Traditions

The Fine Tunes of Traditional Serbian Music

Traditional Serbian music has several influences from both the East and the West. Among them, Turkish and Balkan music forms have exerted the strongest influence. In the past two centuries, the influence of Western music picked up. An old Serbian proverb states that “He who sings thinks no evil,” describing perfectly how the people of ...

Jessica Kneipp

A Serbian gusle stringed instrument.

The Rhythms of Africa: Tribal Dances

On the continent of Africa, it is believed that everything has a rhythm. The baby in the womb is feeling the rhythm of its mother’s steps as she walks. The woman stamping the corn to make porridge for the family is like a heartbeat. The sound of voices rising up together in praise of the ...

Jessica Kneipp

Africans dancing.

The 4 Arts of the Chinese Scholar

Many ancient cultures had a set of values that initiated specific periods of an individual’s life — when you entered adolescence, when you married, when you had a child, and when you entered middle age. At every step, Chinese scholars had to prove themselves worthy of that stage. There were things you needed to do ...

Emma Lu

A chinese zither.

Some Cool Facts About Ancient China

Ancient China was and remains one of the most fascinating places in human history. Full of wisdom, lore, and ingenuity, the ancients were the harbingers of tradition and propriety. Read on for some interesting facts that you may not have known about the most powerful, influential, and continuous culture that humanity has known. Keep in ...

Emma Lu

Old Chinese coins.

The Dragon Boat Festival: What You Need to Know

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in China that dates back almost 2,000 years. Since 2008, the festival has been a public holiday. The festival was created to honor an ancient hero. But now, one of the most popular activities held during the festival, dragon boat racing, has become a popular international sport ...

Jessica Kneipp

A dragon boat.

Learning About Compassion and Charity From World Cultures

The development of a civilization can be ascertained by how well it treats its fellow beings. A dog-eat-dog world can make people hate and fear others. It is ideals like compassion and charity that teach us that taking care of the less fortunate is as important as focusing on one’s own survival and pleasure. The ...

Raven Montmorency

Greek Parthenon temple.

Colorful Clothing of the Miao

When it comes to colorful clothing in China, no one wears them better than the Miao, or Hmong, ethnicity in the country. The Miao have a long history and culture beginning from the Qin Dynasty. And since then, they have honed their arts and crafts, which remain impressive to this day. As lovers of singing and ...

Emma Lu

A Miao woman wearing silver adornments.

Ancient Headwear of China: A Symbol of Elegance and Social Status

Some teenagers wear ripped jeans and brow-raising shirts to tell the world they are a rebel, and some decorate themselves in glam fashion, showing everyone that they’ve made it in the world. Fashion is truly a statement. Likewise, people in ancient China embodied the concept that fashion is tied to your individuality, particularly in terms ...

Emma Lu

Chinese dressed in hanfu clothing.

The Mythology and History Behind Chinese Music

China has one of the oldest music cultures in the world, with a history spanning thousands of years. When it comes to how Chinese music originated, the Chinese have an interesting mythological tale to explain this — one that involves a magical creature. Mythology During a time when immortals walked on the earth, a young ...

Emma Lu

A Chinese flute player.

The Secret to the 33,000 Centuries-Old Stores in Japan

There are more than 33,000 stores in Japan that have endured for centuries. This is the country with the most time-honored brands in the world, including the world’s oldest hotel, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Yamanashi, which was founded in A.D. 705. There is also the Candy dessert shop Ichimonjiya Wasuke, a company based in Kyoto, ...

Helen London

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan.