The Nahmias Cipher Report

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 13:30 PM EDT, 27 April 2012 First Published: 15:03 PM EDT, 15 January 2010 LONDON, England – Helen Folasade Adu “Sade”, 53, who was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, has come out with a follow-up single to “Soldier of Love,” aptly titled “Love is Found.” It is amazing to watch [...]

A truly powerful movie that is metaphoric and profound on so many levels. Words fail to capture the depth of longing portrayed by the principal character of this film who is the veritable “everyman” calling out to the great unknown for guidance, support, and assistance. As an artist and a deeply spiritual person the other worldliness and mysticism experienced by the characters in this film transcend man made boundaries to emote true connection to the “unseen” that binds us all.

In a time of deep divides along geographical, political and religious lines, it is important for people to remember that ultimately these factions and the resultant conflicts have been a facet of humanity since its beginning. Therefore, we should not define ourselves by this our greatest failing, instead we should strive to identify the communality of our experiences, our humanity, and our intrinsic need to understand from whence we came and to where we return.

Ever wondered how Arabic women seem to possess the most beautiful eyes? Well, turns out that it is an art used to enhance their most visible feature. For traditional Muslim women who choose to wear the Hijab, Burqa, or Bui Bui, eye makeup provides the means for dramatic expressiveness.
It is a way for these beautiful women to communicate their unique individuality. Sometimes in the West we view these women as oppressed victims devoid of creativity or freedom. The beautiful eye makeup featured in the video above contradicts this gross generalization, because these are not objects of derision, they are women; and if we diminish and define them by an outer garment, then we are no better than the men we criticize.

These Algerian Desert Flowers were featured in a 1917 National Geographic story that documented the exotic beauty of North African people and their religious customs. Unlike the anthropological approach to other cultures, people and countries that primarily exists today, the captions that reference many of the photos in this series ‘Scenes of Orient’ are ethnocentric, paternalistic and colonialist at best, and downright racists at worst. Thankfully, the beauty of these captured moments surpass the limitations of the recorder.

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 22:37 PM EDT, 21 April 2010 ISTANBUL, Turkey – Often when people think of Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, the idea of fashion does not readily come to mind.  However, the 2010 Spring Season Fashion show in Istanbul, Turkey should have dispelled this misconception.  Turkey has become the new centre [...]

Watch Carlos Baute’s sultry duet with Spanish diva Marta Sánchez in the official video of ‘Colgado En Tus Manos.’

Featuring images of Ethiopia that are rarely portrayed in the Western media. Like so much of what we are shown of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, there is more than meets the eye; greater diversity, cultural richness and fulfilled lives that do not require nor seek the pity of other nations.

“Say You’ll Be Mine” is the 2009 release by a young Cape Verdean singer named Marcia. As with much of the music produced outside of the US and European markets, artists may be hugely popular in their countries of origin, but barely register on the charts in these Western markets. This small island archipelago off [...]

“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot… wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you’re just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you…. The one who turns to his friends and says, ‘that’s her.’” ~ Anonymous