticize the lack of progress in reducing poverty, which is especially prevalent in these communities, writes Democracia Multicultural [es].
Trinidad & Tobago: Making ‘Mas
Mark Lyndersay posts a series of photos depicting the process of making costumes for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Spreading the word about indigenous rights in Republic of Congo
indigenouspeoplecongobrazza writes about efforts to educate [Fr] Congolese about the new UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights.
El Salvador: Funes Seeking Support of Indigenous Communities
The presidential candidate for the FMLN, Mauricio Funes, is seeking the support of the indigenous communities in El Salvador. Mundo Farabundista [es] writes that Funes recently visited the town of...
Bolivia: The Festival of Alasitas
The festival of Alasitas features a diminuative and jolly character called Ekeko, who is said to bring abundance and prosperity. This event is based in the city of La Paz, but it's popularity has spread to other cities like El Alto. There, some new bloggers write about this custom, and how important it is to maintain these traditions from generation to generation.
Paraguay: Herb Market
Muna Annahas writes aboutthe traditional herb market in Asunción, Paraguay and the different uses of each.
Morocco: Couscous of the Dead
Margot the Marrakesh Mystic has a two-part piece on Couscous of the Dead.
