Stories about Culture
4 February 2020
Nationalist, socialist, and now feminist: The many facets of Czech author Božena Němcová
February 4 marks the 200th anniversary of her birth. Over the past two centuries, Němcová has been remembered for different aspects of her life and work, usually picked to fit...
3 February 2020
The world of satire in Myanmar's comical profiles Facebook group
Facebook's community standards encourage users to use real identities on its platform, but a popular trend in Myanmar is likely baffling the social networking site.
1 February 2020
‘Mario Kart’ cosplay company crashes and burns after appealing Nintendo ruling
Patrons were encouraged to dress up in costumes provided by Maricart as characters from Nintendo's popular 'Mario Kart' series and 'race' around the city, but those days are over.
30 January 2020
Nigeria's Operation Àmò̩té̩kùn: Was it named after a leopard, cheetah or tiger?
Linguists who study Yorùbá have long taken issue with ascribing meaning of the word àmò̩té̩kùn interchangeably with the leopard, cheetah and tiger.
29 January 2020
Subdued recognition in Japan for Sugihara Chiune on 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation
As a diplomat in Lithuania in 1940, Sugihara issued 6,000 visas for Jews looking to flee to the Americas via Japan.
Africa's creative industries get a half-billion-dollar boost by big banks
“Because of underinvestment in the creative and cultural industries, Africa is largely absent in the global market of ideas, values and aesthetics," said Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank.
28 January 2020
From Cox's Bazar to Yangon, poets show solidarity with Rohingya minority in Myanmar
"Myanmar’s oppression dispersed our ethnic minorities, now our poetries bring us together."
27 January 2020
Red palm fruit flourishes in Côte d'Ivoire, despite national shortage
In the sprawling markets of Côte d'Ivoire, red palm oil is sold in open-air stands in recycled plastic bottles by women. The original red palm tree originates in West Africa.
25 January 2020
A sea of red: Celebrating the Chinese New Year
The 2020 Lunar New Year, which began at midnight on January 24, will last for several days.
23 January 2020
What's in a ‘Japanese Adult Cream Pie'?
"Didn't McDonald's Japan understand how bad it sounds in English?" was a common reaction. "What were they thinking?"
22 January 2020
Pakistani director halts release of award-winning film after receiving threats
"They are holding a film hostage for all the wrong reasons and there is nothing we can do about it."
Kazakh family of writers and musicians caught in the Xinjiang vortex
The Oralbai family had a happy and productive life in China before a state purge targeting ethnic minorities tore them apart.
21 January 2020
Yorùbá loanwords: How languages evolve
Using Yorùbá words in their original forms helps ensure that culture — kept alive through language — continues to thrive.
Redemption Song: My journey to marijuana activism
"Ganja has been a source of inspiration, meditation and medication on my journey as a mixed-race, working-class Caribbean woman trying to make a way in this capitalist world."
20 January 2020
Facebook apologizes for translating Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s name as ‘Mr. Shithole’
"And the president of China, Mr. Shithole, signed a guest record of the house of representatives."
Restoration of Trinidad and Tobago's heritage buildings stirs debate
The restoration of heritage buildings in Trinidad and Tobago has sparked a national conversation on whether this is the best use of public funds.
Baul singer Shariat Sarkar arrested in Bangladesh for ‘insulting’ Islam
Baul singer Shariat Sarkar is accused of making comments which hurt the “religious sentiment” of Muslims. He says that there is no evidence forbidding music in Islam.
19 January 2020
Zanzibar says goodbye to legendary ‘king of kidumbak,’ musician Makame Faki
Legendary Zanzibari musician Makame Faki Makame has died at the age of 77. He was hailed as the king of kidumbak and a master of taarab, Zanzibar's "national sound."
Residents flee as Philippines’ smallest active volcano emits smoke and ash
Over 30,000 are estimated to be affected and displaced from Batangas and Cavite provinces because of the volcanic eruption
