Stories about Culture
Indonesian presidential winner charms youth vote with dances, TikTok, and cats
The winner of Indonesia's presidential election courted the archipelago's youth vote with catchy music, TikTok dances, and photos of cats. However, some aren't forgetting his previous human rights abuses.
One man is trying to save a language in Bangladesh with only six native speakers
Currently, only six people, all aged over 60, can speak the ethnic Renmingtca language well. If they die, the language and culture will be lost from Bangladesh.
Climate crisis ruins Himalayan pastoralists
Winter droughts and delayed snowfall are impeding grass regrowth in high-altitude grazing sites in Nepal's Eastern Rukum district, endangering the local sheep population and forcing shepherds to leave profession.
Overcoming the patriarchy in India's caste system: Minal's story
"I don't believe feminism should strive for matriarchy, which doesn't translate to equality, but for the equal acceptance of everyone as human beings, regardless of gender."
A deep dive into the musical repertoire of Turkmenistan’s national leader
A major part of Berdimukhamedov’s personality cult has been his musical career.
Flying fish and bearded fig trees are on the decline in Barbados
Flying fish landings have reportedly decreased by almost 50 percent since 2011, and without strategic conservation measures, Barbados could see the bearded fig tree disappear from the landscape.
Armenia and Azerbaijan: The most recent flare up puts peace prospects on the backburner
Whether these recent developments further derail prospects for peace depends on steps taken in the coming months. For now, peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is hanging by a thread.
Latin America's newest export: Narcoculture
How much truth is there in pop culture romanticizing or even glorifying drug dealers? Where does freedom of expression end and apology for crime begin?
For nomads in Mongolia, roaming is a sacred right
The Mongols say that this is why freedom is in their blood.
Palestinian writer Randa Jarrar dragged out of PEN America event for protesting
Palestinian American author Randa Jarrar was forcibly removed for disrupting ceasefire opponent Mayim Bialik by reading the names of Palestinian writers killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
A platform tries to map the reduction of artistic freedom in Brazil
The idea arose following the boycott and closure of the Queermuseu exhibition in 2017 in Porto Alegrel. On social networks, conservative groups protested against the exhibition.
Pakistan’s political landscape: What to expect from the 2024 elections
On February 8, 2024, over 128 million Pakistani voters are scheduled to vote in a crucial election that has been marred by political repression and judicial harassment against the main opposition.
Tajikistan’s president’s son is the man behind the national football team’s success at the Asian Cup
The national team’s heroics will breathe confidence and optimism into everyone implementing the national football development program called “Orzu-2026” (Dream-2026).
Portraits of exile: Musical resistance to oppression from Iranian singer Faravaz
Faravaz defied borders and societal norms, moving from early recognition in Iran to facing backlash, exile, and activism in Germany. Her journey is a testament to the resilience of Iranian women against oppression.
How Rwanda's literary giants promoted their country's rich culture through their work
Alexis Kagame, the first and last Rwandan intellectual with direct access to the original sources of the country's history, contributed significantly to preserving oral history, and the indigenous language, Kinyarwanda.
What a Messi! Hong Kong disappointed by Messi’s no show in Miami CF’s friendly against local
On social media, many Hongkongers slammed the football exhibition as the “scam of the century” and questioned the Hong Kong government’s sponsorship decision.
The battle of Bashkir people: Why the largest protests in wartime Russia happened in Bashkortostan
"Russia is stepping on ethnic rakes. The Bashkirs have their own land. At the heart of everything that happened is a word that is now distorted — patriotism."
‘The bass is the backbone': Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, bass player for Jamaica's iconic ‘Wailers’ band, passes away at 77
"[T]he world lost not just an iconic musician and the backbone of The Wailers but a remarkable human being whose legacy is as immense as his talent."
In Kazakhstan, ‘Bloody January’ is still a taboo topic
"The authorities do not need to dwell on this topic, because why would they? They killed people, tortured them — why [would they revisit this]?"
Ghanaians’ reactions to the UK loaning back treasures it looted from them
"... a staggering 90 percent of African cultural property is currently housed in European museums. Calls for the repatriation of these stolen artifacts displayed in Western museums have intensified ..."
Could the Caribbean bridge the gap between culture and sustainability?
Tobago’s thriving culture, which includes farming and food festivals, is one example of the intersection of creative industries and concepts of sustainability like eating local and growing one’s own food.