world's cultures face

brazil

2011-06-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

Brazilian culture is flourished with great literature, arts, music and sumptuous, flavorful cuisines. Brazil is well-known for its spectacular street parade during the Carnival.

Costume is an integral part of the culture of any country. Each country has its unique traditional clothing, which represents its cultural and social status. The type of costume is determined on the basis of climatic conditions, traditions, ethnic groups and migrations.

Brazil is a large country with diverse climatic conditions in different regions. Hence, the traditional clothing of Brazil varies from region to region.

In Brazil, graffiti is recognized as a widespread artistic form of self-expression. Graffiti allows artists to illustrate their soul to an unlimited audience to develop a sense of identity.
Through the convergence of several Brazilian artists, Sao Paulo has developed its own identity as an internationally known centre for inspiration in the graffiti subculture that engulfs the world.

Brazil is inspiring, astounding, amazing. It is one of the largest countries in the world, with vast cities of millions of inhabitants that defy the imagination.

tunis

2011-06-08T05:06:00.000-07:00

Tunisia is the northermost country in North Africa. Although relatively small compared to her neighbours, this country is incredibly unique and colourful. Romans, French and Arabs have the biggest influence on this Islamic nation, followed by the Carthaginians and Byzantines.

Tunisia has the charisma of the ancient civilization perfectly blended with modern European ideas thus making it a very liberal Islamic country.

The streets of Tunisia unfold the warm and friendly people who pride not only on their history but also lead their life with cosmopolitan standards. Witness the diversity in the culture while exploring.

History of Tunisia which dates back to more than 3,000 years enveloping many civilizations. The land of Tunisia though established by Phoenicians, was vandalized and colonized by a list of invaders like Romans, Spaniards, Arabs, Turks and the French. No wonder, the city has so many places of historical significance.

czech

2011-06-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

Czech Republic is a beautiful country in the heart of Europe that offers a wide range of historical and cultural sights, as well as nightlife, spas, castles and mountains. Food in Czech Republic is cheap and local beer and wines are of excellent quality. While the capital city Prague is the most important and famous travel destination in Czech Republic, there are also other historical cities, as well as great opportunities for numerous activities such as skiing, fishing and hiking in the rural parts of the country.

Central European country of Czech Republic is located in the heart of Europe, bordered by Poland, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. Once part of the socialist East Europe, it is now a member of European Union since the year 2004. Mostly hilly Czech Republic consists of the historical regions of Bohemia in the west and Moravia in the east. Czech Republic is a popular tourism destination and its capital Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe. The prominent tourism industry in Czech Republic employs more than 100,000 people.

Vlcnov -a beautiful village at the base of White Carpatian Mountains- is the best known for its famous folklore festival with Rite of Kings hold every year in May.

Czech Republic has one of the best traditional clothes and folklore in Europe.

Easter is traditional holiday in April. At Easter people eat sweet ram and also eat colored eggs. Boys and men knit a willow-whip (or willow-cane) and they flick girls and woman. Boys get a chocolate egg and some sweets. On Easter Jesus rose from the dead and people celebrate this.

spain

2011-06-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Spain has been influenced by several nations and several people in history and hence has a very diverse cultural heritage. Spanish culture originates from the Iberian, Celt Iberian, Latin, Visigothic, Roman Catholic, and Islamic cultures. Hence Spanish culture is nothing but European culture influenced by several other cultures.

It is - and has been for thousands of years - one of the cultural centers of Europe. It has beautiful cities and towns, offering really old monuments as well as futuristic architecture.

Its various regions are all different one to each other, geographically, climatically and even in personality. It is a fascinating country to know and to know more about it.

Widely known for Flamenco music and dance, bull-fights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine, Spain has to offer much more than that. Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art, and to be more exact a genuine Southern Spanish art.
It exists in three forms: Cante, the song, Baile, the dance, and Guitarra, guitar playing.

Bullfighting has been an object of ridicule by the animal lovers worldwide. It is reported that about 24,000 bulls face death each year in Spain during the season of bullfighting. But the sport of bullfighting has made its way in the culture of Spain since 711 AD. The first instance of bullfighting is reported to be held during the crowning of King Alfons VIII. The bull-rings are found at a gap of few yards throughout Spain.

A significant portion of Spanish cuisine derives from the Roman, Jewish and Arab traditions. The Moorish people were a strong influence in Spain for many centuries. However, pork is popular and for centuries eating pork was also a statement of Christian ethnicity or "cleanliness of blood", because it was not eaten by Jews or Muslims. Several native foods of the

Americas were introduced to Europe through Spain, and a modern Spanish cook could not do without potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and beans. These are some of the primary influences that have differentiated Spanish cuisine from Mediteranean cousine, of which Spanish cuisine shares many techniques and food items.

turkey

2011-06-06T15:03:00.000-07:00

cultural map of Turkey

The English word "Turkish" comes from the ancient Turkish word Türk , which can be used as an adjective or a proper noun. In Turkish, the name of the country is Türkiye.Which is founded after one of the biggest empire of the middle east, europe and africa; Ottoman Empire..May be because of this big empire the country has a really huge culture..Even now there are many diferent nations live together with their alive diferent cultures..I am going to just try to share some part of this huge culture, even if I want to explain all of this culture I cant do it on the internet :)) if you want to know that culture I can just say ' take it easy ' because it will take your years from your life.. So just try to learn something from my blog ha. !! That is the easiest way learn something..

old Ottoman house

Housing styles in small towns and villages are determined by tradition, family structure, environment, local building materials, and income. There is considerable variety in external appearance by region.
Most homes are divided in a selamlîk (a public reception room) and a harem (private family quarters). In traditional households, male guests are confined to the selamlîk , where they converse with the male members of the household, while women stay in the harem . Many traditional homes also have an enclosed garden or courtyard where females can perform some of their domestic duties and chat with neighbors.

a religional festival during Ottoman Empire

Ramazan Bayrami: Three-day festival when sweets are eaten to celebrate the end of the fast of Ramadan month. Also known as "Seker (sweets) Bayrami" since it's customary to offer candies to family members and friends that are visiting.
Kurban Bayrami: Four-day festival when sacrificial sheep are slaughtered and their meat distributed to the poor.
The dates of these religious festivals change according to the İslamic calender an thus occur 10-11 days (exact difference between Gregorian and Lunar calendars is 10 days and 21 hrs) earlier each year.

a turkish lady cook Gözleme

turkish dessert: Baklava

Turkey has a rich variety of cuisine that makes it worthwhile just to take a culinary tour of the country. You cannot identify one dominant Turkish food like the Italian pasta or the French sauce, but the Turks have perfected their cuisine to a fine craft that reflects their refinement of culture.

Turkey has a long repertoire of ancient recipes that were perfected by the chefs eager to please the Sultans. Turkish food is simple in presentation, its natural flavor not camouflaged by sauces; ever since the Ottomans passed laws to regulate freshness of food, leftovers are seldom found in Turkish homes.

It is said that travelers in Turkey, "come for the history but stay for the food". Make sure you carry home a Turkish food item like a Turkish Delight as a souvenir from Turkey.

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is coffee prepared by boiling finely powdered roast coffee beans in a pot (cezve), possibly with sugar, and serving it into a cup, where the dregs settle. The name describes the method of preparation, not the raw material; there is no special Turkish variety of the coffee bean.
CoffeeHouse culture was highly developed in the former Ottoman world, and this was the dominant style of preparation.

Turkish Delight

Turkish delight or lokum is a family of confection based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; the cheapest are mostly gel, generally flavored with rosewater, mastic, or lemon. The confection is often packaged and eaten in small cubes dusted with icing sugar,copra, or powdered cream of Tartar, to prevent clinging. Other common types include such flavors as cinnamon and mint. In the production process, soapwort may be used as an emulsifying additive.

Ebru Art

Turkish art refers to all works of visual art originating from the geographical area of what is present day Turkey since the arrival of the Turks in the Middle Ages.

a Turkish shadow play

Karagöz & Hacivat is a Turkish shadow play taking its name from its main character Karagöz. The origin of the shadow plays is accepted as southeastern part of Asia around Java. Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi says that the play was first performed at the Ottoman palaces in the late 14th century. Some others say that this play came into Anatolia after Yavuz Sultan Selim, who had conquered Egypt in 1517, had brought the shadow play artists to his court.

Ottoman Miniature or Turkish miniature was an art form in the Ottoman Empire, which can be linked to the Persian Miniature tradition, as well as strong Chinese artistic influences. It was a part of the Ottoman Book Arts together with illimunation(tezhip), calligraphy (hat), marbling paper (ebru) and bookbinding (cilt). The words taswir or nakish were used to define this art in Ottoman language. The studios the artists worked in were called Nakkashane.

an Ottoman miniatur

A Turkish bath (Hamam) is the Turkish variant of a steam bath, distinguished by a focus on water, as opposed to ambient steam.A person taking a Turkish bath first relaxes in a room (known as the warm room) that is heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air allowing the bather to perspire freely. Bathers may then move to an even hotter room (known as the hot room) before splashing themselves with cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to the cooling-room for a period of relaxation.

a turkish bath

a turkish tradition wedding night

an islamic tradition Sunnet

syria

2011-06-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

Culture is the system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning.Did you know that in the old Cities of Damascus and Aleppo ("medina qadima"), houses were deliberately built with a similar architecture so no one would notice neither social or class differences. This concept of keeping the Beauty inside without spraying out the richness is purely middle ages Mediterranean culture, also encountered in Seville, Spain.Is the system of artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning..

Hookas are the best ones in the Syria. You can find many colourfull of them and also it isgoo for fun..

Most of Syrian people are Muslim so their clothes are effected from İslam as well.. But it is really a nice when you see that kind of clothes on people..expecially women..

The Syrian Handicrafts industry is the perpetuation of a long-existing heritage in the making of textile material, kilims, glass, copper utensils and furniture with exquisite detailing.People have imprinted their stories, fears, passions and aspirations, expressed themselves through the complexity of the cloth or furniture graphics. The people of Syria have always found their salvation in the Handcraftsmanship, at home or at the workplace, and were the originators of the contemporary oriental art - a booming industry in the world of today.

Syrian house culture has diference around deserts.
it has a good view and it is really useful for people who live in deserts..

Syrian houses from the outside it is rather plain and defensive looking. Usually very long walls one solid big door and you can’t see anything of the inside..However one you get inside oh it is absolutely gorgeeous.

It is open at the top the houses and so once you come in you come to an open middle barxad sort of thing.Usually the have a fountain of the water and lots of greenery being grownlike lemons and tomatoes trees etc at the side-middle.The bedrooms are usually at the top and there is always a balcony and as soon as you leave the rooms you can see the middle part of the house. Anyways enough explaining pictures speakk valumes…

You can see that they use camel for their daily needs around country side in the Syria like some other Arab Countries..As you know it is the best animal for using around deserts..

Syrian cuisine is a diffusion of the cultures of civilizations that settled in Syria, particularly during and after the Islamic era beginning with the Arab Ummayad conquest, then the eventual Persian-influenced Abbasids and ending with the strong influences of Turkish cuisine, resulting from the coming of the Ottoman Turks. It is in many ways similar to other Levantine cuisines, mainly Lebanese and Palestinian.
The Syrian cuisine includes dishes like kibbeh, wara enab, hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, labneh, shawarma and many others... Arabic flat bread is always eaten together with meze. Syrians are also well-known for their cheese.Syrians also make cookies and ect..

Syrian breakfast foods are really delicious and u can find many diferent kinds...

Kebbeh is one of my favouritte Syrian food..You guys should taste it..There are many others I am sure you will like one or many of them ..

There are many desserts like Taj al-malek (King's crown)-Swar es-sett (Lady's wristlet)-Lisan asfour (Sparrow's tongue)- Mabrumeh-Balloriyyeh-Yabra'amoritz and many others...

iran

2011-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

With a long-standing and proud civilization, Persian culture is among the richest in the world. Two and a half millennia of inspiring literature, thousands of poets and writers, magnificent and impressive architecture, live customs dating back to Zoroastrians over 3000 years ago, and other unique characteristics of the nation are rivaled by only a few countries.

Throughout the history, this grand treasure of Persia was gradually transferred to eastern and western nations. Iran's significant contribution into the world civilization in many respects is indispensable. Many ceremonies of the ancient Persians are the basis of western celebrations.

Persia

An Iran City

a worker from Iran

By 1920 nomadic pastoral tribes were over a quarter of Iran's population. Tribal pastures were nationalized during the 1960s. The National Commission of UNESCO registered the population of Iran at 21 million in 1963, of whom two million (9.5%) were nomads. Although the nomadic population of Iran has dramatically decreased in the 20th century, Iran still has one of the largest nomadic populations in the world, an estimated 1.5 million in a country of about 70 million.

while Iranian Nomads go

Iranian Nomads

But the modern age is also invading the culture of nomads and eroding it slowly. As these photos show, nomads life is increasingly being influenced by technology and consumerism. Some nomads now use modern appliances for heating and cooking, trucks for hauling cargo and bicycles for children. They've also turned to satellite TV for entertainment instead of engaging in the traditional storytelling.

Iranian Nomad children class

while Iranian Nomads work

Traditional Persian residential architecture, is the architecture employed by builders and craftsmen in the cultural Greater Iran and the surrounding regions to construct vernacular houses. The art draws from various cultures and elements from both Islamic and pre-Islamic times.


a traditional Iranian house

Being situated on the edge of deserts and arid regions, Persian (Iranian) cities typically have hot summers, and cold, dry winters. Thus Iran’s traditional architecture is designed in proportion to its climatic conditions, and more than often, the unique fabled artistic background of Persia makes up for the seemingly lack of natural resources and beauty.

The existence of hundreds of traditional houses with handsome designs even today amidst ugly apartments in Iran's hasty modernization projects is testament to a deep heritage of Architecture.

an old iranian house which they use for hotel

Iran's old city fabric is composed of narrow winding streets called koocheh with high walls of adobe and brick, often roofed at various intervals. This form of urban design, which used to be commonplace in Iran, is an optimal form of desert architecture that minimizes desert expansion and the effects of dust storms. It also maximizes daytime shades, and insulates the “fabric” from severe winter temperatures.

koocheh

abyaneh street

Koochehs(streets) are narrow and zigzag in Iran...

some iranian food

Food in Iran is a fundamental part of Iranian heritage. Their ingredients reflect the geography of Iran, while the savor and colors accent the aesthetic tastes of Iranians. The cuisines are associated with so many social events -births, weddings, funerals; and many other ceremonies and rituals- that culinary traditions are intertwined with a country's history and religion.

Abgousht

padmicanlaf

Iranian food is a very important and integral part of Iranians' life and culture, so important that its ingredients are very frequently used as metaphors for describing beauty. For example: "Moon-faced beauties have almond-shaped eyes, peachy complexions, pistachio-like mouths, pomegranate colored lips, hazelnut-like noses, red apple cheeks, and lemon-like breasts."

persian cookies

an iranian traditional room

The dazzling beauty and excellent quality of Persian carpets are well known all over the world. Undisputedly , this traditional fine art has always been a central core of Iranian history and culture within the past few thousand years.

iranian carpets

iranian carpetsand some other stuff

they look awesome...

a İranian painting

a Persian miniatur

Oriental historian Basil Gray believes "Iran has offered a particularly unique [sic] art to the world which is excellent in its kind".
Caves in Iran's Lorestan province exhibit painted imagery of animals and hunting scenes. Some such as those in Fars Province and Sialk are at least 5,000 years old.

a Persian miniatur

a İranian miniatur

a ceramic built

Another eminent feature of Persian culture is art. In fact culture and art are two closely interwoven concepts forming the soul of human civilizations. Persian exquisite carpets, subtle soulful classic music, outstanding tile work of unique blue mosques, old influential architectural style and countless brilliant literary works are famous in the world.

blue mosque

ceramic on glass