An amalgamation of social customs, language, religion, clothing, and foods, culture can be equally alienating and inclusive. Cultural Parallels is dedicated to introducing readers to the ties that bind global traditions, in an effort to promote multicultural understanding. History shows that social influences can transcend national borders as a result of colonization or war, but cultures often share similar customs and beliefs without the provocation of any historic intersection. Cultural Parallels discovers inherent relationships between seemingly disparate peoples. Click the article titles below to learn more.
1. WOODEN EFFIGIES WITH AN INNER SPARK | July 7, 2015
Matching Yoruba Ere Ibeji statues, signifying the death of both twins. Photo credit: Pinterest.
Traditional Hopi Tribe Katsina Dolls, carved by Ernie Moore. Photo Credit: Collector’s Guide.
2. THE HUMAN CANVAS | July 14, 2015
Soga’imiti with pe’a tatau. Photo credit: Todd Hunter McGaw.
Mehndi applied to the hands. Photo credit: Google.
3. Tea for Two (Countries) | July 28, 2015
A demonstration of the Japanese tea ceremony. Photo credit: Our Camden.
A selection of sandwiches and desserts for Afternoon Tea. Photo credit: Hellen Grasso.
Matcha and Chasen. Photo credit: Farmers’ Almanac.
Palm Court at the Ritz London. Photo credit: The Ritz London.
4. What’s in a Name? | August 4, 2015
Leif Erikson, the historic Norse explorer. Photo credit: DK Find Out.
Pablo Ruiz Picasso is known by his maternal name since it is less common. Photo credit: Kübra Geyik.
5. YOU WOULD CRY TOO | August 11, 2015
Li xi, or lucky money, is given in red envelopes. Photo credit: Intead.
Little thimble cakes. Photo credit: Pinterest.
North Korean war veterans, tearing up. Photo credit: Daily Mail.
Drinks are on me! Photo credit: Daily Mail.
6. LIVING WITH THE DEAD | August 18, 2015
Two young Manila North Cemetery residents riding a bike beside stacked tombs. Photo credit: AP.
Bonhyang beads, made of cremated remains. Photo credit: NY Daily News.
7. MILITARY WOMEN AND MUSIC | September 9, 2015
Soldiers of the 33rd Caracal Battalion. 70% of the soldiers in this infantry combat battalion are women. Photo credit: Pinterest.
Female IDF soldiers carry their weapons everywhere off-base, as they can be imprisoned for losing them. Ein Fashka, the Dead Sea, Israel, 1989. Photo credit: Unknown.
A Miss Russian Army 2007 beauty pageant contestant. Photo credit: Toovia.
8. UNDER THE KNIFE: APPEARANCE AND WEALTH | September 15, 2015
Contestants in Brazil’s 2015 Miss Bum Bum competition. Photo credit: Splash News.
An ad for cosmetic surgery in South Korea. Photo credit: Business Insider.
Brazil has 5,500 certified cosmetic surgeons, as well as an additional 12,000 doctors performing procedures without requisite training. Photo credit: Voice of Mia.
9. LANDFILLS AND AIR POLLUTION | September 22, 2015
Less than 1 percent of Swedish household waste ends up in landfills. Photo credit: Sweden.se.
A young girl holding e-waste in the Guiyu, China landfill. Photo credit: Greenpeace.
The Smog Free Tower, conceived by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde and scientist Bob Ursem. Photo credit: Studio Roosegaarde.
10. WEARING ETHNICITY | October 6, 2015
Fashion mashup: batik and gingham. Though gingham is a type of plaid, it isn’t a Scottish pattern—it may have come from the Malay word genggang. Photo credit: Tumblr.
The canting tool used to lay wax on cloth during batik printmaking. Photo credit: Adwindo.
Traditional Highland tartan kilt and plaid costume on the Starz series Outlander. Photo credit: Starz.
11. HEAD WHERE THE HATS ARE | May 26, 2019
The Zulu isicholo (left) and Haredi shtreimel (right) both signify marital status. © Cassiopeia Neely
The Korean heungnip gat (left) and Dutch oorijzers (right) denote social status while offering practical functions. © Cassiopeia Neely
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