Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘Culture’
The Whirling Dervish
In the Whirling Dervish dance, dancers spinning incessantly, is done in devotion to Allah and the organic powers of the universe. The leader stands in the middle, representing the sun, while other members dance around him in imitation of the cycles of the planets.Their conical hat symbolizes the need to seal off one’s ego to connect to God and the universe, while the bellowing skirt represents a shroud and sky.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
The Mevlewi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a “dance” and musical ceremony known as the Sema, which involves whirling, from which the order acquired its nickname the Whirling Dervishes. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love towards “Perfection”. The Sema is credited to the Mevlewi founder, Rumi, who heard the dhikr “la elaha ella’llah” which filled him with happiness that he stretched out both arms and spun in a circle.
The Blue Mosque Intriguing Interiors
More popularly known as the Blue Mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul earned its name from the 20,000 handmade Iznik ceramic tiles that lines the interior of the mosque lower levels. Closer inspections reveals recycled tiles on the balcony from the Topkapi Place, different grades of Iznik ceramic tiles – an inflationary response from the artisan to counter the fixed tile prices by the Sultan, and ostrich eggs amongst golden and gem encrusted chandelier and lamp work to repel spiders!
Djamaa el Fna and Kautoubia Mosque
Famed for the Djamaa el Fna with its vibrant souk that displays a labyrinths of Moroccan craft and wares by day and a mesmerizing scene of life drama that unfolds by night, Marrakesh is a place that drives one’s senses into overdrive mode with its heady mix of sound and colours, pungent smells of goats and camels, lingering sensuous scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, and tantalizing tastes.
Ramadhan Djamma el Fna
Although the focus of Ramadhan – the Islamic month of fasting that involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, smoking and other vices between sunrise and sunset – is spiritual, many cultures place a surprising emphasis on food during this holy month. Likewise, with improved economic standings, throes of tourist and an unsatisfiable appetite, food stalls selling the traditional Harira – a cheap and hearty lentil and tomato soup – in Morocco’s famed souk is thining.
A Sustainable Future for Argan Oil and Widows
Known for their medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic properties, argan pits have been processed long before the Phoenicians arrived and continues to be in demand today. Processed by widows, divorcees and unmarried single mothers in the Little Atlas Region of Morocco the formation of women cooperatives that works within a biosphere protected in UNESCO, has given a renewed lease of life for both the women and Argan trees.
Mandi or Kinnauras? Greek Mythology or Evolution?
Ancient Greek myth and legend has it that the Mandi tribe that once lived in the historical kingdom located in the foothills of the Himalayas were a short-lived tribe of Indians who grew old and wrinkled almost as soon as they were born… was this woman geographically displaced or someone that has traveled through time?
The Snake Charmer and Flute Seller
Regardless of melody produced by the snake charmer’s pungi or the flute seller’s flute, the serpent that emerges from the dark creaves if its basket is not able to hear. Hence, snake charming is a practice of pretending to hypnotise a snake by playing an instrument and an art handed down by lineage of understanding the snakes natural attributes to create a performance.
Taj Mahal, the Crown Palace
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world that was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife – queen Mumtaz Mahal. Completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees, the Taj is an “elegy in marble” or some say an expression of a “dream.”
Make Haste for Iftar
Hadhrat Sahal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that the holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The people will remain prosperous so long as they hasten in breaking their fast (at the time of Iftaar).” ~ by Bukhari
Paal Kudam – Cleansing the Mind and Soul
A form of penance that is typically done by children and women, the offering of milk symbolizes the cleansing of mind and soul. However, to have their wishes fulfilled, devotees perform this paal kudam ritual for 3 consecutive years. Children who are not allowed to pierce their bodies before puberty carries the pot of milks in preparation of examinations, ward away evil and keep illness at bay.
Religion and Trance
People of varying faiths throughout the world are said to have experience a transcendence state from different perspectives with many textual references supporting such claims; ranging from the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34), the Torah (Genesis 6:4) to the Qu’ran (Verse 275).
Para Bhakti on Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai which falls in January or February in the Gregorian calendar. Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan – the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati – and the occasion in which Parvati ‘arms’ Murugan with a vel (lance) to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
Ramayana Dance
Ramayana has been expressed the world over via music, dance, painting, sculptures and plays. In Bali, fragments of the Ramayana have been incorporated into creative dance forms that are both accompanied by a musical band – gamelan, or that of human voices. The Ramayana told is as follows…
Sanghyang Exorcism Fire Dance
Lulled into trance by the chants, the ‘horse rider’ in Sanghyang Djaran’s movements and dance in and out of the smoldering pile of burning coconut husks is in sync with the rising and falling chorus of chants.
Kecak (ˈketʃak)
A form of Balinese music drama performed primarily by hundreds of men only in loin cloths, Kecak infuses peripheral cultural elements of the Balinese Sanghyung exorcism ritual and fragments of the epic Ramayana in 1930s to gain wider acceptance. Today Kecak is adapted and performed for tourists.
‘Ngaben’ Offerings – Balinese Cremation
Appearing to be more of a festival of conspicuous consumption than one that carries the air of sobriety of a typical funeral, offerings can extend to include whole suckling pigs, fabric, perfumery and even “afterlife helpers”, in addition to the little sculptures of coloured rice dough pinned on palm baskets, sate lilit and fruits.
Balinese Cremation for a Brahmana
The Balinese cremation or ‘ngaben’ is anything but a sombre event with hundreds of spectators, musicians and men carrying multi-tiered funeral pyre clowning around to confuse the soul from having any earthly attachments before it ascends to heaven upon the scattering of the ashes in the ocean. ‘Ngaben’ is the most expensive and extravagant rite of passage for any person.
‘Ngaben’ – A festival of conspicuous consumption
Appearing to be more of a festival of conspicuous consumption than one that carries the air of sobriety of a typical funeral, offerings can extend to include whole suckling pigs, fabric, perfumery and even “afterlife helpers”, in addition to the little sculptures of coloured rice dough pinned on palm baskets, sate lilit and fruits.
Odalan: Bali’s Temple Festivals
With temple festivals being celebrated on a new or full moon or every 210 days on an island with countless numbers of temples, there is literally a festival of some kind every day in Bali. Besides making offerings to the gods and demons, Odalan is a social event that entertains and keeps the community closer together.
Canang Sari for the Honoured ‘Guests’
With basic principles of Balinese Hinduism revolving around obtaining balance and harmony of all elements in life and afterlife; between spirits and mortals, and nature that surrounds them, the Balinese are driven to perform Canang Sari 3 times a day to show their gratitude to the one supreme spirit – sang hyang widhi wasa.
‘Ngaben’ – Bali Cremation
The Balinese cremation or ‘ngaben’ is anything but a sombre event with hundreds of spectators, musicians and men carrying multi-tiered funeral pyre clowning around to confuse the soul from having any earthly attachments before it ascends to heaven upon the scattering of the ashes in the ocean. ‘Ngaben’ is the most expensive and extravagant rite of passage for any person.
Domesticated Dromedary
The one hump camel – dromedary – have been domesticated from as far back as 4000 BC for its versatile usage that range from transportation, milk, dung, hair, skin and even meat by conquerors and nomadic pastroralists. Today, they are widely used in the tourism industry despite its ill-tempered temperament.
Dar Debbagh – Tannery Gate
The primitive tanning processes applied by the tanneries in Dar Debbagh uses a lot of water and generates large quantity of effluent that is detrimental to the waterways. However, steeped with legend, century old customs and a flourishing flow of tourism dollars, the practice that dates back to antiquity is unlikely to stop.