· November, 2008

Stories about Indigenous from November, 2008

Puerto Rico: Status Quo?

  28 November 2008

“Our struggle for self-determination, to be free from outside impositions, is ideological and it is not what's best for the majority of the people who live here”: Gil the Jenius answers some tough questions about Puerto Rico's status.

Ecuador: Christmastime for the Saraguro

  27 November 2008

Angel Gualan provides descriptions on how the indigenous group of the Saraguros celebrate Christmas in the Loja region of Ecuador [es]. Much of it sits on the shoulders of the “Marcantaitas” who are the “owners” of the feast and makes sure everything turns out fine.

Jamaica: The Real Story

  25 November 2008

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp weighs in on the discussion about literary authenticity and the Caribbean writer: “Storytellers come and go, but the story of the Caribbean continues to evolve–waiting for storytellers to respond to the relationship between a people and a place through time.”

Malaysia: The Plight of Penan

  25 November 2008

The Penan tribe, indigenous people of East Malaysia, have taken quite some press and blog space this year. Bloggers react to stories of abuses committed against the Penan Tribe.

Bangladesh: Manipuri Raash Festival

  24 November 2008

Back to Bangladesh posts some great pictures of the colorful Raash festival of the Manipuri indigenous people of Sylhet in Bangladesh. The festival is meant to celebrate the love of Radha and Krishna.

Japan: Proud to be Okinawan

  23 November 2008

Superyuko at Nachikasanu Koiuta describes the first time she became aware of her Okinawan identity. 10 years ago, in Tokyo, where she came to live and to attend university, she was asked: “Are you Japanese? Because you don't look very Japanese”, and innocently answered: “I think I am Japanese”. She...

Bolivia: Recent Lynchings Cause Concerns

  21 November 2008

A string of lynchings around Bolivia has caused concern around the country. The latest case in Achacachi involved 11 accused thieves, who were set ablaze by town residents. Defenders of the indigenous tradition of "community justice" argue that what took place in Achacachi was very different and it should not involve taking another's life, although others see any acts of taking justice into one's own hands can lead to these types of tragedies.

Bahamas: Call of the Parrots

  14 November 2008

Womanish Words hears “a wonderful sound…the raucous cries of wild Bahama Parrots in (her) Avocado tree. Real, honest-to-the-Goddess, wild parrots, the ones that are highly endangered…but by some miracle there is now at least one flock of these beautiful, rare birds alive and well on New Providence.”

Bolivia: An Indigenous as Minister of Education?

  10 November 2008

Mario Durán of Palabras Libres [es] wonders why the Bolivian government did not name an indigenous to the office of Minister of Education, while a commenter notes that the new Minister Roberto Aguilar may consider himself to be a member of one of the 36 ethnicities.

Dominica: Creole Dress

  3 November 2008

“The Wob Dwiyet is the centerpiece of Dominica’s National Wear and is worn in a variety of different styles”: Dominica Weekly posts some photos of the island's Creole Dress Parade.

Guatemala: The Fiambre and Other Foods for Day of the Dead

  3 November 2008

What began as an improvised dish called Fiambre made of leftovers and made by nuns in Antigua, Guatemala, has become a tradition during the Day of the Dead holidays. The dish includes up to 150 ingredients including slices of cold cut meats, cheeses, potatoes, and vegetables. The Fiambre and other foods play a large part in the celebration in Guatemalan households.

Lebanon: The Bedouins

  2 November 2008

“In the past, they see their glorious history, as it was them who made the Great Arab Revolt and fought the colonialist over centuries, and provided the revolutionaries with weapons wherever they were present. In the present, they only see marginalization and dependency,” notes Prof Rami Zurayk about the Bedouins...

Southeast Asia: The Power of the Pontianak

  1 November 2008

One of the most enduring legends of South East Asia is the Pontianak, said to be a bone-white lady, with ruby-red eyes, who is borne from her death in birth-giving. The Pontianak, or sometimes called the "Kuntilanak", lives in almost all of South East Asia, except the Indochina region.

Brazilian myths and haunts in the Lusosphere – Part 3

  1 November 2008

To bring this series about Brazilian myths, legends and haunts as seen on the Lusosphere to a great close, we couldn't choose a better entity to speak about than Saci Pererê. After being introduced to mythic beings like Cuca, Boitatá and Curupira in the first article, and reading the intriguing narratives about Cabeça de Cuia and Caboclo D'Água, among others, in the second article of the series, now it's time to delve into the mysteries of the most famous being from Brazilian mythology.