Martin’s Blog

Check out this fascinating program on the World Service about the Slow Food movement and how we need to learn from indigenous peoples.

“Sheila Dillon hears from some of the world’s disappearing food tribes and finds out why efforts are underway to preserve indigenous food cultures in north America, Scandinavia and in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.”

Thoughts on the journey – Read More

On a hillside, high above a ravine lived a small boy and his family. There home was a very ordinary wood shack surrounded on three sides by trees. Life seemed very boring to this young boy and he dreamed of excitement and adventure. Often he would sit on their wooden porch late in the evening and watch the valley below, change colours as the sun went down. On the other side of the valley was another building and on certain evenings there would be an amazing sight, a miracle would happen, the house would explode with amazing golden windows. He would sit and dream about who lived there, how special they must be to live in such an amazing place. Read More

There are many who believe that music can influence society. One such lady is Malian born Oumou Sangare sometimes referred to as “The Songbird of Wassoulou.” Her songs have spoken into woman’s rights, child marriage and polygamy. The track “Yala” is a song that hit the dance floors of Mali and criticises young people who roam late at night in search of pleasure – forgetting their traditional values.