Most Christian holidays have pagan roots and traditions, and Easter is no exception. In Sweden, it is said that this is the time of year that witches mounted their broomsticks and flew off to Blockulla – the mystical meadow where witches gathered to dance with the devil.
This piece of folklore is commemorated in Sweden on Maundy Thursday, or Scarlett Thursday – the Thursday before Easter Sunday, a day in which the Church marks the Last Supper at which Jesus Christ was betrayed by one of the Apostles. In a tradition similar to Halloween, Swedish children paint their faces and dress as witches (påskkärringar, or ‘Easter hags’). They go from door to door, carrying their broomsticks, to ask for candy and other treats. In some areas, the children make little decorated (more…)
Popularity: 7% [?]
Carnival, the rowdy celebrations preceding the start of Lent, is celebrated across many cultures with different traditions. While Latin cultures are famous for their Carnival celebrations in places such as New Orleans and Venice, there is a very strong Carnival tradition in northern cultures, as well, especially in the Catholic areas of Germany, where the Carnival season lasts for several months. The “Karneval” of Rio (from Latin “carrus navalis” = the “ship of fools”) becomes the “Fastnacht” of Mainz (from the Germanic word “fasten” - to fast).
In many parts of Germany, the official Carnival season begins at the 11th minute past the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – November 11. This gives the various Carnival guilds three to four months to organize the festivities, such as parades, balls, and the election of their Carnival “royalty.” In (more…)
Popularity: 21% [?]
In cultures that observe Valentine’s Day, it is usually the men who are under a lot of pressure to make a dinner reservation and buy a gift for their wife or girlfriend. In Japan and Korea, however, it is customary for the women to give gifts to men on Valentine’s Day instead. Typically, the gifts are boxes of chocolate, which most women purchase for all of the men in their lives: their bosses, male co-workers, male friends and family members. These are called “giri choco,” or “obligatory chocolates.” It is not unusual for a woman to buy 20 or 30 boxes of chocolate for this occasion. In fact, more than half the chocolate sold in Japan is purchased around February 14th!
Japanese women also buy “honmei choco” for their special someone – typically a larger, more expensive (more…)
Popularity: 7% [?]
Robrohan describes the perils of trying to fit in with other cultures (when you don’t really know what you’re doing) – includes a great overview of Chinese dragon symbols.
The travel rats describe the Sensory Overload they experience in their first two weeks in India.
My Grandma is More Sexy than You! The Taiwan News reviews an exhibition of photographs that showcase French culture of 80 to 150 years ago.
Popularity: 7% [?]
We really are different: how culture affects your brain.
But we all ride the same wave: Mike describes how surfing brings together different cultures at Rabat beach in Morocco.
Carmen explains, once and for all, that Chinese Fortune Cookies were actually invented in Japan.
Afghanistan bans ‘The Kite Runner.’
The debate over how to dress for an awards show in India — and: should movie stars apologize for fashion mistakes?
Popularity: 6% [?]
Fili is studying for a PhD in Taiwan after many years in the Israeli IT scene. Fili blogs about Chinese, Taiwanese and Asian cultures. Recent posts on Taiwanese music based on the listening tastes of people Fili has met, and the attitude toward foreigners of the Chinese and the Taiwanese.
Blog: Fili’s World
Author: Fili
From: Israel
Living in: Taiwan
Popularity: 7% [?]
Muslim religious leaders and scholars have sent an open letter to the Pope and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding of the commonalities between the two faiths. The letter, titled “ A Common Word Between Us and You,” marks the Eid al-Fitr al-Mubarak, the festival that is the end of Ramadan, and the one year anniversary of the open letter of 38 Muslim scholars to H.H. Pope Benedict XVI.
In the letter, the authors “invite Christians to come together with us on the basis of what is common to us, which is also what is most essential to our faith and practice: the Two Commandments of love.” The letter goes on to review how both the Muslim prophets and the Christian Bible (more…)
Popularity: 7% [?]
Ghana in Ithaca: Ghana native Sulley Imoro teaches African Drum and Dance to college students in Ithaca, New York as the Ithaca College School of Music’s artist in residence. Includes audio slide show of an African Drum and Dance performance.
No Sports Culture in India: In a country of many cultures, there’s one culture that’s missing: “sports culture,” writes Rishabh Srivastava on Jai Hind: Proud to be an Indian. While he appreciates the extremes of cricket fandom, there is a difference between the “cricket culture” and the “sports culture” needed to win Olympic medals.
Pyotr Patrushev has started a Culture Clash discussion on LinkedIn.
Adino Chang posted a visual comparison of Chinese and German cultures on his blog at , with credit to Mr Liu Yong, a Chinese who was educated in Germany.
Popularity: 7% [?]
We see many great blogs written by expatriates living in other cultures. When we find ones that we like, we will create a post and then list them on our Expats page.
Phil has been living in Finland for four years and blogging about political and cultural topics since 2004. Recent posts include a survey of EU state funding for culture, along with various observations on Finnish attitudes and political issues.
Blog: Finland for Thought
Author: Phil
From: USA
Living in: Finland
Popularity: 6% [?]
