EXPLORING THE WONDER OF THE WORLD’S DIVERSE CULTURE
Culture is an incredibly diverse and complex topic that encompasses a wide range of human experiences and behaviors. Every culture has its own unique sets of beliefs and customs, and Every culture is unique and complex, and studying different cultures can provide insights into the rich diversity of human experiences.
I always have a keen interest to know about different cultures, I found some of them very interesting and amazing. I like to share a few of them.
HANGING COFFINS: MYSTERIOUS SKY GRAVE
The dead are placed inside their coffins (sometimes breaking their bones in the process of fitting them in), and the coffins are brought to a cave for burial.
Hanging coffins are coffins that have been placed on cliffs. They are practiced by various cultures in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The tradition is claimed to have been practiced for over 2,000 years and Sagada people believe that by placing the coffins on the side of a cliff, the deceased would be brought closer to heaven/their ancestral spirits.
All of the organs remain in the body during the embalming process. Instead, the Embalmer makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts tubes into the body cavity. These tubes pump a mixture of chemicals and water into the body, which helps to preserve the tissues and prevent decomposition. Hanging coffins are coffins that have been placed on cliffs.
DON’T ASK FOR SALT
In Egypt, it is considered impolite to ask for salt at the dining table. This is because salt has a symbolic meaning of friendship and hospitality, and it is believed that if you have been invited to someone’s home for a meal, then you are already considered a friend and part of the family.
Well in every culture it is all right to ask for salt, but if you are dining in Egypt, keep in mind to avoid asking for salt. It is taken as an insult to the host. Asking for salt is seen as a sign that the host has not provided enough or has not been hospitable enough.
RED INK IS A SIGN OF DEATH
Pen inks come in a wide array of colors and sometimes it is fun to use them to make colorful doodles, drawings, and whatever.
South Korean superstition centers around the use of red ink in pens, especially if you’re writing people’s names. AVOID AVOID AVOID! In South Korea, writing someone’s name in red ink means the person is about to die or is already dead.
The family registry used to have the names of the deceased listed in red ink. Writing someone’s name in red ink denoted that they had either died away or if they were still alive, that you wished them harm or death.
TRUTH BEHIND THE TURKISH EVIL EYE
One of the first things that catch your attention in Istanbul is an evil eye bead, in the Turkish language called Nazar boncuğu. It is a cultural thing with over 5000 years of history that is still used across the country, particularly for a newborn infant, a brand-new car, or even a newly built house to keep away bad energy.
Evil is in the eye of the beholder. ~David Mitchell
Amulets such as the Nazar are used following common sayings such as “an eye for an eye”, where another eye can be used to protect the recipient of the malefic gaze
UNIQUE HISTORY ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE KALASH PEOPLE
The Kalash people are unique in multiple ways. Some researchers believe they are descendants of the armies of Alexander the Great; some of his men stayed behind on the Indian subcontinent after his campaign through the region. Although this is a common claim in Pakistan and India, the Kalash are the only people whose genes show an injection of European DNA around the time of Alexander’s campaign.
The Kalash people also have their religion and culture. Although Pakistan is a Muslim-majority country, the Kalash are animists. Kalash culture is believed to be linked to ancient Hinduism.
TOOTH ON THE ROOF
In Greece, children throw their teeth onto the roof of their homes.
This cultural tradition states that if you throw a child’s tooth onto the roof of your home, it will grow into a healthy new tooth. They also believe that this act will bless the family with good luck.
The parents encourage the child to throw his baby tooth that fell off onto the roof tiles himself, by reciting the phrase [ I give you bone, you give me gold].
LA TOMATINA “ A TOMATO FIGHT”
Each year, thousands of tourists and locals gather in Valencia, Spain to participate in a tomato-throwing festival known as La Tomatina. The one-hour food fight is part of a larger celebration of Spain’s rich history and traditions and is largely considered a rite of passage for anyone traveling through Spain.
People throw almost 100,000 kilograms of over-ripe tomatoes at each other over the course of an hour. People have to book their accommodation way too earlier for this festival, as this festival is limited to few crowds.
It is a fun festival that unites everyone.
Culture is identity — and these culture facts will let you see the diversity of the people all over the world and how it relates to who you are. Learn about the practices, superstitions, and customs of the world.
