Posts tagged Cal Abbo
Spicing Up Michigan

The culinary traditions of the Chaldean community are as rich and diverse as our ancient history. Originating from the cradle of civilization, Chaldean cuisine boasts a plethora of flavors that narrate our cultural heritage. As the Chaldeans found a new home in Detroit, Michigan, we brought along our cherished recipes, crafting a unique food narrative that melds ancient traditions with the modern-day food landscape of the Motor City.

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Why Language Matters

The Aramaic language, known today in its many names and dialects like Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac, or Sureth, was once the lingua franca of vast swathes of the Middle East and served as the voice of culture and thought for many people in the region. This language, although it experienced a significant decline since that time, has become a defining feature of the Chaldean identity, especially as waves of Chaldeans migrated to new lands in search of opportunity and safety.

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Leaving Minorities Behind

In the blistering heat of summer, Iraq’s infrastructure and institutions have managed to stay intact through another year. Its struggles with water, climate, electricity, and sectarianism preclude the country from making a significant economic recovery 20 years after the United States invaded its borders. Christian minorities often bear the brunt of Iraq’s various crises, which seem to compound rather than resolve. In late August, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court heaved another hardship on its Christian communities by officially upholding a ban on the importation, manufacturing, and sale of alcoholic beverages.

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Dave Nona: Dedicated to a Life of Service

Dave Nona’s life began in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was the oldest child in a large family, having six brothers and two sisters. His father, a banker, moved the family to Amarah, in southeastern Iraq, when Dave was five. “Like most [Iraqi] cities, Amarah was predominantly Muslim,” Dave said. “There were maybe 10 or 15 Christian families, but we did have a Chaldean church and a priest there.” Dave remembers being the only Christian in his primary school.

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