Around the World in 6 Books

Around the World in 6 Books

Inquisitive, historical and cultural podcast journey. Join me, Ani, as I read my way across continents, one country and six books at a time.

Episodes

June 5, 2025 33 mins

In this episode I go over the first book of this journey through Panama. The text focuses on the culture and customs of Panama, as indicated by the book's title. In addition, I'll go over what I learned that was surprising, not surprising, irksome, and fun about the reading.

In the Encore section I mention several sources. Here they are for those you may be interested.

On the concept of "patria:"

Panamanian poetry https://www.panamapo...

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Two continent stops (Asia and Africa) completed; two countries inquired about (South Korea and Angola); and twelve books were read thus far in "Around the World in 6 Books." The books discussed covered folk tales, wars, colonialism, gastronomy, a female warrior queen, and cultural movements - amongst other subjects. At least six glocalizing activities were enjoyed too as a result of all of that reading and learning!


But as much as ...

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Angolans' pastimes include watching and playing sports, going to the movies, swimming, and socializing with family and friends. One of the most popular games played in Angola is also played in various formats around the world and in the US. In Episode 3 of "Let's Glocalize, Angola!" I go over how I learned to play this popular game enjoyed by many Angolans.

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After the gustatory success of the Mandu glocalizing experience for the South Korea journey I wanted to do something food related again. But I encountered several challenges when it came to the Angolan version of this activity. In Episode 2 of Angola's "Let's Glocalize!" series I describe these challenges, and what I eventually ended up cooking.

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Happy New Year! It is glocalizing time again!


According to Oyebade, the author of Book 1, Angola's semba gave birth to Brazil's samba. In Episode 1 of Angola's "Let's Glocalize!" series I tell you about how I pursued a samba related activity. An activity that is inspired by Angola, and experienced through Miami's Brazil.

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Time to say “See you later, Angola”! The last episode of my Angolan journey is a brief recap of the journey’s expectations, what was learned, what remains to be covered (if anything), and the challenges encountered in this journey. 

And after all that reading, "what comes next?" You may ask. The Angola glocalizing series! Stay tuned!

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In Episode 7 of the reading journey through the first country in Africa I go over some of the cultural aspects in the divination practice of the Luvale, one of Angola's many ethnic groups. In addition, I reveal details about the next episode and when to expect the Angola glocalizing episodes.


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Book 5 of this journey through Angola was not what I thought it would be about. Although that's the case, it doesn't mean that a great opportunity to learn about Angola's history and culture is not provided through its actual content. It almost feels like that was meant to be. To many degrees the author expands on issues that I touched on in the episode on Book 1, such as Angolan identity.


The title and question of...

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In Episode 5 I discuss the fourth book about Angola on the transatlantic slave trade, and the surprisingly close relationship between Brazil and Angola during this period.

I leave out of the discussion details about research methodology, which is something of importance for scholars like Ferreira. With this book, as with any scholarly ones included in the podcast, I accept the content at face value. Regardless of the methodology a...

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If you've ever wondered how a fierce female warrior legend from Africa might have been, the biography that I discuss in episode 4 reveals it. Her name was Njinga, and she was the Queen of Matamba (and Ndongo) in modern day Angola.

Towards the end of the discussion on her biography, by Linda M. Heywood, the title and question of the 4th book in this journey are revealed. 

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The Chokwe are an ethnic group from Angola and other parts of West Africa. They are known for their craftsmanship, amongst other things.

In the second book based episode about Angola I discuss how the Chokwe tell stories through drawings called "sona."

The title and question of the third book in this journey are revealed towards the end of the episode. 

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In this episode I go over the first book of this journey through Angola. The text focuses on the culture and customs of Angola, as indicated by the book's title. However, amongst other topics, it surprisingly revealed a history plagued by armed struggles of different types.

The title and question of the 2nd book in this journey are revealed towards the end of the episode. 


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It is time to move on from South Korea, and on to the next country. Which continent will be next? What country in it? These are the topics that the current episode will go over.

I’ll also introduce listeners to the first book in the second part of this first journey around the world. Book 1's discussion episode premieres in a month.

Stay tuned!



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Episode 4 goes over the last of the South Korean glocalizing activities. The experience described is not the originally intended one, but karaoke was (to my surprise) fun. Learn how I ended up switching activities, and other details through this episode.

Next country stop after this? Find out May 2nd, 2024!

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The Korean Peninsula is known for its gastronomy. I used the second "Let's Glocalize!" activity as an excuse to learn more about it.

In this episode I show how I learned how to make Korean dumplings, known as mandus, and how I customized them to fit personal and cultural preferences.

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Episode 2 of the "Let's Glocalize!" Limited Series shows the decisions that led to my selecting baseball as activity to glocalize. In addition, it looks at various aspects of that experience.

Towards the end of the episode a clue about the next country in the first journey around the world is included too.

Note: The podcast is now found in other platforms like iHeart, Public Radio, and Apple Podcasts where only audio ...

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Episode 1 of the "Let's Glocalize!" Limited Series introduces listeners/viewers to the series.

The podcast is now found in other platforms like iHeart, Public Radio, and Apple Podcasts where only audio episodes are available. If you are listening through one of those platforms know that any gaps in the audio is usually a transition between sections in the video of the episode. I'm working on making these transitio...

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This brief movie is a collection of videos about the books posted almost weekly in the podcast's Instagram account.

I hope you enjoy its nuggets of details, and the announcement at the end of the movie.

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Time to say “See later, South Korea”! The last episode of my South Korean journey is a brief recap of the journey’s expectations, what was learned, and what remains to be covered. 

I’ll also tell you about what’s next, which continent, possible country options, and other things.

For an additional glimpse of the episode's content, visit its page at https://sixbookspodcastxyz.wordpress.com/2023/12/07/journey-1-part-i-asia-south-k...

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In this episode I’ll share a summary, and reflections about Book 6 (the last book of my journey through South Korea!).

Towards the end of this episode I will tell you about the next episode, which will be the last one in this South Korean journey, and what it will cover. 

For an additional glimpse of the episode's content, visit its page at https://sixbookspodcastxyz.wordpress.com/2023/11/02/journey-1-part-i-asia-south-korea-ep...

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