Afro-Brazilian History, Beats and Culture

For most people the idea of Black History month is relegated to the African-American experience in the United States. While Africa and America are often recognized as the book ends of the African Diaspora, there is an additional link in the Middle Passage that is less publicized, but no less important. The central link in the Middle Passage is Brazil. Today Brazil has the largest population of Black origin outside of Africa, estimated at 90 million people. Read More

The Sacred Spirits of African Slaves: Kochi’s Unique History

A dark past, unkown to most, haunts many parts of Kochi. Centuries after African slaves were brought to these shores by the Portuguese, many stories and beliefs have evolved about them. Several parts of Kochi are dotted with remnants of slavery. Although it is unclear how these slaves came to be called kappiri, it is believed that the word might have its roots in the term “kaffir”.
Read More

The Arab slave trade: 200 million non-Muslim slaves from all colors and nationalities

About ten years ago while traveling in Asia I found a very unusual book which I have unfortunately not been able to find in the West. I was casually reading it in the bookstore and regret that I never purchased it due to space and weight restrictions I already had in my luggage. It was a 900-year old Muslim ‘slave manual’ translated into English from the original Arabic. It was basically a very detailed purchasing manual, describing the cultural and ethnic traits of slaves from different parts of the world in non-Islamic countries.

Read More

South Africa Parliament approves Land Exprorpiration bill

What does the Fourth Industrial Revolution mean to you? Do you fear robots or self-driving cars taking your job, or do you embrace the blockchain, 3D-Printing or any other fast-developing technology as an opportunity to create a business, leapfrog the competition or build a fairer, more equal society?

Read More