The Nahmias Cipher Report

The Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speaks about the traditions of a single story framed by prejudice, stereotypes, and misinformation. The author of “Half of a Yellow Sun” (2006), she has several other notable books, short stories, plays and poem anthologies under her belt, but this presentation transcends continents, cultures, and class. View the video here.

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive” ~ Sir Walter Scott In the world of predator and prey, the predator’s desire to satiate their hunger leads them inexorable to kill. Unlike humans, the wild predator’s desire to cull the weakest from the pack is purely instinctual. By contrast, people [...]

The paintings below feature Odalisques. An Odalisque (Turkish: Odalık) was a female slave in an Ottoman seraglio. She was an assistant or apprentice to the concubines and wives, and she might rise in status to become one of them. Most odalisques were part of the Imperial Harem, that is, the household, of the sultan. Source: [...]

Henna is traditionally used to mark important life events such as marriage. When most people think of henna they recall the designs such as those in the photo to the left. This type of design is a “Bridal Mehndi.” In Africa, there is another more painful tradition of scarification; however, in regions throughout the world where Henna plants are grown and cultivated, women have used this plant for centuries to adorn themselves with exotic and beautiful designs, each as unique as the woman who wears them.