Latest news with #traditional
CBC
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Tofu lettuce wraps with creamy coconut-peanut sauce
Inspired by traditional satay, Dhivya Subramanian's recipe is crunchy, creamy and hits all the right notes.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘We rattled it out in 20 minutes': how Kingfishr made a hurling team song into an Irish folk smash hit
'Welcome to the best thing we've ever written,' jokes Kingfishr lead singer Eddie Keogh, in a video recorded in a studio in October 2024, before he knew just how right he was. Keogh, flanked by bandmates Eoin 'Fitz' Fitzgibbon on guitar and Eoghan 'McGoo' McGrath on banjo, reads from his phone as he lends his chesty baritone to the just-written chorus of Killeagh: 'They'd go rarin' and tearin' and fightin' for love / For the land they call Killeagh, and the Lord up above / Kill-la la, la la la la la la la la la / For the green and the white I adore / For the parish to last ever more.' It has since spent 18 weeks in the Irish Top 10, gone four-times platinum, and become the first traditional, folk-leaning song to see this level of success since The Fields of Athenry was a hit for numerous artists in the early 80s. But the trio wrote Killeagh in 20 minutes: 'It literally could not have been more of a slapped-together job,' says Keogh. Last summer, Fitz was back home in his east Cork village, having a drink with his friend and former hurling coach Phillip 'Yank' O'Neill (so-named 'because he tried to go to America once', Fitz explains). All the other teams round here, said Yank, have a song to sing in the changing rooms when they win. We don't. You're in a band. Write a song for Killeagh. Fitz says playing hurling for Killeagh GAA club for 20 years was 'the biggest thing in my life, the only thing really' before the band took off in Ireland: they broke through in 2022 with their poppy singles Eyes Don't Lie and Flowers-Fire. His aunt Mary is the club's secretary, his uncle Moss played for them, his grandfather Tom was their president and also a player. The junior team features Fitz's brother Cathal, and is coached by their father Ger. Fitz said he would write a song if the juniors got to an east Cork final in 2024. In his head, 'it was not going to happen. Killeagh haven't been in the final since 2001, there's no way they'll get to a final this year. And lo and behold, October arrives and they get to the final, and Yank texts me almost immediately.' Kingfishr were recording their debut album at the time, which is now titled Halcyon and set for release in August. The band, who started making music together as a way to pass the time during lockdown-afflicted degrees at the University of Limerick, were in a decent place – they had supported Bruce Springsteen and Dermot Kennedy, and were booked to play a few 5,000-capacity venues in Ireland over the summer. But what was about to happen in that studio would lead, Keogh says, to 'conversations about next year's venues that are hard to make sense of in your brain'. While McGoo was laying down some moody banjo stuff for the album, Fitz and Keogh turned to their hurling song. 'We just ran off for 15, 20 minutes,' Fitz says, 'and I started rattling it out.' They wrote about local spots the River Dissour and Glenbower Wood. 'Thinking nothing of it because it was all a bit of a joke. Then we showed it to McGoo, who said: 'What if instead of la la la, it's Kill' la la?' And sure, the three of us were screaming and shouting: this is the greatest thing ever!' The song is a heart-on-sleeve tribute to the sport of hurling and the focal point it provides for the people of Killeagh – and, by inference, communities like it all over Ireland. The first time it reached a crowd, it wasn't sung by the band, but the Killeagh junior hurlers, who went on to win their final. A few days later, despite some reluctance from Fitz – who viewed the song as 'a pisstake' and says it took him 'a long time to come round to the idea that it was about more than just my hurling team and the river that flows through my village' – the band recorded it, and it was released in December as a B-side on their single Bet on Beauty. No dials were moved until St Patrick's Day, when for some reason – perhaps its visceral Irishness, perhaps its mention of green and white – the song began to feature in a series of 'get ready with me' videos posted on TikTok, primarily by teenage girls. 'I remember saying to someone that we'd get a great weekend out of it, but once Paddy's Day is over, it's dust,' says Keogh. 'And he said: 'You haven't thought about this – the hurling's about to start,' and the penny dropped. I thought: Oh Jesus Christ, this could be massive.' The song was written for the people of Killeagh, and has permanently connected the band to the town – their sponsorship of Killeagh's new under-10s jerseys is testament to that. But it was adopted across the entire county of Cork as it became an anthem for an inter-county season in which the Cork team won the National Hurling League, the Munster Hurling Championship (their regional knock-out competition), and were – according to the bookmakers, their fans, and every expert going – supposed to win the biggest prize of them all, the All-Ireland. Alas, they capitulated in the second half of the final last Sunday and let a six-point lead become a 15-point loss to Tipperary. But on their way there, the song expanded its zone of endearment from Killeagh, to Cork, to everyone in Ireland who'd ever been involved with a GAA club, to seemingly just about everyone in Ireland. Sign up to Sleeve Notes Get music news, bold reviews and unexpected extras. Every genre, every era, every week after newsletter promotion Dr Sandra Joyce and Dr Róisín Ní Ghallóglaigh, who lecture in traditional Irish music at the University of Limerick, attribute the song's success to an alchemical blend of factors. Beyond the timing and TikTok virality, Killeagh has a certain musical familiarity: it employs phrasings typical of Irish traditional music, with a verse's second line ending on a minor note before resolving itself on a major one, for example. There's the enormously singable chorus – 'any eejit can sing la la la la,' points out Joyce – and its evocation of an aspect of Irish life, the community-anchoring GAA club, that so many people either participate in or feel nostalgia for. Joyce says that although she initially thought the song 'a bit stereotypical', she's found herself singing it around the house and would 'bet my bottom dollar that it'll be sung at [folk] singing sessions around the country.' Ní Ghallóglaigh's first words are 'what a great song!', and thinks Killeagh is 'a modern addition to the Irish folk canon. 100%'. Joyce agrees. When I tell the band this, they're gobsmacked. Keogh says he always thought of Ireland's canon of folk ballads as a fixed entity, not something anyone could hope to add to. I ask him if adding to it is, more than streams or venue bookings or TikTok fame, the ultimate success for Kingfishr. 'For me, personally,' he says, 'success is being in the middle of a crowd of people and singing it with everyone, grabbing on to the lads next to you and looking at the people around you and thinking: you'll always remember this. I think that's what sport is, and what music is. People are absolutely crying out for that: being part of something bigger than yourself. Being part of a fucking team.'
Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Telegraph
The best pubs in England, according to you
The Telegraph's guide to the 500 Best Pubs in England prompted a flurry of responses from readers – clearly opinions are strong when it comes to your favourite traditional venues. We've poured over the hundreds of comments beneath the guide to highlight some of the pubs you recommended. The pubs you love from our selection In general, there was plenty of support for the pubs on our list, each chosen by guru Will Hawkes for 'their charming character, welcoming staff, rich history and – of course – award-winning beer'. Of The Strugglers Inn, Lincoln, D Richardson wrote: 'Unexpectedly finding an outstanding pub is one of the truly great experiences. One such example was walking into The Strugglers when looking for a pint in a 'proper pub' before going on for a meal. The exterior was inauspicious, but walking into the main bar, I immediately knew that I had struck gold. I ordered a pint of mild and wandered through to the snug. Within five minutes I was chatting with a group of locals. It was such a profoundly wonderful experience, I said to them that it was one of the occasions that proved God exists. I virtually had to be dragged out to go to dinner.' The discovery of an unexpected treasure also inspired reader Joe Rice to comment: 'Me and my brother were in Manchester recently searching for a drink after a Santana gig. Found The Circus Tavern – what a gem! A welcoming atmosphere and a great line-up of proper ales.' Meanwhile, John Moyes took the opportunity to shout about one of his locals: the Limeburners Arms in Nether Kellet, Lancashire. 'I regularly visit and there is no doubt it is a little gem,' he said. 'Wonderfully, it serves cask beer (usually just one) which is always well kept. It is owned and run by one man, Joe Moore, who is a full-time sheep farmer and he opens the pub when he is not working. He is well supported by his regulars and this was clearly demonstrated not so long ago when he spent some time in hospital. During that time, a small group of people ensured it remained open on a voluntary basis.' David Bissett was another reader to express approval for our list: 'Great to see so many good pubs,' he writes. 'I've just come back from one of these, The Coach and Horses at Weatheroak Hill, Worcestershire. The own-brewed IPA (Icknield Pale Ale) is very good, as is the Holdens Golden Glow they have on. The common denominator of all these pubs seems to be they are either independent free houses or not part of any of the large 'PLC' faceless chains – long may they continue, they are the fabric of the country.' Maxwell Sawyer's affection for one of our 500 pubs goes back a very long way. He explained: 'When my parents moved to Stamford from London in 1953, our first home was the small tied cottage at the right-hand end of the Jolly Brewer (it is now part of the pub), then called The Brewery Inn – kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, one bedroom on the first floor and one (mine) on the top floor. My father was a drayman for Melbourn Brothers (the local brewers), hence the cottage, and my mother played the piano in the pub during the evenings.' What makes the perfect pub? Mr Bissett believes independent ownership is key, and other readers shared their thoughts on what makes the perfect pub. 'Great ale and staff, and their ability to look after that ale,' said Anthony Booty. 'No TV screens or fruit machines. Personally I hate music pumped through speakers at a volume that makes everyone speak louder. I miss bar stools in many pubs I have visited since the pandemic. In a good pub, regulars all have nicknames as no-one remembers their proper names. Nice to have customers who are chatty but not overly chatty. In winter, a nice fire is essential, even if it's a log-burner.' Emma Dixon added: 'I want different things depending on the season: in winter I want a fire or a burner at the very least. Dim lighting and an overall feeling of 'hygge' as well as decent beer and wine. In summer I want an agreeable beer garden – ideally with a view – and a Provençal rosé by the glass.' The price charged for a pint is also critical, according to readers. 'I paid a shade under £7 for a Guinness in my local last week,' said one. 'I won't be going back.' Thomas K added: 'The perfect pub is my local, which sells real hand-pulled ale at £3.80 a pint. Yes, £3.80 a pint!' The pubs you think should have been included Many readers took the opportunity to recommend pubs they felt deserved inclusion, and they weren't all independent businesses. 'Didn't see many 'Spoons' on here,' said John Smith, one of several to express his backing for the budget pub chain. Mark Turvey recommended The Folly at Napton in Warwickshire. 'The 'history' is to some extent manufactured, as it was not always a pub,' he admitted, 'but the decor, the proper pub atmosphere and the welcome extended to locals and visitors alike make this a canalside gem.' Richard Lotherington praised The Halzephron Inn near Gunwalloe, Cornwall, for its 'excellent food, well-kept beers and the best view in the country, over Mounts Bay'. Stephen Gibbs had yet another Liverpool-based pub to add to our pick of 10. 'Well done on your Liverpool choices, a very fair selection I think,' he said. 'But please note The Grapes pub on Roscoe Street in Liverpool city centre is my absolute favourite.' Alison Durham's favourite? 'The Princess Louise on Holborn… or The Crown in Belfast.' Rob Trevor suggested an extra pub in West Yorkshire, to go with our selection of 12. 'The Three Pigeons in Halifax is an absolute gem,' he said, 'with a faithfully restored 1930s interior, traditional cask ales from Osset brewery, and warm welcoming staff. Perfect for a visit to the Piece Hall or Halifax Town football club!' Paul Thomas directed fellow readers to The Plough & Harrow in Litlington, East Sussex. 'It has a great garden and the food is fantastic. It's quintessential pubbing in the heart of the cosy green hills of the South Downs.' R Lowth added: 'Can't believe The Old Crown in Hesket Newmarket [Cumbria] is not on the list! The first community-owned pub in Britain with a great selection of cask beers from the brewery next door.'
Mail & Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
How US conservatives use religious outreach to shape African policy
The underlying message being pushed is a narrow, conservative ideology: Be, heterosexual, traditional. Reject feminism. Reject LGBTQ rights. Photo: Antonio Bronic/Reuters On 26 and 27 June, the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown On the surface, it was a celebration of unity. Beneath it, though, lay a strategic campaign by a US-based religious organisation to embed a specific brand of conservative American theology into African cultural narratives. The soft language of empowerment masked an ideological demand. This isn't new. In 2024, LDS held Preaching power through local mouthpieces What made the Freetown event especially effective was its reliance on local voices to legitimise its message. From the opening to to the closing prayer, the conference amplified a Mormon worldview through African public figures On day 1, LDS Elder Kenneth Pambu opened with inclusive-sounding language: 'Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and caring home.' But his definition of the ideal family quickly narrowed: a heterosexual, nuclear unit rooted in divine order, guided by strict gender roles. Later, a speaker warned, 'The digital world is teaching our children values we do not agree with.' The message was clear. Modernity equals danger. Tradition, as defined by the Mormons, equals safety. Catholic Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles echoed rhetoric from the 2019 Ghana conference, warning of a curriculum that 'sexualises' students and condemning foreign aid tied to LGBTQ rights. The crowd cheered. An Islamic leader added, 'Family is a combination between a male and a female. There is no he, she or she-he.' Cloaked in cultural pride, this rhetoric erased all Sierra Leoneans outside the sexual or gender binary. It's a recurring pattern. One group of wealthy white outsiders empowers local conservatives to criticise another group of white outsiders for allegedly corrupting African values. The irony is met not with resistance but with applause. First lady Fatima Maada Bio, a popular figure praised for her advocacy for women and girls, framed the event as a national imperative. 'This partnership is not just about religion. It's about restoring hope, dignity and values.' Her announcement of a new safe house for survivors of gender-based violence, an LDS–first lady collaboration, was met with thunderous applause. Such a resource is vital. Yet its framing raised questions. Will women have to accept Mormon doctrine to access lifesaving services? Will only certain women — married, respectable, God-fearing — be welcomed? A digital Trojan horse The LDS church is strategic in Africa. It does not lead with doctrine. It leads with scholarships, media, partnerships and food drives. From glossy brochures to high-definition testimonials, it appears tech-savvy and community-minded. But beneath the polish is a clear ideology. Be faithful, obedient, heterosexual, traditional. Reject feminism. Reject LGBTQ rights. Reject sex education and intellectual inquiry. Focus on your family and stay quiet about policy shifts and corruption. The LDS church doesn't attack activism outright. It elevates modesty, family and tradition as cultural revival. To question this is framed as rejecting your roots. This is not overt coercion. It is something more insidious — a foreign ideology dressed in local attire. An imported theology, marketed as a return to African values. The conference didn't just celebrate families. It defined them. And, in doing so, it excluded structures and identities that don't fit LDS or conservative norms. The real cost of moral policing Let's be clear. This is not an argument against faith. Religion remains a cornerstone of African life. It can uplift, protect and unify. But when faith becomes a vessel for narrow definitions of womanhood, family and morality, it ceases to be spiritual. It becomes political. And when it defines who is worthy of protection, who is moral and who is 'truly African', it becomes a neocolonial tool of division. This should concern all of us. The danger of what we saw at the Freetown conference lies not only in what's said but in what's omitted: the single mother, the blended family, the outspoken or non-conformist child. When these realities are erased, the LDS church isn't just shaping culture. It is scripting the future. Who suffers when the future being built in our name doesn't reflect us at all? The next 'strengthening families' conference is scheduled for Liberia in June 2026. If Freetown was any indication, our Liberian colleagues must luk insai dis tin ya so (examine something closely). Ask who is speaking to us. Who is speaking for us? And what harm will be caused by what is left unsaid? Mina Bilkis is a feminist storyteller and digital rights researcher in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Famia Nkansa is a writer, editor and communications consultant.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Ancient Chinese Exercise That Builds Lean Muscle and Trims Your Waist
There are countless forms of exercise that promise to shrink your waistline and help you build lean muscle. From racking up 10,000 steps a day to lifting weights a few times a week, the options are endless. But as it turns out, one ancient Chinese practice may be the most surprising of them all, according to a recent study. Tai Chi is a form of low-impact, slow-motion exercise that originated as a traditional Chinese martial art. Today, it's practiced around the world as a way to support both mental and physical health. Known for improving balance, flexibility, and focus, Tai Chi is often praised for its calming, meditative movements. Now, new research shows it can also help reduce waist size and increase lean body mass in just a few short months. The study published in Scientific Reports followed 46 participants, all with a BMI of 28 or higher. For 12 weeks, participants were split into two groups: one performed Tai Chi three times a week, while the other did stretching exercises with the same frequency and duration. Both groups were evaluated before and after the intervention using body composition and waist circumference measurements and a formula-based estimate for VO2 showed that Tai Chi significantly improved both waist circumference and lean body mass. On average, participants in the Tai Chi group lost around 3.38 cm in their waist and gained 0.87 kg of lean mass. The participants in the stretching group saw a larger reduction in waist circumference, about 4.68 cm, but did not show meaningful gains in lean mass or aerobic capacity. "Based on the results, this study demonstrates that Tai Chi exercise is more effective than stretching exercises in improving the physical health of university students with obesity," the study authors said. "Specifically, Tai Chi exercise enhances lean body mass and reduces waist circumference, whereas stretching exercises only contribute to waist circumference reduction." It's worth noting that neither Tai Chi nor stretching led to significant improvements in cardiovascular fitness. That's likely because both were too low in intensity to affect VO2 max, a factor that may be better addressed through higher-intensity training, such as interval workouts. "Although Tai Chi exercise does not significantly impact VO2 max, it remains a valuable physical activity for promoting overall health in this population," the authors state. "Future research should incorporate intermediate measurements and utilize more precise instruments to enhance the accuracy and depth of analysis." The Ancient Chinese Exercise That Builds Lean Muscle and Trims Your Waist first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 8, 2025
