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Selam & Hello
By Lilly Bekele-PiperSociety & Culture
Selam & Hello episodes
- Live! The Happiest Place on Earth: A Journey to Centrafrique
In this special edition, join Lilly and the live audience as she has a soul-stirring conversation with Jean, a loving father, dedicated husband, and a resilient citizen of Centrafrique. Jean introduces us to his "happiest place on earth", a country populated with warm people whose focus is on the present, not the past.
Jean, born and raised amidst the decades-long civil war in Centrafrique, reveals the harsh realities of living in a country beset by political unrest since 1997. He shares intimate stories about his upbringing as well as how laughter helped them cope with the challenges they faced. Jean tells us about his escape to Chad, after a heart-wrenching separation from his family during a coup, and how he was reunited with them. His stories of rice in refugee camps and falling into a river infuse the conversation with humor and courage.
Jean's journey takes a turn when he moves to France, and confronts and navigates a system entrenched with racism. His choice to relocate to Kenya - an English-speaking country - started as a form of rebellion but evolved into a love story. Nonetheless, the various changes in his life, between languages and borders, have left him with both stories of joy - and of the justice he wants to create for his beloved homeland.
Jean's version of Centrafrique is the place he yearns for his son to understand and love. He expresses his aspiration to positively impact his homeland, starting at the grassroots level—one family at a time.
Rounding off the episode, Lilly and Jean lighten the atmosphere with a friendly game of "Who Does It Better?" Listen to find out if Kenya or Centrafrique is crowned the winner!
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
52 min - (PART 2) Selam & Done: Dennis Ombachi Chops it Up!
Friends - this week, the best way to enjoy this episode is on YouTube! Watch as Lilly and Dennis chop up his first Ethiopian meal - the classic dish, tibs! The recipe is below and you can enjoy the full experience on YouTube as they prep the meal from start to 'done!' A special twist at the end where Lilly makes ugali for the first time…enjoy!
Follow Dennis Ombachi:
- TikTok
- YouTube
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
RECIPE FOR ETHIOPIAN BEEF (or LAMB) TIBS - CLASSIC RECIPE
-------Ingredients ----------
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1/2 chopped red onion
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1 pepper (optional)
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1 tablespoon kibe (Ethiopian clarified butter)
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1 tablespoon Berbere (Ethiopian spice)
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1 cup of beef - chopped into cube sizes
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2 tablespoons oil
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1 tablespoon salt
--------Instructions -------------
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With your pan on medium high heat add cubed beef, mix and stir.
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Continue to stir occasionally until the beef pieces are half way cooked.
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Add oil to the pan and mix well.
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After about 2 min and the beef pieces are no longer pink add onions and mix.
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Next, you want to add about a tablespoon of berbere (the less you add the less spicy the dish will be). After you add the berbere quickly mix well as it will stick to the pan. You may need to add more oil.
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After about 2 min add kibe and mix well.
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Turn the heat down to low, add salt and mix well.
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Serve with injera
24 min - Selam & Done: Dennis Ombachi Chops it Up!
This week on our show, Lilly delves into the intriguing life of Olympian, chef, international rugby player and winner of TikTok's Top Creator Africa in 2022 - Dennis Ombachi. They explore his multifaceted career path, personal life, and his journey from a young rugby prodigy to a content creator. Dennis also touches on significant milestones such as missing a second Olympic opportunity, and fatherhood that have profoundly shaped his life in the last few years.
Dennis discusses how his initial engagement in rugby was fueled by the need to escape poverty, leading to an unexpected and deep passion for the sport. Career-threatening injuries pushed him to contemplate his future and eventually pivot his career, leading him to discover a new passion for cooking and content creation - bringing the 'Roaming Chef' into our feeds and our kitchens.
Dennis also shares his brief journey with homelessness and his ongoing care of his mental health. He shares how a young friend led his back to his family as a teen and how as an adult living with bipolar disorder, therapy and medication have changed his life. His honest account and the reminder that often only urban areas in Africa benefit from raised awareness around mental health needs, challenges all of us to be better ambassadors for both street children and the care of our community's wellness.
Finally, Lilly and Dennis explore his future plans and the legacy he wishes to leave for his children. Dennis reveals how his partner has inspired him and how his children have kept himj humble - and taught him the invaluable lesson of selflessness.
Don't miss this powerful conversation that offers an intimate look into the life of a man who has continuously reinvented himself in the face of adversity, all while maintaining a determination to make a positive impact on the world around him.
Stay tuned for a special bonus episode where Lilly and Dennis chop it up in the kitchen and make Ethiopian tibs!
Follow Dennis Ombachi:
- TikTok
- YouTube
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
49 min - Weaving Glorious Histories of Fathers and Griots
In this week's riveting episode, Lilly converses with Baba the Storyteller, a master griot who has spent three decades spinning tales of wonder and wisdom for global audiences. Inspired by history and a pursuit of self-knowledge, Baba narrates his journey from his roots in Compton, California to Senegal - and ultimately, across the world.
Lilly and Baba journey together through tales of his heritage from enslaved Africans, to where Baba first learned the art of of the griot tradition - which ultimately transformed his life and brought him into his calling. He has taken his extraordinary gifts as an exceptional orator, lyricist, and kora instrumentalist to schools and communities across the world. From his work in Colombia, to China, to Brazil, to Kenya - Baba reflects on the need for us to truly see children, the abundant love he feels from his history and heritage and how the versatility of storytelling is a tool to move past the pain of the past to the purpose of the now.
A poignant narrative from Baba's grandmother casts light on the brutal history of slavery and colonialism, reinforcing the profound role personal narratives play in shaping our world. Through tears, laughter and shared joy - Lilly and Baba discuss the power of storytelling in ensuring communities understand their past, present, and future.
Finally, listeners are treated to Baba's musicianship on the kora and a moving parable that has a powerful lesson embedded between the melodious sounds of the kora. This episode offers an emotive and enlightening exploration of the histories of griots, fathers - and ourselves.
And from the Selam & Hello family - Happy Baba Day to each of you fathering and loving the children in your home and community.
Follow Baba the Storyteller:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Website
Get Baba's Book:
-
Road of Ash and Dust: Awakening of a Soul in Africa
Follow Selam & Hello:
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Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
1 hr 13 min - Lucky Girl
In this episode, Lilly engages in conversation with Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, author of one of the hottest books of the year - "Lucky Girl." Irene's journey is as compelling as her debut novel, taking her from a career in journalism, through media and communications, and finally leading her to her true passion – writing.
Together, Lilly and Irene explore the making of "Lucky Girl," a book that explores the story of Soila, a young woman yearning for independence. Soila's journey takes her from the confining expectations of her mother to the bustling streets of New York City, a place that tests and transforms her understanding of race, love, and family.
In their conversation, Lilly and Irene take listeners behind the scenes of Irene's creative process, shedding light on the development of her vivid characters. They discuss the personal and cultural influences that inspired Irene to pen down this complex and nuanced story and Irene shares the challenges and opportunities for writers in today's global publishing market.
Irene shares her hope that the book will not just entertain, but also educate and challenge the perspectives of her reader. Themes regarding the evolution of race in Africa and the diaspora, family dynamics in Kenyan families, feminism, and surviving trauma ultimately make us pause and ask, what makes us lucky in the midst of it all.
Praise for Lucky Girl:
- The New York Times Shortlist
- The 23 Best Summer Beach Reads of 2023 by Harper's Bazaar
- Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu on Navigating American Racism as an African Immigrant
Follow Irene:
Follow Selam & Hello:
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Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
1 hr 9 min - My Mother Was My First Country
My mother was my first country, the first place I ever lived. - Nayyirah Waheed
This last week of May - we are celebrating mothers and people who mother around the world. In this (belated) Mother's Day episode, Lilly, sits down with her wonderful daughters, Saron and Selah, as they peel back the layers of their shared life experiences.
Join them as they delve into the richness of their unique sibling relationships, spanning not just sisterhood, but also the nuanced dynamics with their brothers and how they've contributed to each other's lives in profound ways.
They explore how their multicultural upbringing in the United States, Kenya, and Ethiopia has informed their perspective on self. They also share how they feel a deep connection to each of these places and discuss the complex and ongoing journey of navigating and understanding their identities.
As Lilly's daughters, Saron and Selah, have been raised in a community of remarkable women whose influence has been instrumental in shaping them into the women they are today - and their views on their future careers, families and potential for motherhood/mothering.
Finally, Lilly gets the girls to play a game called, "Your Mama Tried As Hard As She Could". Saron and Selah rate Lilly in an array of motherhood categories like cooking, finances, feminism, and fashion. Their responses are honest, heartwarming, and hilarious!
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
45 min - Habibi Al-Sudan
In this episode, Lilly delves into the ongoing conflict in Sudan that has caused heart-wrenching loss, displacement, and turmoil. In the face of this dire situation, where over 1000 people have lost their lives since April 15th and countless more have been forced to leave their homes, Lilly invites three Sudanese nationals to lead us into the heart of Sudan, its vibrant culture, diverse people, and resilient spirit. Mohamed, Raga, and Elkhair are located across the world, but their hearts are in Sudan.
Raga, who has spent most of her life in Sudan and has lived in Oxford, England for the past decade, articulates her feelings of rootedness to her homeland. She recently had to evacuate Khartoum with her parents and describes Sudan as not just a place, but an extension of her very being—a grounding force and a constant in her conversations and memories.
Mohamed is based in Berlin, Germany and shares his thoughts on both Sudan's challenging political climate and his an unwavering hope for a better future. He sheds light on the powerful bonds among the Sudanese people, regardless of where they find themselves in the world, which creates a community firmly grounded in a shared vision of a tomorrow they will shape with their own imagination.
Elkhair, a Sudanese American currently living in Doha, Qatar, dives into the richness of Sudan's diverse culture. For him, Sudan is a melting pot of diverse people, traditions, and histories that create a beautiful tapestry of human experience.
Lilly's guests also explore the experiences of Sudanese families grappling with the decision to leave their homes. They shed light on the struggles faced during the exodus from Khartoum and reveal the unity of the Sudanese diaspora in navigating this difficult period.
Tune in to hear these intimate narratives that spotlight the resilience of the Sudanese spirit, offering a view of Sudan that is not defined by conflict but by the determination, warmth, and vibrant culture of its people.
To support ongoing efforts in Sudan, you can: follow the hashtag, #keepeyesonSudan, give to Islamic Relief Worldwide, support calls for relocation assistance via various GoFundMe campaigns, keep talking and learning about Sudan.
Our immense thanks to our guests and Haben, Jehane, Amin and Sagda for their contributions to making this episode possible.
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
1 hr 11 min - The Motherland and The Diaspora
In this episode, Lilly takes us on a journey through the lives of three Ethiopian and Eritrean students - Sophia, Daniel, and Mekides - from Blair High School in Maryland, USA. Their compelling discussion centers on the unique experience of being young diaspora members in 2023, an identity marked by cultural exploration, shared struggles, and a profound connection to their roots. They discuss their encounters with racism and the crucial role their heritage plays in shaping their resilience. They share personal stories of growing up in Silver Springs, a microcosm of cultural diversity, and how this environment has both challenged and empowered them. Our guests candidly discuss their respect and gratitude for their parents, acknowledging the sacrifices made to provide them with a life full of opportunities. Their conversations reveal the delicate balance of integrating into American culture while preserving their cultural identity passed down from their parents - a dance that is as complex as it is rewarding. They also talk about their high school group "We The East," a collective of East African students who, through shared experiences and friendships, help each other navigate the intricacies of their multifaceted identities. Navigating culture and finding one's identity as young diaspora members is a layered journey, one that Sophia, Daniel, and Mekdes have not yet fully figured out. However, they recognize that their language and culture have been instrumental in shaping their self-perception, offering them a vital link to their roots in East Africa. Hear their intimate accounts of self-discovery, of finding oneself while straddling two worlds - a journey that is as personal as it is universal.
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
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Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
44 min - Gen Z Has Entered the Chat (Part 2)
This week, we pick up where we left off last week with a continuation of our conversation with Gen Z! In part two of this eye-opening interview, Lilly dives deep with Nairobi's creative trailblazers Philo, Silas, Rick, and Thomas. They candidly share their perspectives on politics, mental health, and their aspirations for the future. Discover how and who influences their lives in different circumstances ranging from relationships and conflict resolution to career choices and wellness. And don't miss the powerful insights they wish to impart to other generations about what it truly means to be part of Gen Z.
Follow
- Philo on TikTok: @pesosnbostudios; IG: @pesos__nairobi
- Silas on TikTok: @silaspiper; on IG: @silas.piper
- Rick on IG: @rick_kilonzo
- Thomas on IG: @tysevisual
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
36 min - Gen Z Has Entered the Chat
According to the UN, Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2011 and aged approximately between 12 to 26 years, is the most populous generation in the world. They are the first generation to grow up with the internet, a declining climate, war and terrorism as the norm and social media. As a result - they are different. In a recent Selam & Hello survey, our listeners said they wanted to hear more from 'young people and men.' So in today's show, Lilly sits down with four young men - all members of Gen Z - to talk about their lives and futures. The conversation went almost 2 hours so we will bring you the discussion in two parts. In part 1, Lilly's guests - Rick, Philo, Thomas and Silas, four Nairobi-based creatives, dive into topics ranging from how social media is affecting their attention span (even Coco Melon is a threat), what defines masculinity, cancel culture, whether or not they see village life/shags as relevant and the complex navigation of relationships, conflicts and just exactly how they slide into those DMs. Their honesty and courage will both surprise and move you.
Follow
- Philo on TikTok: @pesosnbostudios; IG: @pesos__nairobi
- Silas on TikTok: @silaspiper; on IG: @silas.piper
- Rick on IG: @rick_kilonzo
- Thomas on IG: @tysevisual
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
55 min
About Selam & Hello
From the publisher's feed
Selam & Hello is a show featuring stories of joy and justice from Africa and the diaspora. Produced in Kenya for global audiences - Selam & Hello curates conversations on identity and culture…
that inform, entertain and uplift.