PERU: On the Cuy – Guinea pig – in history, mythology, folklore & everyday life

Cuy, is part of the culture, history, mythology, folklore and every day life, of Peruvians from time immemorial. This small rodent is identified with the life and customs of the local communities, cuyes are also used in medicine and even in magical-religious rituals. Currently the guinea pig has multiple purposes (pets, experimental animals), although in Peru it is a traditional food.

PERU: On the Cuy – Guinea pig – in history, mythology, folklore & everyday life

CHINA: On the origin of Rice 稻 – Myths, History and Folklore

There are many origin myths and much folklore about rice. In China goddesses, gods, and sacred animals gave rice to humans and taught them how to grow it. Religious use of rice takes place in China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. Discover Myths, History and Folklore of RICE in China, one of the oldest rice cultures.

CHINA: On the origin of Rice 稻 – Myths, History and Folklore

UK | SCOTLAND: Myth and Folklore of the Monster of Loch Ness

Deep in the depths of a lake in Scotland called Loch Ness, lives a mystery. It is a creature that hundreds of people claim to have seen. Some believe it’s a large dinosaur-like creature with a long neck and flippers, a gigantic snake, or a dragon, others imagine it is simply a large catfish or even some fallen branches from the nearby forest. Discover Myth and Folklore of the Monster of Loch Ness – the creature, whether it exists or not, has been a legend for hundreds of years.

UK | SCOTLAND: Myth and Folklore of the Monster of Loch Ness

INDIA | NEPAL: There be Unicorns – Myth & Folklore of the One – horned rhinoceros

At Bardia National Park in Nepal, a lone rhino swishes out the elephant grass. We stand very near, quite at the riverbank peering behind tall grass, hearing – observing – now it is slowly reaching the water, peacefully munching. Floating happily into the river. Discover Myth & Folklore of the One-horned rhinoceros also known as the Indian Rhinoceros.

INDIA | NEPAL: There be Unicorns – Myth & Folklore of the One – horned rhinoceros

NEPAL: Myth and Folklore of the Yeti

Across the Himalayas the yeti is known by many names and was seen as real, familiar for generations in a half-dozen countries from Tibet to Pakistan. A region flush with wildlife, where tigers, bears and wild dogs roamed thick mountain forests, icy mountaintops and remote river valleys. Here, if nowhere else, the yeti was simply one more creature. Discover Myth and Folklore of the Yeti.

NEPAL: Myth and Folklore of the Yeti

INDONESIA: Here be dragons – History, Myth and Folklore of the Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons are the world’s largest living lizards, they only live on a hand full of islands in Indonesia. The crocodile and the Orah, as it is called by the locals, are the closest we have to dinosaurs. The dragons have long been a source of major fascination for the peoples of Flores who share their islands with them, till today. Discover History, Myth and Folklore of the Komodo Dragon.

INDONESIA: Here be dragons – History, Myth and Folklore of the Komodo Dragon

INDONESIA: The people of the Jungle – Myths and legends of the Orang-Utan

Orang-utans, being uncannily like humans and highly intelligent, at the same time as being large and extremely strong, have long been a source of major fascination for the peoples of Sumatra and Borneo who share their forests with them. Discover Myths and legends of the Orang-Utan in Indonesia.

INDONESIA: The people of the Jungle – Myths and legends of the Orang-Utan

CHINA: On the Giant Panda in History and Mythology

Folklore of 熊猫 – the Giant Panda, has its roots in Tibetan and Chinese culture. Read the legends on how the panda got his black marks, discover its etymology and symbolism and the use in traditional Chinese culture. Discover the History and Mythology of the xióng māo, Mo, Pixiu or Giant Panda.

CHINA: On the Giant Panda in History and Mythology

INDONESIA: Legends of the Herons, or Kokokan birds in Petulu Gunung, Bali

The Legends of the Herons, or Kokokan birds in Petulu Gunung, Bali is well known and they are an impressive spectacle as they fly every evening into the trees of the village to sleep and feed their offspring. For many visitors to Bali, the unofficial story behind the Petulu herons is one of the first hints that there’s more to the people and culture than would appear in the smiling faces and brightly coloured ceremonial clothes.

INDONESIA: Legends of the Herons, or Kokokan birds in Petulu Gunung, Bali

CHINA: Mid Autumn Festival Mythology

Historically, the Mid Autumn Festival was a time to enjoy the successful reaping of rice and wheat with food offerings made in honor of the moon. Also known as the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, or simply the Mooncake Festival, it also celebrates the legends of  Chang’e 嫦娥, the Goddess of Immortality and her companion, the moon rabbit, called also 月兔 Yùtù or Jade Rabbit.

CHINA: Mid Autumn Festival Mythology

INDONESIA: Traditional Tajen- Cockfighting in Bali

Indonesia, like many other nations, has banned cock fighting as a cruel sport, although traditional Tajen- Cockfighting in Bali is still allowed for ceremonial purposes. The term bali refers to blood offerings and/or animal sacrifice. These fighting birds are as much a part of Balinese Hindu rites as the burning of incense and giving offerings to the gods.

INDONESIA: Traditional Tajen- Cockfighting in Bali

CHINA: On the origin of Rice 稻 – Myths, History and Folklore

There are many origin myths and much folklore about rice. In China goddesses, gods, and sacred animals gave rice to humans and taught them how to grow it. Religious use of rice takes place in China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. Discover Myths, History and Folklore of RICE in China, one of the oldest rice cultures.

CHINA: On the origin of Rice 稻 – Myths, History and Folklore

CHINA : FOLK TALES ON RICE 稻

RICE IN CHINESE FOLK TALES

There’s more to rice than you think- Discover rice in Chinese folk tales. China has a long and varied history, and its people are of most diverse origin and of different religious traditions. As might be expected, the folklore of India reflects this diversity of history and population. Several old literary collections of tales have been popular among the population for centuries.

CHINA : FOLK TALES ON RICE 稻