Month: January 2020

Daruma Ichi (Daruma Doll Fair)

Daruma are papier-mâché tumbling dolls that are sold at doll markets held at various times throughout the year in Japan. Custom encourages people to buy dolls that have no eyes painted in. The doll owner makes a wish and gives the doll one eye; the other eye is painted in when the wish has been fulfilled. During the Daruma Ichi held in Takasaki (January 6-7), these dolls are sold in stalls erected on the grounds of shrines or temples. They are similar in shape to the famous Russian “nesting” dolls, and they are often made by farmers as a hobby and sold during the winter months. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Cartomancy

Cartomancy is a form of divination, or fortune-telling, involving playing cards. Cards made their way to Europe in the 14th century, probably from Egypt. By the 15th century, cards with allegorical illustrations, or tarots, began appearing in Europe. Divination using these cards is in evidence as early as 1540, but it appears that the cards themselves were only later assigned specific divinatory meanings. Clubs in cartomancy signify power and are associated with what fiery mythical creature? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Brood Parasites

Brood parasites are organisms—usually birds—that manipulate a host, either of the same or a different species, into raising their young. The parasitic parent avoids the effort of rearing young by abandoning its eggs in the nest of a host bird. After hatching, the parasitic nestlings may kill or crowd out the host’s own offspring. The host will often continue to feed and care for the invasive chicks even when they do not resemble its young and may physically dwarf the host itself. Why? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh

Born in 1666, Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Sikh gurus. He is best known for establishing the Khalsa, the spiritual brotherhood devoted to defending Sikhism, and for his teachings, such as that living with love, charity, and integrity was more important than observing religious rituals and that men and women are equal. His birthday is celebrated by Sikhs around the world. Festivities include a three-day-long, continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, processions, and the singing of sacred songs. Sporting contests and other games are also popular. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Maglev

Magnetic levitation, or maglev, is a method of supporting and propelling objects using magnets. Using the repellent force of superconductive magnets, vehicles, such as trains, may be suspended above a track or guideway. Continuously changing the polarity in alternate magnets causes a series of magnetic attractions and repulsions, which moves the vehicle along the track quickly and quietly. What is the highest recorded speed of a maglev train? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Carnival of Blacks and Whites

The Carnival of Blacks and Whites, held each year in Pasto, Colombia, is one of the oldest Carnival celebrations in South America. The Carnival officially opens on January 4 with a parade commemorating the arrival in Pasto of the Castañeda family, presented as a zany group that includes a pregnant teenaged bride and many misbehaving children. The following day is the Day of the Blacks. Using special paints and cosmetics, revelers paint themselves and their friends black. Festivities continue on January 6 with the Day of the Whites, in which white paints and cosmetics are used. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Inca Road System

One of the most remarkable examples of Inca engineering was their elaborate network of roads, parts of which survive today. Log, stone, pontoon, and suspension bridges were built to span streams, rivers, and chasms, and shelters and storehouses were spaced a day’s travel apart. These were maintained by nearby villages, which also supplied messengers for their sectors. Messages or parcels could thus be carried throughout the empire quite quickly, with runners able to cover what distance in a day? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary