Since they have no country, the most important part of a Hmong person’s identity is their clan, or xeem. There are about 18 major clans—like the Vang, Lee, Her, and Xiong—and your clan is your family, no matter where you are in the world. It’s a global network...
To understand how Greeks see the world, you need to know two words that have no single, perfect translation. They are the core of the national character. Philotimo (φιλότιμο): This is perhaps the most important Greek concept. It’s a complex blend of personal...
The most powerful, direct link between Coptic culture and Ancient Egypt is the Coptic language. It is the final stage of the ancient Egyptian language. The same language that was once written in hieroglyphs was eventually written using the Greek alphabet, with a few...
Picture the rugged coastlines of Ireland and the misty highlands of Scotland. There’s a certain magic that clings to these lands, a feeling that the ancient world is just beneath the surface. This is the heartland of the Celtic culture, a family of traditions linked...
Across the mountains, deserts, and coastlines of North Africa, from the Siwa Oasis here in Egypt to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, lives a people with a history stretching back millennia. They are often known to the world as Berbers, but that’s a name given...
When we think of Japan, a very specific image often comes to mind. But the story of Japan is more complex and diverse than many realize. In the wild, snowy north of the country, on the island of Hokkaido and beyond, is the homeland of Japan’s indigenous people....
