#cultural-practices

[ follow ]
from Smithsonian Magazine
2 days ago

How Mistletoe Became a Christmas Kissing Tradition

Mistletoe symbolizes love and romance, linked to ancient traditions and myths, most famously the custom of kissing beneath it during the holidays.

Must-have German household items DW 11/20/2024

Bread and salt symbolize prosperity and stability during a German housewarming.
House slippers, or 'Hausschuhe,' are essential for comfort in a German home.
High-quality German knives from Solingen are renowned for their durability and sharpness.

Study confirms Egyptians likely used hallucinogens in rituals

Ancient Egyptians used hallucinogens in rituals, revealing their complex spiritual practices and beliefs about fertility and healing.

Bad Sleep Could Stem From This Lonely Bedtime Habit

Animal sleep behavior reveals social influences on sleep patterns, observable in species like olive baboons and mice.
Infant co-sleeping is prevalent in various cultures despite controversy, contrasting with Western views on self-reliance.

Pope Francis Wants to Save the Environment. He Can Start With a Tree.

Environmentalists are urging Pope Francis to reconsider the relocation of a large tree for Christmas decorations to protect it from being cut down.
#community

11 Gratitude Practices From Around the World That You May Want to Borrow

Gratitude is expressed uniquely across cultures, each with its own rituals and significance.

The Painful Pleasures of a Tattoo Convention

Art and community experiences are deeply tied to cultural practices and settings, as seen in the New York Tattoo Convention.

11 Gratitude Practices From Around the World That You May Want to Borrow

Gratitude is expressed uniquely across cultures, each with its own rituals and significance.

The Painful Pleasures of a Tattoo Convention

Art and community experiences are deeply tied to cultural practices and settings, as seen in the New York Tattoo Convention.
morecommunity

Readers reply: Why do windows in the UK open outwards?

UK's outward-opening windows stem from historical practices and safety considerations, while other regions adopt inward-opening designs for easier cleaning and stability.
#ethics

Chatting with the Dead

Deathbots enable interaction with deceased individuals through AI chatbots, continuing a long tradition of connecting with the dead.

The case for sparing 46 million turkeys this Thanksgiving

The annual turkey pardon tradition raises ethical questions about animal rights and the human perceptions surrounding Thanksgiving dinner.

Chatting with the Dead

Deathbots enable interaction with deceased individuals through AI chatbots, continuing a long tradition of connecting with the dead.

The case for sparing 46 million turkeys this Thanksgiving

The annual turkey pardon tradition raises ethical questions about animal rights and the human perceptions surrounding Thanksgiving dinner.
moreethics

Opinion | The Ubiquitous Flower That Marks the Day of the Dead

Cempasuchil flowers symbolize life, death, and memory, especially during Day of the Dead in Mexico, connecting families across generations.

Designing for Death: The Bizarre Appeal of Aestheticizing the Afterlife

Design is integral to how we memorialize death, bridging emotional gaps and shaping cultural narratives around mortality.
#dining-etiquette

The Victorian Era Fork That Used To Rule Ice Cream Eating - Tasting Table

Victorians demonstrated wealth through etiquette, notably with specialized utensils like the ice cream fork, which reflected their obsession with dining sophistication.

Is It Okay to Lick My Fingers at a Crab Boil?

Licking your fingers at a crab boil is generally acceptable, as dining etiquette varies with context and the messiness of the meal.

What to Know About Tipping in Italy, According to an American Who's Lived There for 15 Years

Tipping in Italy is not obligatory, but it is evolving and appreciated as a sign of gratitude for good service.

The Victorian Era Fork That Used To Rule Ice Cream Eating - Tasting Table

Victorians demonstrated wealth through etiquette, notably with specialized utensils like the ice cream fork, which reflected their obsession with dining sophistication.

Is It Okay to Lick My Fingers at a Crab Boil?

Licking your fingers at a crab boil is generally acceptable, as dining etiquette varies with context and the messiness of the meal.

What to Know About Tipping in Italy, According to an American Who's Lived There for 15 Years

Tipping in Italy is not obligatory, but it is evolving and appreciated as a sign of gratitude for good service.
moredining-etiquette
#ancient-history

A Brief History of Submission

Historical practices of submission have deep roots across cultures and time, often reflecting complex emotional states.

To Divine the Future, the Ancients Relied on These Chance-Based Fortune-Telling Tools

Humans have historically sought answers to personal uncertainty, similarly to using horoscopes or Magic 8 Balls.
The Sortes Astrampsychi provided a structured fortune-telling system for individuals in ancient times.

A Brief History of Submission

Historical practices of submission have deep roots across cultures and time, often reflecting complex emotional states.

To Divine the Future, the Ancients Relied on These Chance-Based Fortune-Telling Tools

Humans have historically sought answers to personal uncertainty, similarly to using horoscopes or Magic 8 Balls.
The Sortes Astrampsychi provided a structured fortune-telling system for individuals in ancient times.
moreancient-history
#nutrition

30 Days (of Soup) at a Postpartum Hotel

Postpartum recovery practices in Taiwan emphasize nutritious meals delivered by professionals to aid recovery.

This Is How Eggs Became The Ultimate Breakfast Staple - Tasting Table

Eggs are a historic breakfast staple tied to nutrition and energy for manual laborers, with roots dating back to ancient civilizations.

30 Days (of Soup) at a Postpartum Hotel

Postpartum recovery practices in Taiwan emphasize nutritious meals delivered by professionals to aid recovery.

This Is How Eggs Became The Ultimate Breakfast Staple - Tasting Table

Eggs are a historic breakfast staple tied to nutrition and energy for manual laborers, with roots dating back to ancient civilizations.
morenutrition

We need to talk about whether Trader Joe's counts as a pumpkin patch

The American Halloween pumpkin tradition evolved from Irish folklore and has become commercialized through grocery stores.
The legitimacy of Trader Joe's as a pumpkin patch is debated, highlighting the clash between tradition and modern convenience.
#archaeology

Volunteer discovers astonishing' array of witches marks at English Heritage site

The discovery of witches marks at Gainsborough Old Hall offers insight into historical beliefs about protection and cursing practices.

Europe's last pagans imported horses to sacrifice 700 years ago

Pagans imported horses for barbaric ritual slaughter up until the 13th century.

Volunteer discovers astonishing' array of witches marks at English Heritage site

The discovery of witches marks at Gainsborough Old Hall offers insight into historical beliefs about protection and cursing practices.

Europe's last pagans imported horses to sacrifice 700 years ago

Pagans imported horses for barbaric ritual slaughter up until the 13th century.
morearchaeology

7 favorite recipes for celebrating Day of the Dead

Pan de muerto is a traditional sweet bread symbolizing the connection between the living and the departed during the Día de Muertos celebration.

How the Wine Industry Is Fighting Back Against Bad Press

Wine faces challenges from climate change, declining sales, and shifting consumer attitudes, prompting industry advocates to promote its positive cultural aspects.

How to Bring the Light of Joy to Others

Sukkot offers a unique approach to generating happiness, emphasizing humility, gratitude, and celebration even amidst personal suffering.

How much do you have to play with your kids?

Parents often feel guilty for not playing enough with their kids, yet their involvement isn't always beneficial for child creativity.

We non-Jews us should follow the Yom Kippur tradition of asking for forgiveness

Yom Kippur serves as a reminder for all to acknowledge their sins and seek repentance regardless of faith.

I'm a lucid dreamer - I use it to stay in touch with my dead granddad

Lucid dreaming can lead to profound spiritual awakenings and personal insights, particularly in times of stress.

People Who Had An Arranged Marriage Are Sharing Their Stories

Arranged marriages remain a common cultural practice worldwide, eliciting varied personal experiences that range from deep love to significant challenges.

Why do Spaniards eat so late?

Spaniards have significantly later meal times compared to much of Europe influenced by historical time zone changes.

A teenage bride auctioned' for a record price: the child marriage that divided a nation

Cultural marriage practices in South Sudan often disregard the individual's right to choose, leading to controversies around consent and age.
#female-genital-mutilation

When a Nation Banned Female Genital Cutting, a Defiant 96-Year-Old Resisted

In 2013, Gambian women publicly renounced female genital cutting, marking a significant cultural shift.

The Guardian view on tackling FGM: as progress slows, efforts must be redoubled | Editorial

FGM remains a critical issue globally, affecting 12,000 girls daily with serious health risks and violations of rights.

When a Nation Banned Female Genital Cutting, a Defiant 96-Year-Old Resisted

In 2013, Gambian women publicly renounced female genital cutting, marking a significant cultural shift.

The Guardian view on tackling FGM: as progress slows, efforts must be redoubled | Editorial

FGM remains a critical issue globally, affecting 12,000 girls daily with serious health risks and violations of rights.
morefemale-genital-mutilation

Indians celebrate elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha, remover of obstacles

Devotees celebrate Ganesha's birth during Ganesh Chaturthi, culminating in immersing idols in water while whispering their wishes to the deity.

I Used the Japanese Concept of "Mottainai" to Lower My Grocery Bill - And Saved $127 in a Week

Embracing the Japanese concept of mottainai encourages mindful consumption and respect for resources, impacting everyday life positively.

Medieval Pilgrimages: It's All About the Journey - Medievalists.net

Christianity was fundamentally integrated into the daily lives of medieval Europeans, influencing their practices, values, and spiritual journeys.
from www.thehistoryblog.com
3 months ago

New interpretation of runes reveals Viking Age pricing

The Forsa Ring's inscription suggests a flexible Viking monetary system with a new interpretation revealing nuances in payment of fines.

Understanding The Conflict Of Interests Between Daughters-in-law And Mothers-in-law And How To Handle Them.

The primary conflict in African marriages often arises from mothers-in-law prioritizing their interests over their sons' marriages, leading to interpersonal tensions.

Recipe for Philippines chicken adobo with rice adobong manok by Sri Owen

The best rice in rice-growing countries is plain steamed, not overcooked in foreign recipes.

Challenges and Solutions for Building Machine Learning Systems

Challenges in building ML systems are primarily in model creation and maintenance. MLOps involves cultural practices to bridge data science and ML engineering.

"Kaffepause" Is the Relaxing Norwegian Habit You Need to Try Tomorrow

Experience the Norwegian kaffepause to shift from rushed coffee consumption to a ritual focused on connection and coziness.
[ Load more ]