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

EGYPT : On the CURSE OF THE PHARAOH TUTANKHAMUN

British Archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter along with his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922, in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. Rumor and speculation of mysterious deaths began to spread. Discover the life of King Tut, and the Curse of the Pharaoh, Tutankhamun or, the Mummy’s Curse. EGYPT : On the CURSE OF THE PHARAOH TUTANKHAMUN

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

INDIA: Mythology and Diwali rituals of Narakasur in Goa

Narak Chaturdasi is celebrated for Diwali in Goa. Huge effigies of Narkasur, made of grass and hay, dressed in colorful paper clothes and armed with swords and other armaments, are erected in the days preceding Diwali. Narkasur is paraded in the neighborhood accompanied by drums and songs. After dawn with taunts and insults, Narkasur is beheaded and cremated. Discover Mythology and Diwali rituals of Narakasur in Goa.

INDIA: Mythology and Diwali rituals of Narakasur in Goa

INDIA | GOA: Mythology, rituals and history of Ganesh Chaturthi

Traveling and discovering is sometimes about being in the right place on the right day, for us that day was today, when India celebrates Ganesha Chaturthi. This festival is also popularly called Vinayaka Cavithi or Vinayaka Chaturthi. It’s celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, remover of obstacles, the god of beginnings and wisdom. Discover Mythology, rituals and history of Ganesh Chaturthi in India.

INDIA | GOA: Mythology, rituals and history of Ganesh Chaturthi

CHILE: Myths and Legends of the Moai on Rapa Nui-The Easter Island

Rapa Nui offers a world of inquiry that have remained unanswered for centuries. Questions abound surrounding the origins of the people and their culture, the Moai statues, the Tangata manu – Birdman  cult and the history of the Islands racial extermination, ecological and natural disasters. Discover Myths and Legends of the Moai on Rapa Nui-The Easter Island.

CHILE: Myths and Legends of the Moai on Rapa Nui-The Easter Island

INDIA: Gotipua folk dance tradition from Odisha

The Gotipua folk dance tradition from Odisha is practiced in the heritage village of Raghurajpur on the banks of the river Bhargabi. Here young dancers are trained from the age of five to sing and dance to praise Lord Jagannath and tell the story of Radha and Krishna.

INDIA: Gotipua folk dance tradition from Odisha

INDIA: History, myth and folklore of Rasgulla in Odisha

Rasagola, or rasgulla, as many call it, is a traditional sweet from east India; Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The main ingredient is Chena – cottage cheese, obtained by heat and acid coagulation of milk and cooked and caramelized in sugar juice. Discover history, myth and folklore of Rasgulla in Odisha, India.

 

INDIA: History, myth and folklore of Rasgulla in Odisha

INDIA : TREELORE – Bodh Gaya where Buddha sat for enlightenment under the Maha Bodhi Tree

The Maha Bodhi Tree, world’s most famous pilgrim tree,  marks the location where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and is the destination for the Buddhism’s pilgrimage. Discover Myths and Legends of the ancient sacred fig tree at the Maha Bodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya where Buddha sat for enlightenment under the Maha Bodhi Tree.

INDIA : TREELORE – Bodh Gaya where Buddha sat for enlightenment under the Maha Bodhi Tree

INDIA: Kanwar Yatra – History and Mythology of the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s Kanwariyas

In the month of Shravan, cities and towns of the Gangetic plains are inundated with people, dressed in orange, bearing saffron flags, marching to loud music, and carrying a stick sling with pots or bottles tied to either end. They are fetching Ganga water and bringing  to the local Shiva temple, a ritual that marks the end of summer and beginning of monsoon. They are the Kanwariyas. Discover the Kanwar Yatra – Mythology of the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s Kanwariyas.

INDIA: Kanwar Yatra – History and Mythology of the pilgrimage of Lord Shiva’s Kanwariyas

INDIA | Uttarakhand : Harela or day of green – Festival of the Kumaoni people

Harela is celebrated for welcoming the rainy season, the new harvest and to commemorate the wedding anniversary of goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Discover Myth and Folklore of Harela or the day of green – Festival of the Kumaoni people of Uttarakhand.

INDIA | Uttarakhand : Harela or day of green – Festival of the Kumaoni people

INDIA: Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga

The river Ganges meanders through various northern and eastern states of India, streams through Bangladesh, and vanishes into the Bay of Bengal. Ganga is a river and a goddess indivisible from each other. Her water has the power to cleanse — as most Hindus believe — every kind of sin. Bathing in Ganga liberates the soul as does dying in it reaffirming the Hindu notion of Moksha – salvation. Discover the Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga.

INDIA: Mythology of the Ganges river or Mother Ganga