Coming of age in the Philippines
A girl's "debut" at 18, young boys undergoing circumcision, and graduating from college are some of the rites of passage in the archipelagic nation.
Korean dictionary manuscripts, Naebang-gasa in bid for UNESCO listing
Naebang-gasa, which translates to “songs from the women’s quarters,” is a unique body of handwritten vernacular literature composed, copied and shared among Korean women.
Paper-eating insect spreading to museums, libraries across Japan, putting valuable cultural properties at risk
Their population can increase quickly, making extermination very challenging once the insect has a foothold in an area.
Photographing Muslim women: How Bangladeshi poet Sufia Kamal broke the camera taboo
In such a restrictive era, Sufia Kamal defied the frowns of a conservative society and had her portrait taken in a studio. The photograph was taken at the famous C. Guha Studio in…
Thousands throng Kathmandu temple for Hindu ritual Bala Chaturdashi
Hindu worshippers observed rituals on Wednesday, offering grains and lighting lamps in memory of their deceased family members at the Pashupatinath temple.
Sacred belief behind termite mounds in Thailand
Historically, Thai people believed termites were connected to spiritual forces, with their nests acting as symbols of wealth and prosperity. The idea that tiny insects working…
DNA study reveals East-West exchanges over 2,000 years ago
The Central Asian lineage among the Imperial horses was most likely introduced to the Han court as precious gifts or trade goods through early East-West exchanges, one of the…
Ho Chi Minh City’s string puppetry lessons teach children Vietnamese culture, art
String puppetry, artist Tran Duoc explains, has deep roots in Vietnam. While the techniques used today are influenced by Western marionette traditions, he ensures that many of…
This, too, is Korean pop
Today, a new generation of artists is reimagining how Korean traditional music can speak to contemporary audiences.
South Korean president Kim Dae-jung’s Nobel medal, protester’s clothes recognised as heritage
The Korea Heritage Service announced Wednesday that the two items, representing Korea’s struggles and triumphs in modern history, are among 10 selected for the new designation,…