Our Southern Neighbor

Mexico is a place that is surrounded with stereotypes in America as it is our neighboring country. Regardless of politics, I want to look at Mexico as a culture. Mexico began with Mayan culture and has come to grow into one of the most unique places on the world, full of passionate people and exotic foods (I know, food is what really matters). I hope I can give you a new outlook on Mexico with my research and personal experience.

In 3114 BC, the Mayans were created in the area that is current day Mexico. They were a culture of rich history which was ahead of their time. They created their calendar off of cosmology (remember, the world was supposed to end in 2012, whoops), their own advanced language, and mathematical calculations (they had math?!). These skills allowed them to focus on making advanced cities, trade networks, temples, and irrigation systems. They traded with neighboring tribes for jade, obsidian, cacao, salt, and sea shell for gold on water and land routes.

El Castillo- A Mayan Temple located near present day Cancun

This extensive system has allowed them to have the materials to still be around today despite jungle encroachment. Their government followed the royal family, which were the bridge between the gods and interpreters of time and celestial events, dictated the social, political and religious functions. They would go to different temples to speak to the Gods. One of the most recognizable temples is El Castillo (The castle) which was located in the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. It was a temple for Kukulkan, the feathered serpent deity, but little is known about their religion and culture as a lot of information was destroyed with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Regardless, Mexico has grown from its roots to create its own culture.

Cinco de Mayo celebration. Notice how I was not even able to talk about their unique wardrobe, so much culture!!!

Put an effort to put aside anything you have heard about Mexico before. Mexico is a country with strong culture that has grown in the past decade. One of their first attributes is that they all speak Spanish, with some who speak some of the more traditional languages (Mayan and Nahuatl). This allowed them to trade with much of South and Central America as this region of the world speaks predominately Spanish. Like much of South America, they hold family as a very important part of their culture and families tend to expand throughout the neighborhood. I have gone to Mexico and seen firsthand that shopping outlets is more like a bunch of friends who are hanging out rather than a typical store. The energy everyone gives off makes it a much more memorable experience. A great way to see this is in the open markets. In these open markets, prices will vary but going to each store usually ends up making a friend or hearing an interesting story. These stories liven the shopping experience (and usually gets you a lower price). However, the true magic of Mexico is during celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo, Day of the Dead, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. During this time, mariachi music (which was actually created for music that matches the rhythm of a traditional dance style known as zapateado) is played to bring the community together through dancing. Kids dance in the streets all day while traditional food is prepared such as enchiladas, tamales, frijoles negros, burritos, arroz con pollo and many others (you probably would have heard of some of these but these are the originals). Mexico is blaring with culture, just need to give it a chance.

I went to Mexico over Spring Break and I was told all the stereotypes of how dangerous it was and it painted a bad picture in my head. However, I went and similar to Peru or the United States, it’s not as prevalent as people say. They are a developing country but the people there are mostly hard workers who welcome anyone with an open heart. Similar to anyone else, they just want their family to be happy and they try to support their community. Rather than focusing on the bad, we should focus on the people and culture of Mexico. Only then can we truly see what this country has to offer.

What a Beaut! The Land of Wonders!

Australia is a country that before European settlement, was almost completely untouched by man. When the British came and settled in Australia, they quickly assimilated the few native people to their customs and most indigenous people died from famine and disease (great way to start a blog post where I am trying to show you how amazing Australia is). After fighting for the British in World War I, the nation of Australia began to work toward independence. Now an independent nation, Australia is interesting as its culture is very similar to Great Britain and the United States, but the slang and the overall landscape makes it one of the most popular travel destination in the world.

Australian slang is unlike any other style of speaking. Australians are very blunt and say what they are thinking rather than hiding it for the most part. I met an Australian in Mexico named Braeden and he exemplified this quality. While he spoke what on his mind, he was still friendly with everyone, making his life an open book. He spat out terms like bloody, give it a burl, mate’s rate, ridgy didge, and other terms that are considered profanity here (it took a while to actually understand him at times). I thought it was too different to get used to but being exposed to it for a prolonged amount of time actually makes the slang feel very natural and I found myself repeating a few of these terms during my time with him. Speaking to Braeden, I became quite interested in looking up how Australia was and I was not disappointed.

Unlike other countries, where their culture is what sets them apart, Australia’s landscape is what sets it apart. Along with the wildlife that is unique to only Australia, such as kangaroos and koalas (I should not have to convince you any more after koalas), they have many different beautiful areas to visit. Uluru, Bungle Bungles, and the Snowy Mountains are three of the few elevated areas of Australia. These scenic views allow you to see the outback stretch out for miles out onto the horizon. If you go at the right time, you can see the sun set over the horizon, giving you a beautiful sense of what Australia is all about. There is also the Daintree Rainforest, which is a rainforest in the northern part of Queensland where shallow ponds lie, allowing for a rich diversity of animals in the rainforest. Shark Bay (believe it or not, not famous for its sharks) and 12 Apostles are two beautiful shorelines that people frequently visit. Shark Bay is home to the Dugong while 12 Apostles has some amazing rock structures off the shoreline that leave people in awe. Along with all these unique places, there is also the famous Great Barrier Reef, which is home to hundreds of unique species as it is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. People visit Australia for this amazing reef alone, but there is so much to enjoy in this large country.

Australia is unique because it was a paradise untouched by land. Even many people not live there, it is still a place that holds it natural beauty throughout all these years. The people are friendly, the landscape is beautiful, and it will feel like “home away from home”. I hope to visit soon to see all these wonders myself and I hope that you will join me!

12 Apostles
Shark Bay
Mackenzie Falls (another natural wonder not mentioned, so much to talk about, ahhh)
Bungle Bungle
Great Barrier Reef
Daintree Rainforest

Quaint Bangladesh

Time to go to the world of Bangladesh, located right next to India. It is surrounded by many different countries with many different cultures and religions and has assimilated them into its own culture. They have created many different food, music, dance, arts, folklore, literature, literature, and more. There is so much to talk about that instead of describing the overall atmosphere of the country, I am going to go through a few distinct parts of their culture and allow you to see how underrated Bangladesh is.

One big part of Bangladesh is their landscape. Fishing and farming are a large part of the agriculture. Bangladesh have multiple sources (ponds, ocean, lakes, and even in submerged fields of paddy) of fresh and saltwater fish so they have one of the most abundant variety of local fish in the whole world. Along with fish, they have many different sweets that are unique to Bangladesh. One of their most famous desserts is cham cham, which is known for its sweet flavor (and is commonly used as a nickname for loved ones. It’s their version of you’re so sweet). They also grow fresh fruit in many towns, so you will find people picking fruit on the streets. However, if you are not attracted to any of this (for some odd reason), they have English, Continental, Chinese, Thai, Szechuan, Turkish, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and even Uzbek restaurants all over the county. The magic though is in the arts.

Typical attire for rural areas
These costumes were made using old techniques for a play on their history

There are people in the urban seem like the typical resident, but the rural areas truly express the culture. People usually wear a lungi, gamcha, fatua, panjabi and pajama (I do not know what this is so I will post a picture so we can learn together). Along with their dress, they also practiced in the art of textiles, metal works, jewelry, wood works, bamboo works, pottery, painting, dancing, drama, and sculpting. Each of these skills are taught in the same way that they were taught in medieval times as they believe preserving these talents are important for a successful nation so that they understand the idea of hard work. They still sell these products at local open markets as they are cheaper than other brands (if you want to save a little money). These are not the only traditions they hold onto.

Nakshi Kantha is a tradition that they do every few years. This is where everyone in the family take any worn-out cotton and turn into a quilt. It is meant to represent everything people have gone through since the last quilt and it brings unity. They are used for whatever is needed at the time and are shown as a gift of respect for special occasions (ex. Marriage, folk festivals, etc.).

This melting pot of cultures is special because no matter which path the Bangladesh decide to go, they will hold their past in high regards and preserve the tradition. I think this is important because anyone, even a country can lose their ways at times and remembering where you are from is an important way to correct oneself.

The United Archipelago: Indonesia

Temple

Indonesia is a country that sounds familiar but no one really knows what it holds. Indonesia is very diverse, holding over 300 different ethnic groups with an estimated population of 253 million. The people there have roots from China, Europe, India, and Malaysia. The first thing people notice is how religious the people are. Over 80% of the population is Muslim, with the rest of the people following the other major and minor religions. They have temples to worship all the different Gods on all the islands, creating a sense of an oasis where one can find peace among friends.

This idea of peace and unity is extremely important to Indonesia as their population is so diverse. They have created a strong sense of cohesion within the country under the motto, “Unity in Diversity” (I want this motto everywhere). The people show this by seeing their community as a part of their family. Any person who we would typically give respect to by using a title, they would call “father” or “mother”. This leads life to be very different in Indonesia. They are taught to remain calm in public, avoid disagreements, speak quietly with consideration, and not get angered over little things (we should take notes).

ikan bakar (roasted fish), nasi timbel (rice wrapped in banana leaf), ayam goreng (fried chicken), sambal, fried tempeh and tofu, and sayur asem.

Now one may think that Indonesians do not face their problems and create a front with each other but this is quite the contrary. People are taught to avoid the cause of shame, or “malu”, to yourself or anyone else. As a result, they are taught to make sure that anything that blames or humiliates someone should be talked about in private so people do not feel shamed from the community. This had led to many ways to saying yes and no, but the peace they have created is worth the occasional miscommunication. While they have the same ideals, many live different lives.

Jakarta, the sprawling megalopolis that is the capital of Indonesia. It is beautiful as it still gives off their city vibe, but it also holds their values of community along with having unique foods such ikan bakar and nasi timbel. To top it all off, most know how to speak English as this is a very popular tourist destination because the more one looks into this beautiful city, the more you will love the atmosphere it provides. However, there is an even more beautiful city than Jakarta.

This is Bali. A place where you can literally play with monkeys!

Bali is the reason I began researching Indonesia. Bali encompasses the whole culture of Indonesia in one city. There are temples, ceremonies, artwork, and music are spread all along the town that brings the city to life. While a lot is based off their religious values, they also are known for their nightlife and EDM concerts (talk about variety). People then typically eat the food that they grow and catch in this little city on the water while relaxing on the white beaches that are good for any activity (if you are looking for a popular local snack, try rice paddies). The overall vibe that Bali give is fantastic. It is relaxing and everyone is so accepting, making a stop that no one forgets (really, look up Bali and see what comes up).

Peru! My home away from home!

What better place to start my adventure exploring the world’s culture than my heritage, Peru? Peru is located in South America and their primary language is Spanish. However, Spanish was brought from overseas with the Spaniards. A tribe of people known as the Incans used to live in Peru before the Spaniards and spoke a language known as Quechua. They were known as the tribe of gold as the kingdom had many riches, primarily gold, which they made many artifacts from. The artifacts were made in honor of their Gods such as the Sun God, Inti. They worshipped their Gods through various ceremonies and wearing the colorful outfits, which is still seen today in more rural areas. However, much of the Incan empire and its innovations have decayed. Cuzco, which used to be the capital of the Incan empire, has now become a tourist attraction where people try to show what remains of the Incan empire.

One major landmark that still remains is Macchu Picchu. While it not known what Macchu Picchu was exactly, some ideas are a royal retreat, a nunnery, or the last Incan city. After all, Macchu Picchu was where the Incans held their final stand against the Spaniards. This is also where a large amount of their gold reserves was held at the fall of the Incan Empire. What made Macchu Picchu such a prime area was that it was located on the mountain so they had the high ground to protect themselves with. Furthermore, they had a healthy supply of food with livestock and terraced farming. However, the magic of Peru is not lost. In Cuzco, people still fly the Incan flag (which was a LGBTQ flag with Inti located in the center) and celebrate their traditions. Band will play in the streets while shops set up the market to barter (if you do not look Peruvian, be careful in the market as the store owners will increase the prices because they will believe you do not know any better). They also have many different fruits and ingredients that can only be found in Peru such as the Lucama and the granadilla. In fact, Peruvian cooking is very popular as Peru is known for its chicken and other dishes. Overall, Peru has many different cultures in its borders whether it is making dye from plants in the mountains to singing in the streets with a mariachi band, Peru is a place everyone should visit at some point. One disclaimer is that people will call Peru economically unstable, but as with many other places, it is still a beautiful place to visit and after you will never be the same.

Me in Cuzco
Incan Flag found in Cuzco

 

Wonders of Peru! Home Away From Home!

What better place to explore the world’s culture than my heritage, Peru? Peru is located in South America and their primary language is Spanish. However, Spanish was brought from overseas with the Spaniards. A tribe of people known as the Incans used to live in Peru before the Spaniards and spoke a language known as Quechua. They were known as the tribe of gold as the kingdom had many riches, primarily gold, which they made many artifacts from. The artifacts were made in honor of their Gods such as the Sun God, Inti. They worshipped their Gods through various ceremonies and wearing the colorful outfits, which is still seen today in more rural areas. However, much of the Incan empire and its innovations have decayed. Cuzco, which used to be the capital of the Incan empire, has now become a tourist attraction where people try to show what remains of the Incan empire.

One major landmark that still remains is Macchu Picchu. While it not known what Macchu Picchu was exactly, some ideas are a royal retreat, a nunnery, or the last Incan city. After all, Macchu Picchu was where the Incans held their final stand against the Spaniards. This is also where a large amount of their gold reserves was held at the fall of the Incan Empire. What made Macchu Picchu such a prime area was that it was located on the mountain so they had the high ground to protect themselves with. Furthermore, they had a healthy supply of food with livestock and terraced farming. However, the magic of Peru is not lost. In Cuzco, people still fly the Incan flag (which was a LGBTQ flag with Inti located in the center) and celebrate their traditions. Band will play in the streets while shops set up the market to barter (if you do not look Peruvian, be careful in the market as the store owners will increase the prices because they will believe you do not know any better). They also have many different fruits and ingredients that can only be found in Peru such as the Lucama and the granadilla. In fact, Peruvian cooking is very popular as Peru is known for its chicken and other dishes. My family in particular would have giant meals every dinner with the whole family (this is about 15 people and that is considered small!) and we would eat new unique dishes in Peru. One of the best things about Peru though is the community. Of all the places I have traveled, I have never seen a place that is more welcoming than Peru. Peru is not as developed as America, so there is poverty. However, this does not deter Peruvians. Rather, I would see constant generosity to one another so they could all prosper. Overall, Peru has many different cultures in its borders whether it is making dye from plants in the mountains to singing in the streets with a mariachi band, Peru is a place everyone should visit at some point. One disclaimer is that people will call Peru economically unstable, but as with many other places, it is still a beautiful place to visit and after you will never be the same.

Me in Cuzco
Incan Flag found in Cuzco

 

Southern Limits: The Country of Community

South Africa is one of the few countries people can usually name when they talk about Africa. However, no one really knows much about South Africa, so I decided I would see what this country has to offer. The first thing I realized is that two thirds of the topography of South Africa is a plateau and holds many developed cities, including their capital, Johannesburg. These areas are populated by many different groups, from British colonists to the ethnic group, Zulu. The diversity in this country leads to the citizens to know many different languages. In fact, the diversity in South Africa has led to eleven official languages. The most popular language is Africaans for everyday conversation, but English is used for commerce, education, law, government, formal communication, and the media. Along with the diversity came many different views and cultures in one area. Many different cultures have rights of passage and other notable ways to celebrate.

A South African dinner with the community

In South Africa, slaughtering of livestock and the brewing of traditional cereal bond is common. This is to ensure the goodwill of the ancestors who are considered the guardians of good fortune, prosperity, and well-being. They are adjusted for whichever community is celebrating. These celebrations are not once a year though, as they value community, so in South Africa these celebrations take place every weekend to strengthen bonds (party every weekend? Hmm, sound familiar). People usually bring dishes to these celebrations to represent that family’s contribution to the community. When seeing each other at a party, a typical greeting is to shake one’s hand and smile, but since some women prefer to not shake hands, most wait for the women to extend her hand. If a man knows a woman very well though, they kiss them on the cheek in place of a handshake (This originates from the French colonies that used to control parts of South Africa). One of the strongest communities in South Africa are known as the Zulus.

Zulu Men

The Zulus are sub-Saharan Bantu people. While they started in the 18th century, they still hold their traditions (Trust me, this is where it gets good). The first thing people will notice is the clothing. Men wear the amaShoba are cow tails worn on the upper arms and below the knees to give the appearance of greater bulk (I have to get these). They also wear the IsiNene and iBeshu, which are aprons that cover the genitals and the rears. They get longer as the men get older. Finally, men wear headbands as a sign of marriage. Meanwhile, women wear a short grass skirt embellished with beads. They also wear a hat that is made from grass and cotton and is sewn into the hair. When a woman gets married, she covers her entire body to show she is taken. She wears a cowhide skirt with a white, red, or black cloth on top. She covers her breasts with beads that have a message that only her husband understands. This is only the beginning of the Zulu culture though.

The Zulu people are known for many things. They construct many intricate baskets and beads and they have many unique foods such as amazi (they also brew a lot of beer, which is typically the women’s job to make). However, they are probably known best for their dancing and their value of family. The Zulu have many different dances for different occasions. Some of these dances include the Dance of the Small Shield (which is used to be for military unity but is now for royal occasions), the Hunting Dance, and even the umBhezuko (which is used to imitate the tides). Finally, the Zulu, like other South Africans, also value community. Their traditions are very different for community.

The Zulu find family as a very important part of society. When a child is born, they are given a pet name, which will be changed when they are seven, and again when they reach adulthood. This can be a typical name, but it can also be a name that are related to an event that happened close to their birth. The raising of men and women diverge as they grow older. Men are taught how to fight with a stick and shield, getting their first spear at the age of fifteen. Meanwhile girls are taught how to maintain a household and farm. She is given her first hoe at the age of eleven. From here, everyone follow the chief’s example and do their part to beneficial from society. Zulu have many more different traditions such as polygamy, lobola, and more.

One of the many celebrations that South Africa holds . This is Dinagyang, which takes place on their Independence Day.

This just shows the rich culture of South Africa.

South Africa is a place full of diversity. In the city, it is similar to here in an American city, but with a bigger emphasis on community. However, in the country, people hold the traditional values. Zulu is not the only tribe, there are many other cultures that I could not possibly speak of without making this blog more than a hundred pages long. Overall, South Africa is rich with variety and is a worthwhile destination.

The Wonders of Vietnam

Just below China is a country known as Vietnam. My interest in Vietnam originates from my friend who used to take me to many Vietnamese restaurants. I was immediately enticed with the rich feeling of culture I got so I decided to look more into this fascinating country.

Vietnam began as a country of rice farmers in the Red River Valley 2,000 years ago. They used canals to irrigate their crop and eventually they began a kingdom known as Van Lang. Van Lang prospered until it was taken over by China in the 2nd Century BC. The Chinese ruled northern Vietnam for more than 1,000 years and Chinese civilization had a major impact on northern Vietnamese culture. Meanwhile, south Vietnam had many Indian influences and was known as the Funan kingdom while another Indian influenced kingdom named Champa was located in the middle of Vietnam. Northern Vietnam resented their Chinese rule, so in 40 AD, the Trung sisters led a rebellion, but it was crushed soon after in 43AD. The Chinese continued to rule North Vietnam until the 10th century, when a leader named Ngo Quyen defeated the Chinese in the battle of Bach Dang River and North Vietnam became independent. The Mongols then invaded Vietnam three times in the 13th century and they captured the capital, but usually retreated quickly. They lived prosperously until China tried to regain control of Northern Vietnam in the 15th century. However, their rujle was resisted and in 1418, Le Loi began the Lam Son Uprising. The Chinese were removed from Vietnam and Le Loi became Emperor Le Thai Toi. He united Champa and Northern Vietnam together. In the 16th century, the Le dynasty declined and the two rival families, the north by the Trinh and the south by Nguyen. In the 1770s, a rebellion led by three brothers called Nguyen conquered all of Vietnam.

After Vietnam had become united, the French made it one of their colonies in the 19th century. The French began building many different infrastructures such as roads and bridges in Vietnam, but it was funded by heavy taxation. The Vietnamese wanted independence and this led to the Revolutionary Youth League led by Ho Chi Minh in 1925. In 1930, this became known as the Vietnamese Communist party. Then in 1940, the Germans defeated France and Japan took advantage of the French’s state of weakness by putting troops in French Indo-China, which includes Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh took this to his advantage and drove Japan out of Vietnam. This left a power vacuum and Ho Chi Minh took over. He declared independence for Vietnam. The French did not want to give up their power and they fought the Viet Minh. However, they realized they could not win so Vietnam was split on the 17th parallel.

Today the culture in Vietnam is very different than the United States. First, many Vietnamese believe in many different superstitions that affect Vietnamese life. For example, a boy may not be able to marry a certain girl because she was born in the wrong year. This is based upon the 12-year lunar calendar. Along with superstitions, they also have celebrations for people reaching 40, 50, 60, etc. This is a sign of respect for one’s elders as they have survived through many hardships. Rice is also still a major source of income. Eight out of ten Vietnamese living in rural area gain their income from rice. Vietnam also has unique clothing, architecture, music, and food (everyone has to try pho). While it is often forgotten under China, Japan, and Korea, Vietnam has its own history and culture that is beautiful and everyone should visit.

Cảm ơn! (Thank you in Vietnamese)

Conical Hat from Vietnam
Pho
Architecture with Chinese, French, and Indian roots found in Vietnam

Ideas for Blog!

This is my new passion blog to explain the cultures and lives of people around the world. I do not want to limit my view of the world to just one area so with this, I can find and share how people live around the world! I will dive into different subjects, history, customs, trade, and even unique symbols that the area is known for. I hope I can spark people’s interest in a place they barely thought about or never knew existed before.