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Chopping tradition could violate law
Ludwe Vusani will observe as the tip of his young son‘s finger is hacked off by a village elder with a long, sharp knife.
For Vusani, 22, an artist‘s assistant who lives in East London, this traditional Thembu practice is a long-held tradition which he, his own father, grandfather and great-grandfathers endured for the sake of culture.
Ludwe Vusani will observe as the tip of his young son‘s finger is hacked off by a village elder with a long, sharp knife. ... more -
Shortage of Hindu priests prompts women to take up the profession
Amid the noise and bustle of downtown Chicago, the groom rode a white horse, shaking to Indian drumbeats in procession to the Palmer House Hilton hotel.
Inside, the bride and groom took seats under thered mandap, or wedding canopy, and the priest began chanting in a high, melodic voice.
For some, the chants heard at the service last month sounded like a break from Hindu custom. Priests are traditionally men, but the presiding priest at this wedding was Shashi Tandon, a respected female elder in the Hindu community and the groom's grandmother.
Since emigrating from New Delhi in 1982, Tandon has presided over countless religious ceremonies for Hindu families in Chicago, Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, filling a void that has emerged because of a shortage of Hindu priests.
As more Hindu men enter more lucrative, secular professions, Tandon and a handful of Hindu women in America have begun performing priestly duties as a way of passing their faith to the next generation.
There is nothing in Hindu scripture that bars women from becoming priests, also known as pandits.
But in some parts of India and the U.S., women priests face resistance from conservative Hindus clinging to tradition. Tandon, 68, a retired teacher with a feisty attitude, recalled a group of men mocking her at one wedding she performed. They asked, How can a woman be a priest?
"I said to them, 'I have a question for you. Can you tell me who gave birth to you?' " she said. "The mother is the true priest. She is the true teacher, the first teacher of the child."
Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, a South Asian studies professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, said more Hindu women are learning priestly functions not necessarily because they feel drawn to religious life. Rather, women—including Shukla-Bhatt—are stepping forward to meet the growing Hindu community's needs.
According to the American Religious Identification Survey, there were about 227,000 Hindus in the U.S. in 1990, composed mainly of Asian Indians. Today there are more than 1 million Hindus in the U.S. and more than 700 Hindu mandirs, or temples. The Chicago area is home to some 80,000 Hindus, according to a Chicago-based interfaith research group.
Although no firm numbers exist, Shukla-Bhatt said fewer Hindu-American men are becoming priests. In her own family, she noted that her father's cousins were all priests, yet none of their children took up the profession.
"At one time, it was considered prestigious, but now it is not considered prestigious at all," she said. "If you are educated, you do something more secular. It is considered to be a sign of less educated, less sophisticated, so not many educated people are interested in becoming priests."
Shukla-Bhatt said many of the earliest Hindu texts speak of women priests. In Hinduism's most ancient book, the Vedas, there are multiple references to women making sacrifices and participating in philosophical debates. But, at some point, things changed.
"It's not that women weren't allowed to do this. It's that somewhere along the line, it got lost, and it became mainly a male profession," she said. "But in the most ancient scriptures, there were women priests. So, we should reclaim that."
Amid the noise and bustle of downtown Chicago, the groom rode a white horse, shaking to Indian drumbeats in procession to the Palmer H... more -
Conservative gay weddings? Same-sex couples opt for traditional wedding customs
Who would have thought same-sex weddings could be this conservative? According to the Advocate, the majority of same-sex couples decide to have more or less traditional wedding ceremonies.
Given that there are no long-established homosexual wedding rituals, this might come as a surprise to those who expected gay and lesbian couples to be somewhat more innovative and daring. However, Los-Angeles-based wedding planner Wendy Rhodes, argues that her homosexual customers' wishes are quite traditional and conventional, including common features such as wedding invitations, festive music, formal attire, white wedding cake, champagne and flowers. According to Rhodes, same-sex couples "want everything they can possibly have in their wedding. People all dream of the same things when they think of a wedding.''
If this points to the fact that wedding trends have a universal quality and transgress borders of sexual orientation, a certain degree of flexibility and openness is inevitable when it comes to planning same-sex weddings. Who pays? Who walks down the aisle? Who gets the first dance? These are just some of the questions gay and lesbian couples have to deal with when planning their big day! According to Kathryn Hamm, president of GayWeddings.com, it is just a matter of time before these questions are answered and homosexual weddings become institutionalised: "The more mainstream same-sex weddings become, the more routine they'll become when it's not this interesting, sensational new thing''.
Hamm also raises the interesting point of the effect same-sex marriage will have on the way heterosexual couples deal with wedding traditions: ''The thing I'm curious about is what happens to all wedding ceremonies once there's marriage equality. How will same-sex marriages change the landscape for heterosexual couples?''
What do you think?
Who would have thought same-sex weddings could be this conservative? According to the Advocate, the majority of same-sex couples decid... more -
10 bargain destinations
For travelers on a budget, these places offer great value: With a wealth of attractions, they're affordable without necessarily being cheap.
Going on vacation doesn't have to cost a fortune. It's possible to see the world without breaking the bank — and you don't have to bunk in hostels or pack a sleeping bag to do it. Money-saving strategies include venturing to off-the-beaten track destinations, avoiding tourist traps, traveling during periods of low demand or simply seeing a place the way the locals do. Here are some of our favorite travel bargains around the globe. For travelers on a budget, these places offer great value: With a wealth of attractions, they're affordable without necessarily being ... more -
10 Japanese customs you must know before a trip to Japan
If you know these key Japanese customs, you’ll get closer to the locals and see beneath the surface of Japan.
1. Addressing Someone, Respect
Bowing is nothing less than an art form in Japan, respect pounded into children’s heads from the moment they enter school. For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or an attempt at a bow at the waist will usually suffice.
The duration and inclination of the bow is proportionate to the elevation of the person you’re addressing.
The duration and inclination of the bow is proportionate to the elevation of the person you’re addressing. For example, a friend might get a lightning-fast 30-degree bow; an office superior might get a slow, extended, 70-degree bow. It’s all about position and circumstance.
In addition to bowing, addressing someone properly is key. Just as a “Dr. Smith” might feel a little insulted if you were to refer to him as “Smith”, so would a Japanese if you do not attach the suffix “san” to their last name, or “sama” if you are trying to be particularly respectful.
Usually children are content with just their first names, but you can add the suffix “chan” for girls and “kun” for boys if you like.
2. Table Manners
Some simple bullet points here:
- If you’re with a dinner party and receive drinks, wait before raising the glass to your lips. Everyone will be served, and someone will take the lead, make a speech, raise his drink, and yell “kampai!” (cheers).
- You will receive a small wet cloth at most Japanese restaurants. Use this to wash your hands before eating, then carefully fold it and set it aside on the table. Do not use it as a napkin, or to touch any part of your face.
- Slurping noodles or making loud noises while eating is OK! In fact, slurping hot food like ramen is polite, to show you are enjoying it.
- You may raise bowls to your mouth to make it easier to eat with chopsticks, especially bowls of rice.
- Just before digging in, whether it be a seven-course dinner or a sample at a supermarket, it’s polite to say “itadakimasu” (I will receive). If you know these key Japanese customs, you’ll get closer to the locals and see beneath the surface of Japan. ... more -
here comes gay arranged marriage!
Great article on young gay Indians, and why they may or may not follow tradition.
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The Amazons Magic Potion
It´s said to cure everything from depression to cancer. But it also gives you visions of your present, your future and your past lives. Some people see the moment they were born. It´s said to cure everything from depression to cancer. But it also gives you visions of your present, your future and your past lives... more
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Chinese new year Tiger show
In a Chinese restaurant in England a Tiger makes an appearance dancing around the venue and having a jolly tiger ing time!
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Alternative Christmas message by England boss Fabio Capello
New England football boss Cappello enlightens the English fans with a festive message!
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Polygamist's Sons: Incest Will Bring Back The Line Of Jesus Christ
Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse...
Alaric LeBaron, tells KSL.com 5, "My dad is a religious fanatic, and he believes in this. He believes that incest is going to bring back the line of Jesus Christ."
Ross LeBaron, Jr's three sons broke away from the polygamist lifestyle and claim that their father is impregnating their sister and claim to have the DNA evidence to prove it.
Ross LeBaron, Jr is a wealthy Utah man and three of his sons, David Uri LeBaron, Elend LeBaron and Alaric LeBaron (He is an Air Force doctor in Afghanistan so his comments were made via the phone), all tell a disturbing tale of their fathers belief that "incest is going to bring back the line of Jesus Christ."
According to David, one of his sisters has bore four children and his other sister has bore one. All three sons had saliva tests done and had the DNA compared to two of their sisters' young children.
David says, "Both of them, from our understanding, show that the father of those children were male members of the family", he continues, "We've done DNA testing. We know what's going on, and we're here to find a way to put an end to it."
See also http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=3202636 Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse... ... more -
Walpurgis Night - The Other Halloween
I hope you all had a cacklingly good Walpurgis Night! In Sweden, the young jump over a huge bomfire, among many other traditional rituals which include getting very drunk indeed. Click on the picture to read a little bit more on the subject. Yes, we Europeans have two Halloweens, two nights for the witches.
As for myself, I got the unannounced visit of a witch. I let her be, and in the end she left angrily because I simply didn't enter into her games. Then I created a series of fantastic 3D pictures. I hope you all had a cacklingly good Walpurgis Night! In Sweden, the young jump over a huge bomfire, among many other traditional ritu... more -
The Bullfight // Comment Picked for TV
Here's another thought provoking upload left for "The Bullfight" that aired during 2008's Pod Madness tournament. Thanks to kevung for this one! You can check out the pod here: Here's another thought provoking upload left for "The Bullfight" that aired during 2008's Pod Madness tournament. Thanks to kevung fo... more
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The Bullfight // Comment picked for TV
"The Bullfight" got a couple great responses that aired during 2008's Pod Madness tournament, one from TaniaZapata. Check out what she had to say about this controversial tradition then watch the pod: http://current.com/items/88835899_the_bullfight "The Bullfight" got a couple great responses that aired during 2008's Pod Madness tournament, one from TaniaZapata. Check out what sh... more
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Breast Ironing
The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast ironing'.
In Cameroon where the practice is most widespread, 50% of adolescent girls in cities and a quarter of all girls nationwide have their breasts 'ironed,' often by their mothers.
The 'ritual' is performed by massaging the girls' chests with heated objects like stones, in order to reverse their pubescent development. The mums say it's driven by fear of unwanted male attention, rape and pre-marital pregnancies.
According to UNFPA, breast ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as abscesses, infections, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
Nevertheless breast ironing is widespread and interestingly, the high prevalence in cities attributed to the effects of urbanization.
In Cameroon, the Network of Aunties Association, RENATA, made up of members who have undergone the practice, is trying to stop breast ironing by drawing public attention to its dangers in radio and television spots and by disseminating leaflets. The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast ironing'.... more -
Sakura - Japanese Cherry Blossom Montage
Sakura - Japanese Cherry Blossoms have been a part of Japanese culture for over a thousand years. They're the subject of countless poems from waka to haiku.
This is a photo video montage of shots I've taken over the years in different locations of sakura in Japan. You'll see scenes from Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura, Himeji and few places you may not be aware of such as Ofuna and it's giant Kannon statue. I put in a few Japanese poems to go along with the photos.
The geisha are from the Miyako Odori which is an annual geisha pulbic dance performance in Gion.
Sakura - Japanese Cherry Blossoms have been a part of Japanese culture for over a thousand years. They're the subject of countless poe... more -
Japanese Golden Dragon Dance
The district of Asakusa in Tokyo goes back to the 7th Century when a pair of fishermen found a golden Buddhist statue in their nets. A Golden Dragon was said to have appeared in the sky to mark the auspicious event. Now every year, Asakusa celebrates the finding of the statue and the appearance of the Golden Dragon which propelled Asakusa into fame and fortune. The district of Asakusa in Tokyo goes back to the 7th Century when a pair of fishermen found a golden Buddhist statue in their nets. A... more
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The Body School
El Colegio del Cuerpo "the body school" is a contemporary dance
academy in Cartagena, Colombia. Many of the dancers come from
the city´s poorest slums. El Colegio del Cuerpo "the body school" is a contemporary dance academy in Cartagena, Colombia. Many of the dancers come from ... more -
Colombia´s Boxing dreams
In Cartagena, 7 out of 10 children live in poverty. Many are trying to punch their way into a better life.
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Even Cows Hate Springing Forward!
Cows can't deal with the Daylight Savings Time switch. They're accustomed to getting milked every 12 hours, and the switch means they don't have more time to make that milk. Less milk means less for farmers to sell, so it's bad for farmers. Now, WHY do we still do this?! Arizona, Hawai'i, Guam, and Samoa have the right idea on this one. Cows can't deal with the Daylight Savings Time switch. They're accustomed to getting milked every 12 hours, and the switch means they... more
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Bros (Basketball on the Rez)
Derek Antonio is from the Acoma Reservation in New Mexico and talks with his friends about the one thing that unites them... basketball. Derek Antonio is from the Acoma Reservation in New Mexico and talks with his friends about the one thing that unites them... basketbal... more
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Tradition
