Category: Culture

  • Wayraman – Manatial

    Wayraman by Manatial

    Beautiful panpipes and flute telling a story of love. Sweet!

    Manatial, The Mystic Sound from the Andes, Song: Wayraman, Album: The Secret of the Dancing Spirits DVD, Video produced by: AylluRecords. Recorded in Salasaca, Ecuador. Official website: manantial-productions.com.

    Manantial are Indigenous musicians from the Kichwa-Salasaka community in  Ecuador. They present a magical connection between ancient and present cultures through song and dance. Members include Alberto Jerez, Kjulliar Jerez and Carlos Jerez  from Salasaka-Ecuador.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • Return of the Ancestors, Wisdom Gathering

    Return of the Ancestors, Wisdom Gathering, Sedona, AZ April 18th – 28, 2009

    An important gathering is about to occur. I thought you might find it of interest. ‘Return of the Ancestors’ is happening April in Northern Arizona. Here is  information about the gathering:

    500 years ago the Mayan Ancestors wrote out on stone prophesies for the upcoming years creating the Mayan Calendar.  With only four years left of the Mayan Calendar, many people fear the end of the world, but it is not predicting the end of the world in 2012, but the start of a new era.  To usher in this new era The Institute for Cultural Awareness is holding a sacred pilgrimage in Northern Arizona beginning Earth Day Weekend, April 18th – 28, 2009. 

    Indigenous Elders and Future Wisdom Keepers are coming from every corner of the world to share their wisdom and prophesies.  Will help us heal and follow in their ancestors footsteps as prophesied, creating new guide stone tablets of prophesy for the upcoming 500 years…the world has awaited a renewed life’s plan.

    This gathering is fulfilling a great Mayan prophecy, When the Eagle once again flies with the Condor, a lasting peace will reign in the Americas and will spread throughout the world to unite humanity. 

    To find out more visit ICA website. A Ho!

    ~Bonnee

  • Tibetan Plateau – Vitas

    ‘Tibetan Plateau’ sung by Vitas

    Spectacular! Glorious journey through the mountains and minds of Tibet. Beautifully sung by Vitas.

    Vitas, Song: Tibetan Plateau (2008 Just released.), Video created by: Dieforsing (China), Song written by: Qianyi Zhang. Official website: www.vitas.com.ruTibetan Plateau is a folk song made popular by Li Na (李娜).

    Vitas (Vitaliy Vladasovich Grachyov) born February 19, 1981 in Daugavpils, Latvia is a Russian singer, composer, actor and fashion designer. Vitas, or Витас in Russian is how he is most well known. He was the only foreign artist to sing at the Olympic starting concert July 2008.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/29 Allah Knows, Zain Bhikha

    ‘Allah Knows’ by Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby

    Beautiful, sweet and heartfelt. Brought tears, I feel a reaching out and God moving through words, voices, music and harmony… wow! Lovely!

    Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby, Song: Allah Knows, Album: Allah Knows (2006), Label: Jamal Records, Video: Jamal Records.

    Today is Al-Hijra, Islamic New Year the first day of Muharram.

     

    What is… is not?

    Imagine, create, stretch… become! What is… is not?

    The eye fooled, the mind awed. Sweet believing. Breathless becoming. Why not?

    Let’s fly…

    ~ inspired by this beautiful image.

    The Moon and Star on Earth photoshop image creator unknown

    The image above is a digital compilation of an existing volcanic crescent moon islet called Molokini off the coast of Maui, HI and a star island which was created.  The moon alone is amazing, the star adds another dimension which stretches beyond. Awesome… I love it. It is not known who created this image you can find out more about it at Neddy’s Palaver.

    May your Holidays be filled with Awe and Wonder!

     

    Zain BhikhaZain Bhikha born August 9, 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa is a singer/songwriter. At a young age he often would entertain his family and friends with songs. In 1994 he won a singing competition sponsored by the local station Radio 702. He recorded his first album called ‘A Way of Life’ in 1994. You can find out more, read news, watch videos and listen to and buy music at Zain’s official website zainbhikha.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

  • 12/26 Yamoré, Happy Kwanzaa

    ‘Yamoré’ – Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, music video

    Powerful, moving, sultry and poignant. Song about love and life by two African greats… wow… I love it. Magic!

    Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, Song: Yamoré, Album: Moffou (2002), Recorded at Les Studios De La Seine, Paris, France between July 15 & December 14, 2001. Label: Decca. ‘Moffou’ was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album.

     Kwanzaa Glow ©Kit Tossmann Louisville, KY

    Kwanzaa, founded in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga is held December 26th thru January 1st.  It is an African American celebration of family, community, commerce, responsibility,  and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is not religious or political, nor a replacement for Christmas; rather it honors roots and culture. It is celebrated by more then 18 million people worldwide.

    The word Kwanzaa means, ‘first fruits of the harvest’ in Kiswahili (an African language). The celebration is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles) which are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).  On December 31st the community cooporative Kwanzaa Karamu or Feast is held. To learn more visit tike.com     

    ‘The Black Candle’ is a movie about Kwanzaa. In the movie it says,

    Kwanzaa means access to your soul, to your people.

    The beautiful, striking image above right of the Kwanzaa candles is a quilt by Kit Tossmann of Louisville, KY. It is featured in the 2007 Sacred Threads Gallery.

    Happy Kwanzaa! Have a wonderful celebration.

     

    Salif Keita Salif Keita born August 25, 1949 in Djoliba, Mali, Africa is a singer and songwriter. He is considered the Golden voice of Africa. He began his career in 1967 in the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. Then joined the group, Les Ambassadeurs in 1973 and fled Mali in the mid 70s because of political unrest. The name was changed to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales and they gained international acclaim. In 1977 Keita received a National Order award. He moved to Paris for a while then back to Mali in 2000 where he was inspired to create Moffou. You can learn more about Salif Keita at his official site at universalmusic.fr.

    Cesária Évora Cesária Évora born August 27, 1941 in Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde is a singer. Her nickname is the ‘barefoot diva’ because she prefers performing without shoes. She is known internationally for morna (music and dance from Cape Verde) songs of sadness, sorrow and yearning. She met Eduardo (a sailor) at 16, who taught her the traditional Cape Verdean music coladeiras and mornas.  She recorded her first album in Paris called La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva) (1988). ‘Sodade‘ was her first international hit single. At age 47 she became an international star with the release of her album Perfumado. You can read more about her at cesaria-evora.com.

    ~Bonnee Klein Gilligan