93 episodes
The Comb BBC World Service
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- Society & Culture
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4.8 • 98 Ratings
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Combing Africa for stories about the unseen forces that bind us together and tear us apart. A single story, every week. Hosted by Kim Chakanetsa. #thecomb
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Striking gold
“This is a diamond!”: In 2017, two young miners, Komba and Saffea, struck gold. They uncovered a huge 709 carat diamond - the ‘Peace Diamond’ - worth millions of dollars, in Sierra Leone. It was a dream come true for them both. They were rich beyond their wildest dreams. And then, their dream began to unravel.
Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think.
#TheComb
Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com
Produced by Mary Goodhart -
Am I in a cult?
“I was losing myself”: When Mbali was introduced to a new church through a bible study group she was excited at the prospect of finding a new religious community. But as she became more involved with the church, she began questioning some of their unusual teachings and approaches. It left her asking the question ‘Am I in a cult?’
Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think.
#TheComb
Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com -
Not guilty
Accusations, imprisonment, and vindication: The lie that changed Ishmail's life, taking away his freedom, and breaking up his family in Malawi. Nearly 20 years later, Ishmail reflects on the painful reality of being falsely accused.
Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think.
#TheComb
Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com
Produced by Mary Goodhart -
Parenting and punishment
“My dad beat me.” How the physical punishment of a child changed the lives of a Nigerian family forever. Behaviour which was the norm for a mother who grew up in Nigeria was treated as assault in the UK.
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#TheComb
Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com -
Lives in limbo
‘Dadaab is a prison’: Making a life in Africa’s largest refugee camp. When Anab and Mark came to Dadaab as refugees fleeing conflict, they thought the camp would be a temporary shelter. Three decades on, they are now both raising their families in the camp with no hope of relocation and no home to return to.
Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think.
#TheComb
Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com
Produced by Aisha Afrah -
Finding Humanism
A different kind of faith: Navigating life as a non-believer in a highly religious society can be deeply lonely. Leo and Balm both found community and belonging in Humanism - a form of atheism which strives for a life of meaning and purpose anchored in the strength of humankind.
Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think.
#TheComb
Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com
Produced by Mary Goodhart
Customer Reviews
Lost African Soul founds its way back
I love this podcast. I’m not sure why it took so long for me to discover it. I left Africa years ago for greener pastures but there not so green. Add to that, I feel lost. Not from here but forgotten my home. Listening to these stories brings back there. I imagine the people, the places, in my head and I look forward to living there again. I wish we had more of these stories told not only on podcasts but books, movies etc.
Brilliantly insightful!
brilliantly insightful! 10/10 recommend! diverse voices from across the entire continent unlike a lot of content. Amplifies marginalized voices and brilliantly hosted. Can't wait for the new episode each week and I've listened to every single one. 10/10 would recommend!
Superb!
An excellent podcast! Interesting storylines and well produced. Highly recommend.