The Bridesmaids play an important role at weddings, in China. Do you know: Very often, the task of harassing the groom is not single-handedly taken by the bridesmaids. The groomsmen are also guilty of harassing their friend. As a measure of love and proof that the groom does truly love their friend, the bridesmaids create […]
Common name : Long-nosed monkey, Dutch monkey Scientific name : Nasalis larvatus Family : Cercopithecidae Native to : Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia Interesting fact : Its nose creates an ‘echo chamber’ which magnifies the calls made by the monkey, this attracts females and intimidate rivals. Conservation status : Endangered It has a prominent nose and
Cutting a chicken is a popular custom amongst the Daur people of China. Do you know: Sometimes many a chicken might have to be killed before the couple finds the ‘right one’. For the Daur people, it is customary for the bride and the groom to cut a chicken (rather than a cake) and inspect
Common name : Duck-billed Scientific name : Ornithorhynchus anatinus Family : Ornithorhynchidae Native to : Eastern Australia, including Tasmania Interesting fact : It is one of the few venomous mammals, the male platypus having a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom. Conservation status : Least Concern It has a dense, brown waterproof
In Fiji, it is a custom for a man to give the lady an unusual proposal gift. Do you know: In most cases, if the man does not find the wedding gift, he must wait to ask for his bride’s hand in marriage, until he finds one. The wedding custom in Fiji dictates that a
The Sapporo Snow Festival is a festival held in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Do you know: The festival began in 1950, when some school students displayed snow sculptures at OdoriPark. The festival in today’s day and age has become a wintertime wonderland for millions of spectators from all over the world. Sculptures, made of snow and
Common name : Pichiciego Scientific name : Chlamyphorus truncatus Family : Dasypodidae Native to : Argentina Interesting fact : They do not survive for more than 8 days in captivity. Conservation status : Threatened It ranges between 90-115 mm in length, excluding its tail, weighs less than a pound and has a 5-10 year’s life
Common name : Tamarin bicolore Scientific name : Saguinus bicolour Family : Callitrichidae Native to : A restricted area in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest of South America Interesting fact : Only the alpha female of the group breeds. Conservation status : Endangered It has a white chest and back, brown, tan or red hind legs
Holi is a festival celebrated amongst the Hindu population and is most prevalent in India. Do you know:Holi received its name as the ‘Festival of colours’ after Lord Krishna, who was known to play the pranks on village girls by drenching them with water and colours. Holi is a festival that not only marks the
The Foot Binding custom has been banned recently, but existed for a large part of China’s history. Do you know: Girls at a young age and even very often toddlers, were subject to this custom. The Foot Binding started as early as 700 AD in China, where small feet were considered a sign of beauty
There is a custom in Japan where children are asked to Hold their Stomachs or Belly Buttons when during a storm. Do you know: According to Japanese customs, the god of Thunder and Storms is said to sleep in the Belly Buttons of children. This custom evolved from stories where Raijin, the god of Thunder,
Pointing with the Thumb is a general custom in Indonesia. Do you know: People in Indonesia consider it rude and impolite to point with the index finger. The members of both the Hindu and the Muslim faith in Indonesia, consider greeting or using the left hand for social custom unclean and improper. More importantly, if
Krampusnacht or Krampus Night iscustom in many parts of Europe. Do you know: According to folklore,while Saint Nicholas would reward the good, Krampus would come to punish the misbehaved. Krampusnacht is the evening of December 5, a day before the Feast of Saint Nicholas, when a horned half-goat, half-demon figure is said to roam the
Common name : Mawmag Scientific name : Carlito syrichta Family : Tarsiidae Native to : Philippines Interesting fact : Named after the ankle bone ‘tarsus’. Conservation status : Near Threatened The Philippine tarsier measures about 85-160 mm in height and weighs between 80-160 gm. It has thin, rough fur which is coloured grey to dark
The Battle of Oranges is actually a festival that takes place in Ivrea, Northern Italy. Do you know: This festival started out of a historical story where a miller’s daughter defended her dignity against an evil duke. As the story goes, the townspeople stormed the Duke’s palace and burned it down. The participants are divided