In this one year that I’ve been working and traveling throughout Eastern Africa (Northern Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya) I’ve developed an even stronger passion for indigenous peoples around the world, and for focusing on projects that encourage biocultural diversity in the work that Ensigo does. I intend to write a blog post soon on the subject of biocultural diversity and it’s extreme importance in sustaining the world…but in a nutshell biocultural diversity is “the rich but neglected adaptive interweave of humankind and nature, cultural pluralism and ecological integrity.”

Recently I was reading through the poetry of the Saami author Paulus Utsi (The Saami people are the arctic indigenous people inhabiting Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Kola Peninsula of Russia, and the border area between south and middle Sweden and Norway). I was inspired when I cam across a brilliant poem of his entitled “As long as…” which echoes the lament of many indigenous peoples about the ravages caused by industrial development upon nature and traditional cultural values. He describes a longing to maintain traditional lifestyles close to nature and the ensuing loss of meaning when engulfed by modern economic development. Captured in the poem are underlying cultural values and definitions of what constitutes indigenous peoples’ wellbeing and sustainable development and, in its absence, indigenous peoples’ despair. Please check it out below and feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts.

As long as we have waters where the fish can swim
As long as we have land where the reindeer can graze
As long as we have woods where wild animals can hide
we are safe on this earth

When our homes are gone and our land destroyed
– then where are we to be?

Our own land, our lives’ bread, has shrunk
the mountain lakes have risen
rivers have become dry
the streams sing in sorrowful voices
the land grows dark, the grass is dying
the birds grow silent and leave

The good gifts we have received
no longer move our hearts
Things meant to make life easier
have made life less

Painful is the walk
on rough roads of stone
Silent cry the people of the mountains

While time rushes on
our blood becomes thin
our language no longer resounds
the water no longer speaks

-Paulus Utsi

Paulus Utsi was born in 1918 and died in 1975. His poem “As long as…” is translated by Roland Thorstensson and reprinted in In
the Shadow of the Midnight Sun: Contemporary Sami Prose and Poetry (1998), Harald Gaski (ed.).

In light of the successful hosting of the world cup I have been reflecting on South Africa, and what incredible strides they have made as a nation since apartheid. One particularly strong voice for the defense of human rights is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu. This Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town has played a significant role in the ending of apartheid through his rigorous advocacy of non-violence and push for reconciliation between all parties involved.

A few months ago I purchased “An African Prayer Book” which is a collection–compiled by Desmond Tutu–of the spiritual riches of the vast and varied continent of Africa. I was moved by a simple piece that breathes new life into an ancient canticle through an African context. Tutu attributes this to a “Traditional African” source:

AN AFRICAN CANTICLE

All you big things, bless the Lord.

Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria,

The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain,

Fat baobabs and shady mango trees,

All eucalyptus and tamarind trees,

Bless the Lord.

Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

All you tiny things, bless the Lord.

Busy black ants and hopping fleas,

Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae,

Flying locusts and water drops,

Pollen dust and tsetse flies,

Millet seeds and dried dagaa,

Bless the Lord.

Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

(Washing Disciples Feet)

As the temperature is heating up and I feel myself wanting to spend every moment of the day outside I’m reminded of my time in the balmy, beautiful, brilliant, beach-like, (ok no more “b” words….Bo-Jackson…sorry I couldn’t resist) country of Belize. Over the course of my time in Belize during 2007-2008 I met so many amazing people. One particular woman, that I think is one of the coolest people in the whole world, is named Myrna Manzanares. Miss Myrna is an energetic 64 year old with a penchant for always making you smile. Besides being the president of the National Kriol Council of Belize, a talented actress, lecturer at the Belize Teachers College and the University of Belize, and a counselor for at-risk youth, she also devotes any leftover time to writing. She has published several books of poetry, and fiction. However most recently she published a book titled “Traditional Games of Belize.” In this book “Myrna has filtered out in the selected games, through her own research, a treasure trove of precious and relevant nuggets in a friendly and playful way. They entertain the reader while simultaneously parents, teachers, youth workers, social and community activists with elements of cognitive and social-psychology and storytelling.”

You can find a FREE online copy of this fun book right here: Traditional Games of Belize. Now please gather a group of friends and enjoy these wonderful Belizean games together.

P.S. I recommend Lime and Spoon

During my first trip to Uganda in 2006 I was invited to author/professor Timothy Wangusa’s launch of his latest book Africa’s New Brood. Over the course of the presentation Professor Wangusa read selections of his favorite poems from the book, which combines African folklore and proverbs with Christian symbolism.  Its main theme is that of growing up in the Ugandan society and what challenges come with growing up in the traditional setting.  I was incredibly moved by the simplicity yet deep profoundness of Professor Wangusa’s shortest poem titled Trinity Tree. Before reading it he unveiled a little history behind the poem stating that it had taken him 20 years to write it, and that this poem best embodies his goal which is “to leave behind a body of inventive writing which communicates to my readers a sense of Christian values fictionalized and poeticized”:

Trinity Tree

By Timothy Wangusa

The Father in the root;
The Son in the shoot;
The Spirit in the fruit.