The Ndara Blog
Mystery and marvel: Tere and the leopard
This week we are sharing a Central African tale about beauty. To fully understand this tale and the way it was written we recommend you read our introduction to our folklore series.
_________________________________________________________________________
Tere went to talk with the parents of a woman he wanted to take as a wife. The woman’s name was Yinda. When Tere came to Yinda’s house, her parents showed him everything he would need to bring if he wanted to buy their child. In that day there was no money. Men used ankle bracelets of iron, hoes, arrows, and other...
Mystery and marvel
The mystery and marvel of two different cultures meeting is something that deeply fascinates and inspires us.
Some come from a world of industry, books, experimentation and material proofs. Some walk sidewalks and stairs, speed through space in cars, elevators and airplanes. Some think with computers, charts and calculators rooted in math and electronics.
Others live close to the land: house, garden, family, tribe, food, birth and death. They walk dirt paths fully grounded with the world around them. They move quickly, quietly and stealthily through grasses, bushes and dusty villages. Many have traveled no farther...
A taste of Ndara, and a piece of advice on chili
Food is an essential part of culture, and that is no different for us here in the Central African Republic. There are many delicious meals and recipes, and we have some really talented cooks on the Ndara team!
Those who read our blog about the many languages we have in the Central African Republic might not be surprised to learn that each ethnical group (yes, all 77 of them!) also have at least one traditional dish that originates from their geographical region in the country.
Availability and access to produce...
How do you eat an elephant?
You have probably noticed that sayings such as “vote with your money” and “energy goes where attention flows” are more and more common. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of where products come from, who made them and what impact their purchases are having. As a small artisan business we could not be more thankful for this trend.
Where and how you spend your money matters not only to your wallet, but also to our artisans. For them, it can literally be a question of food on the table, healthcare for a sick loved one, or schooling for...
What you said (and a secret)...
If you have been following us, you know that we started Ndara to share another story from the Central African Republic. We wanted to shine a spotlight on the joy, resilience and beauty that comes out of this country in the heart of Africa. We wanted a double-impact: change the lives of our artisans and their communities and inspire change in the lives of Ndara’s supporters. One part of doing this is opening up our web shop, in the end of this blog you will find out how you can get exclusive access to our...