Exploring The Myths And Misconceptions About Africa

Myths and misconceptions about Africa are commonplace in the West. On a recent episode of the American tv reality series, "Amazing Race", one of the contestants exclaims, "There's no snow in Africa!". Well, in fact there is. This is just one example of the kinds of things many people think they know about Africa, but in fact have quite wrong. Below are ten of the most common myths I've heard over the years, and now you can help shed some light on what too many people still think of as the dark continent.

These Africa facts  will help you refute some erroneous descriptions of Africa and its people. The commonly held misconceptions can be widely categorised into geographical, Africa cultural, social and economical misconceptions.                                

     
Africa is a Desert

While there are a few deserts in Africa (like the Sahara Desert in the North and the Namib Desert in the Southwest of Africa), large parts of Africa, especially central Africa, are tropical rainforests. On high mountains, like Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, are subarctic conditions. Furthermore, large areas in Africa have savannah plains, which are similar to prairies. So Africa is definitely not just a desert.

Everyone Lives in a Jungle

Again, living situations might vary from place to place depending on the landscape, with some more isolated tribes, and they may live more closely to wild animals. But how is that any different from someone who lives out in the country who lives more closely to bears and mountain lions? We have beautiful cities in Africa where one does not need to worry about those animals unless they choose to go out looking for them.

Africa is Poor and Disease Ridden

Poverty is obviously something that will strike you as a visitor to many African countries. But African countries are not all poor. It's the distribution of wealth that's the biggest problem. South Africa is an incredibly wealthy country. In fact its GDP outranks that of Belgium and Sweden. It has many natural resources, a good education system, excellent universities, sparkling business districts and very advanced hospitals. Unfortunately much of its population does not get to share the wealth.

Africa Has No History

It's a common misconception that Africa has no history beyond its people scrabbling about trying to survive in a harsh environment. But consider the ancient Egyptian monuments, the rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia, the Fes medina, and you obviously have proof of Africa's rich history. In the 11th Century a flourishing kingdom we know now as Great Zimbabwe was built in southern Africa. Its walls are still standing today.

Most Popular Food Festivals Around The World

Food is almost always used in human celebrations, but sometimes food festival is the reason to celebrate! Whether you like trying new ethnic foods, fine wines, garlic ice cream or worm milkshakes, there’s a food festival somewhere in the world calling your name. Here are ten of the best!

Food festivals have certainly come a long way in the past couple of years. No longer are they sparsely attended fringe events popping up in hotel ballrooms. Festivals in the year 2013 have become star-studded affairs, complete with heady promises of once-in-a-lifetime meals and coveted VIP ticket packages that cost north. Food Festival Republic is here to point you towards the most exciting festivals of the new calendar year in the United States and overseas. Truffles and hot chicken even get their own celebrations. My, what a long way we have come.    

       
Baltic Herring Festival, Finland

Helsinki comes alive every year when the Baltic Herring festival around the corner. The annual fair attracts thousands of visitors to the capital’s South harbour. People flock in to taste as well as buy some of the best herring available to them. It one of those festivals where the price is very reasonable, for example, one carton of Baltic herring in a range of marinades could be purchased for a mere 5 Euros.

Hatch Chile Festival, Mexico

New Mexico’s Hatch Valley is known for its prolific production of spicy Hatch chiles, and these red firecrackers take center stage at this spicy celebration. Expect chile eating competitions, cook-offs, carnival rides and a huge assortment of spicy healthy food festival to sample.

Galway Oyster Festival: Ireland

Easily the most famous food festival of Ireland and also the oldest oyster festival in the world, Galway Oyster festival is known for vast platters of shellfish, pints of the famous Guiness beer and great live music. Started in September 1954 by Brian Collins, the festival includes beer as well as Oyster tasting which offers some great varieties of oyster. World Oyster Opening Championships and the ‘Elegant Lady’ competition are the highlights of the festival.

Grub Street Food Festival, New York

Grub Street Food Festival, New York A destination’s real flavours are always in its streetfood. From Colombian arepas to New York cheesecake, this festival is the trendiest way to experience the melting pot of the Big Apple.

Abergavenny Food Festival, United Kingdom

One of Wales’ biggest food festivals, Aber has over 150 stalls offering great local Welsh produce. Abergavenny food fest has everything ranging from great food on the event to master classes from chefs like Pierre Koffmann. Local pubs and restaurants come alive when the fest is around the corner as they offer special menu like home smoked garlic to Welsh Onion bread to a perfect martini! Along with the masterclass, there will be tutored tastings food talks with food critics and coveted chefs and guided walks to learn about harvest of field and hedgerow this year.

The History of Buddha Park in Vientiane

The Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan or Spirit City, is a collage of concrete moulded statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities and other bizarre figures, 25k outside of Vientiane, Laos. It’s a large collection of all shapes and sizes, a theme park of religious imagery but one that includes rabbits, insects, skulls and a giant pumpkin along with hundreds of other curiosities.

The main attractions of this park are the reclining Buddha and the giant pumpkin. This giant pumpkin is a 3 storey structure. The entrance to this structure is through a demon mouth. On each floor you have external galleries which consist of internal chambers. Theses internal chambers are filled with various statues. If you climb all the way up, you get a magnificent view of the entire park.                      

               
The Buddha Park as Xieng Khuan, which means 'Spirit City'. Forget the typical Buddha images seen in temples across Southeast Asia; the Buddha Park near Vientiane contains over 200 sometimes-menacing statues portraying Buddhist and Hindu lore.A 390-foot-long reclining Buddha is the crown jewel of the collection. The religious-themed statues are spread over a peaceful lawn and certainly capture the main attractions of all visitors.A three-story dome allows visitors to enter through the gaping mouth of a demon and then climb staircases through the dark, dusty structure from 'Hell' to 'Earth' and eventually emerging at 'Heaven' on top of the dome for a spectacular view of the park.

Buddha Park was built in the year 1958 by Bunleua Sulilat, a spiritual leader in turn sculptor who emigrated to Thailand during the Communist occupation. In Thailand, he created a park similar to the Buddha of Vientiane, Sala Kaew Ku Park Park.The Buddha Park is full of bizarre sculptures and constructions, all of them made in reinforced concrete. Some of these sculptures were built thanks to the donation of a benefactor, whose name was engraved on a plaque at the base of the work. Buddha Park not only there are sculptures of Buddha, but there are also anthropomorphic sculptures, animals, gods and demons.

According to the folklore, this park consists of a Savan, located at one end of the park, where the spirits of noble people are present. These spirits are considered to bring harmony to all. There are various statues of Buddha; Avalokiteshvara a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas and is portrayed in different cultures as either male or female. There are numerous sculptures of Buddha, and Hindu Gods and mythological figures including Shiva, Vishnu and Arjuna.

The best way to get to the Buddha Park is by local bus. Take bus number 14 at the Vientiane Central Bus Station just opposite the Morning Market. The buses leave every 15 minutes from 6:00 am until 3:45 pm and the last bus from the Buddha Park back to the city center is at 4:45 pm. The cost is 6,000 kip and takes about 45 minutes. Another means to visit the Park is to hire a Tuk Tuk. A two way trip that lasts half a day costs under 200,000 kip ($25 USD).

Most Popular Ancient Greek Temple of Zeus

The massive temple of Zeus, the most important building in the Altis, standing in its very centre, is the largest temple in the Peloponnese, considered by many to be the perfect example of Doric architecture. It was built by the Eleans from the spoils of the Triphylian war and dedicated to Zeus. Construction began c. 470 and was completed before 456 BC, when an inscribed block was let into the east gable to support a gold shield dedicated by the Spartans in commemoration of their victory at Tanagra. The architect was Libon of Elis; the sculptor of the pediments is unknown.

Built not as places of mass worship, but rather as homes for the deities, Ancient  Greek temples were symbols of a Ancient Greek city’s status, culture and achievement. Though the earliest ancient Greek temples would have been made of wood or mud brick, by around the 6th century BC the stone and marble structures which have come to epitomise these temples began to appear, with the best examples such as the Parthenon being built in the 5th century BC.

Ancient Greece, temples were not places of worship but monuments dedicated to the beloved gods and goddesses. Many important ancient greek temples are located in Greece and other countries, such as Italy, which were then part of the ancient Greek empire.                                      

   
Temple of Olympian

The Temple of Olympia Zeus in Athens it does not take much imagination to realize that this was one gigantic temple. Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD some 638 years after the project had begun.

Temple of Apollo Epicurius

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae is not the first to occupy the site artifacts have been discovered that date to the seventh century B.C., and votive offerings from far earlier it was completed a handful of years before the Parthenon, making it the oldest remaining temple from Classical Greece. Its isolated location at 3,710 feet above sea level on Mount Kotilion in the Peloponnese was instrumental in its preservation through the centuries; it simply would have been too much work to loot the temple's stone and use it to build new places of worship in developing population centers.

Temple of Hephaestus

The Temple of Hephaestus, dedicated to the god of metal-working and craftsmanship, is located in Athens, Greece. The temple was designed by Ictinus, one of the Parthenon’s architects. The Temple of Hephaestus is the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world.

Temple of Zeus at Cyrene

Cyrene was the most important monuments of the five Greek colonies in present-day Libya. High up from the rest of the city, lies the Temple of Zeus, dating back to the 5th century BC. It was destroyed during a Jewish rebellion in 115 AD, and was restored 5 years later by the Romans on order of Emperor Hadrian. In 365 AD an earthquake reduced the temple to rubble once more and it was not rebuilt until modern times by British and Italian archaeologists. This temple is larger than the Parthenon, a reflection of the wealth and importance of Cyrene in the ancient Greek world.

Most Popular Tourist Places in France

France is the world’s most popular tourist attractions France, a country with world-beating art and architecture. It is home to the Europe’s popular landmark the vertiginous Eiffel Tower. The Musee d’Orsay is home to impressionist and post-impressionist art while the Louvre Museum is home to several masterpieces, including the ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Aphrodite’, ‘Liberty leading the people’, etc. Visit the fairyland destination of Mont Saint-Michel or learn about the volcanic eruptions at Vulcania.

Palace of Versailles

One of the best known tourist attractions in France, few places better showcase the opulence and grandeur of the French monarchy better than the Palace of Versailles. There’s a huge amount to see here, from stunning architecture to fabulous furniture, art and antiques and of course the magnificent gardens. Audio headsets are available as are guided tours probably a good idea given the sheer scale of the place.

Louvre Museum

the former royal palace of French Kings, the Louvre is an incomparable museum that ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Many of Western Civilization's most famous works are found here including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture. The collection owes its wealth to the contributions of various kings who lived in the Louvre.

Loire Valley Châteaux

Traveling through the Loire Valley feels like turning the pages of a children's storybook. Throughout the enchanting countryside of woodlands and river valleys are fairy-tale castles complete with moats and turreted towers. The entire area of the Loire Valley, a lush area known as the "Garden of France," is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral, devoted to the Virgin Mary is one of the most beautiful churches in the world. It was inaugurated in 1260 and has been well preserved till today. The church has been a major pilgrimage tourist destination since the Early Middle Ages. Chartres Cathedral is highly praised for its sculpture, much celebrated stained glass as well as its high gothic style.

Musee d’Orsay

The Musee d’Orsay exhibiting the world’s famous art is constructed upon the site of the former Gare d’Orsay railway station. The museum is home to the world’s biggest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art. The exhibits at the museum are broadly categorized under six heads: Painting collection, Sculpture collection, Objects d’art collection, Photographic collection, Graphic arts collection, and Architecture.

Funny Facts About on South Africa

South Africa, Africa's southernmost nation, is also Africa's largest and most developed economy. Diamond and gold strikes in the late 19th century began transforming this land of African tribespeople, Boer farmers, and British traders into an industrial colossus. Today South Africa produces high tech equipment and is a world leader in the output of gold and diamonds. On South Africa's high grassland plateau, or veld, lies its premier city, Johannesburg (usually shortened to Jo'burg). Johannesburg and its satellite cities are home to more than 8 million people generating 9 percent of all economic activity in Africa.

South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. Exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and african culture offer the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. Here are the quick facts to get you started.South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by northern neighbours Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It encompasses the independent mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the warm Indian Ocean on the east giving the country its spectacular range of biodiversity.      

Geography

South Africa, on the continent's southern tip, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and by the Indian Ocean on the south and east. Its neighbors are Namibia in the northwest, Zimbabwe and Botswana in the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast. The kingdom of Lesotho forms an enclave within the southeast part of South Africa, which occupies an area nearly three times that of California.The southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas, located in the Western Cape Province about 100 mi (161 km) southeast of the Cape of Good Hope.

Economy

Economy A lesser known fact on South Africa Tribes is that it has achieved steady economic growth in gross domestic product (GDP) since the late 90s. The country, regarded as an emerging market, has a well developed financial sector and active stock exchange. Financial policies have focused on building solid macroeconomic structures. The country’s central bank is the Reserve Bank.

Tourism

Tourism Since the demise of apartheid, international tourist arrivals have surged, making tourism one of the fastest growing sectors. The tourism industry is well-established with an exciting sector of emerging entrepreneurs. The country is strong on adventure, sport, nature and wildlife travel and is a pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.

Education

The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a pioneer of tertiary distance education and is the largest correspondence university in the world, with 250,000 students. South Africa’s matric pass rate has improved from 49% in 1994 to 70% in 2004, but students receiving university exemptions have remained at 18%.
The first MBA program outside of the US was started by the University of Pretoria in 1949.

National Symbols

National Symbols of South Africa is a multi-lingual country and there are 11 official languages including: English, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1899, the Xhosa hymn 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika is South Africa's national anthem.

Top 5 Most Popular Fort of India

India is known for its historical grandeur which still subsists in forts and palaces across the country.ndia is a land of ancient forts and monuments,which describe its deep manifested past. Two forts in India are UNESCO world heritage sites the Agra fort and the Red fort. Forts and Palaces of India are the country’s treasured,present the magnamity of the Royal Kingdoms of India. Types of Ancient Indian Forts are Jal durg,Giri durg and Vana durg. Qila Mubarak a historical monument in Bathinda is the oldest surviving fort in India.

History has its pages written in the Forts of India. Forts of Indian present the magnamity of the Royal Kingdoms which India used to have. Today these stand as a reminder of the past and the Grandeur it had.There are a number of famous forts in India,while Rajasthan has the most number of forts, Some of the major forts of India are Hari Parbat Fort, Rohtasgarh Fort, Bekal Fort and Uparkot Fort.          

Jaisalmer Fort

One of the finest and well-maintained forts in India is the Jaisalmer Fort in Thar Desert in the State of Rajasthan. We can say that Rajasthan is the fort capital of India, if we look at the total number of forts in the country. The forts of Rajasthan are in very good condition and are the prime tourist locations for people visiting India and Rajasthan. The massive yellow sandstone structure is tawny lion color during the day and turns honey-gold as the sun sets. This transition of color camouflages the fort making it appear a part of the great That desert which is why it is also known as the Golden Fort.

Chittaurgarh Fort

Chittaurgarh Fort is the largest fort of India and the grandest in the state of Rajasthan. It is situated on the left bank of the Berach river. It is also called as Water Fort, The fort had 84 water bodies inside, out of which only about 22 exist today. This living testimony represent the bravery of Maharana Pratap Singh and the great Rajput rulers of Rajasthan.

Red Fort

One would usually not think of the Delhi based Red Fort as one the fort and famous destinations, but its significance in history and the current status of one the sight-seeing spots in the capital, ensures that it makes the cut. The fort is also known as Lal Qila and is situated in the heart of the old city, overlooking the charmingly chaotic streets of Delhi with rickshaws, busy shoppers at Chandi Chowk and the largest bird hospital of Asia.

Golconda fort

The famous Golconda fort located at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, built by Kakatiya kings. The heritage monument is known for its rich history and a majestic and imposing grand structure. Golkonda was once renowned for the Magnificent diamonds found on the south-east at Kollur Mine near Kollur lake. The awesome Golconda Fort is famous for its military architecture and One of the most wonderful monuments in India.

Agra Fort

Built during the reign of Emperor Akbar the Great, Agra Fort is considered the most important fort in the whole of India. Although the history of Agra goes back 2,500 years, it wasn’t until the famous Mughal ruler came to power, that Agra became a city of great importance.

Top Most Valentine's Day Resorts in Rome

Valentine's Day Resorts, Rome proves to be one of the most favorite destination in Italy. So why not spend this romantic day in an unusual, original, charming way! Let’s start our Valentine's Day Resorts tour from RomanticaMente Festival at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, where you can enjoy a cultural journey on critical historical nature of feelings.

Cuisine too will be the star of this original Festival through its Love Menu by the Masterchef Spyros Theoridis. You can avail of this opportunity to visit this beautiful modern building made by one of the world's greatest contemporary architects, Renzo Piano, designer of this temple of the contemporary culture of the city of Rome. You can take advantage of guided tours or simply visit to the Auditorium Arte’s temporary exhibitions.most enamored couples may want to take advantage of a little alone time. If you are Looking for that special place to celebrate Valentine’s Day Resorts this year then go to the holy and romantic region of rome.

Medici Hotel & Resort

The Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici Hotel & Resort is located in the most vital financial and commercial area of the Capital, at the centre of a strategic point that includes the congress and business district of EUR, the New Roman Trade Fair, Fiumicino and Ciampino International Airports, while the city centre and the most important shopping centres are just a few kilometres away.Sheraton Golf Rome Luxury Hotel offers a welcoming connection with comfort, pleasure and relaxation, whether you are on a business trip or on vacation.

UNA Hotel Roma

UNA Hotel Roma is located in the heart of the capital, near the Fori Romani, the Colosseum and at walking distance from Termini Train Station. The 4 star hotel’s architectural style takes inspiration from the Art Deco, and the terrace at the top of the sixth floor offers a splendid view over the roofs of Rome, the Vatican, and the Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral. UNA Hotel Roma is an ideal structure for businessmen and for those who want to visit the city.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Celebrate this Valentine's Day at a Millennium Hotels and Resorts location in the US. We'll take care of the details while you focus on your love. Whether you want Eskimo kissing in Anchorage, fireside snuggling in Boston, shopping with your honey in Chicago or soaking up some sun in Scottsdale - there's a romantic spot waiting for you across America.

Pocono Palace Resort

Pocono Palace Resort is close to Shawnee Gallery, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, and Terra Greens Golf Club. Additional area attractions include Great Bear Golf Club and East Stroudsburg University.All inclusive and room-only rates are available at this resort. All-inclusive rates include meals and beverages at onsite restaurants. Charges may apply for dining at some restaurants, special dinners and dishes, some beverages, and other amenities.

The Great French Traditions For Valentine’s Day

As you get to know French Traditions culture better, you might wonder what the customs and history of French Traditions Valentine's Day are. Actually, you might be surprised to find out that Valentine's Day might possibly have started in France.Valentine’s Day is, for many people, the most romantic day of the year, a time at which couples all over the world celebrate the wonder of love by collectively spending millions of dollars, euros, pounds and other currencies on Valentine’s gifts. Many countries have their own particular traditions and customs on February 14 and here’s a selection.

The French Traditions like to think of themselves as the most romantic people in the world.the French have taken to their love for their own cuisine; restaurants famously do a roaring trade on February 14, a day also considered the best time for a marriage proposal.It’s been said that the first Valentine’s Day card originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his life while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. Today, Valentine’s Day cards remain a popular tradition in France and around the world.

The origin of the Valentine’s Day is believed to have a strong connection with France. All over France and England, there was a popular notion that the members of the avian species start the process of mating around the middle of the second month of the year. It was for this very reason that lovers all over the region started exchanging romantic notes around this time, as they began to consider it as an auspicious period.

History of Valentine's Day in France

History of Valentine's Day Festival has a strong association with France. It is said that during the Middle Ages, there was a popular belief in France and England that birds began to mate halfway through the second month of the year. For this reason lovers saw the day special and considered it auspicious to exchange love letters and tokens of love on Valentine's Day. During fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, French Traditions and English poets and litterateurs too stressed on this idea and created a romantic image of the day in the minds of the people.Valentine's Day Cards too are said to have originated in France.

Valentine's Day Traditions in France

A French Traditions Valentine's Day custom that is now illegal is the "une loterie d'amour," which was eventually banned by the French government because its practice got too uncontrollable.During "une loterie d'amour," single men and women would enter houses that faced opposite each other and call to one another until they had paired off. If a man was not particularly happy with his chosen partner, he would simply leave the undesirable match for another woman.

Today, the French Traditions celebrate Valentine's Day like people in many other countries by exchanging cards, small gifts, and words of affection. Fresh flowers are also a popular item to send or receive on this holiday guide.It is said that the first modern Valentine's Day card was sent by a Frenchmen. Supposedly, Charles the Duke of Orleans sent the first modern Valentine's Day card, along with poems and other love letters, to his wife from his cell in the Tower of London after being captured by the British at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Cultural Beliefs of The Afar African Tribe

The Cultural Beliefs Afar people inhabit the Horn of Africa Tribe are and are concentrated in Ethiopia and areas of Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia. They are a nomadic people who eke out a living in a rocky, arid enviroment. They also inhabit the Awash Valley and the forests of northern Djibouti. The popuulation totals about 3 million people. They speak Afar. Their lives are built around the livestock they heard, goats, camels, and sometimes cattle. Religion also plays an important part of their lives.

Most Afars converted to Islam (10th century). There are also a few Christians. Afar clothing is an interesting blend of Arab and African people influences. The women perhaps reflecting the prevalence of Islam traditionally wear head scarves, but go bare breasted.                                                                                

History The ancestors of the Afar Cultural Beliefs of  settled farm land in the Ethiopian highlands some time before AD 1000 and primarily raised livestock. Some time after this they began a gradual transition to a more nomadic lifestyle and moved to the area they currently occupy. Since then they have been involved in many conflicts with bordering african tribes and peoples.

Most of the Afar are nomads who herd sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. A man's wealth is measured by the size of his herds. Not all of the Afar are herdsmen. Many of those who work in the Danakil Depression pry loose slabs of solid salt during the dry season, supplying ready-to-use salt in the form of crude blocks. Some of them live in apartment buildings in the country's capitol city, Addis Ababa. They remain there year round and work in government jobs such as the Afar broadcasts of the Ethiopian radio station.

Early in their history, the Afar were heavily influenced by the Islamic religion; and today, Islam is still held in great esteem. The people do not eat pork and rarely drink alcohol. Those who can afford to do so, make a pilgrimage to Mecca. In addition, many pre-Islamic cultural beliefs and customs are also prevalent among the Afar. They believe that certain trees and groves have sacred powers. They also have various religious rites such as anointing their bodies with ghee (a type of butter). Spirits of the dead are believed to be very powerful, and a "feast of the dead," called Rabena, is celebrated each year. They also give annual offerings to the sea to ensure safety for their villages. Many people wear protective leather amulets that contain herbs and verses from the Koran.

Religious Beliefs Due to the Islamic influence on their culture, most culture of the Afar people are practicing Sunni Muslims, although this cultural belief system is also influenced by an ancient, pre-Islamic religion of worshipping a sky god called Wak. Even with these strong ancient Cushitic religious influences, Afars don't eat pork, drink little alcohol and those who can afford to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Afar Circumcision practice circumcision for both males and females. To circumcise the women, they sew together the vulva, which is also practised by some Bantu and other Cushites. Boys are circumcised during their coming of age when they become men.

Trinidad And Tobago Winter Carnival 2015

One of the most significant and beautiful carnivals of the Caribbean is definitely the annual carnival of Trinidad. The preparations start long before the carnival's start. The carnival is a happy folklore event, but beside, it is a competitive event. Various groups compete on the first place in various categories like; the queen of the carnival 2015, the Calypsos and Soca queens and kings.

Enjoy the pulsating rhythms of the Steelpan at Panorama; the Calypso Monarch and King & Queen Costumes during Dimanche Gras; Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch on Fantastic Friday; J’Ouvert and the Blue Devils; Playing Mas; Carnival 2015 Road March and Fetes galore.    

               
Carnival season is party season, and in Trinidad it begins many months in advance. There are mas band launches, large fêtes, and calypso tents where contenders for the Calypso Monarch crown perform nightly. No carnival would be complete without the various competitions that highlight the thought, skill and creativity on which each component of the festival is based. After weeks of intense preparation, steelbands deliver their best interpretations of leading party tunes and custom-made pan songs at the Panorama finals.

Carnival 2015 Dates Trinidad and Tobago's Winter annual Carnival festival the biggest and best in the Caribbean, and one of the top public celebrations in the world varies from year to year depending upon the Lenten calendar. Here are the 2015-2020 dates for Trinidad's and Tobago's Winter Carnival 2015 or at least Carnival Monday and Tuesday, the "official" celebration days, although the party always starts at least the previous Friday. 2015: Feb. 16-17.

The purpose of this group is to meet other people who have a similar interest in checking out Trinidad's Carnival 2015.  The summer is quickly approaching and reservations need to be made.  The cost of everything increases, and the availability of costumes and accomodations decreases the closer we get to the end of the year.If you've heard about it from someone who actually went, it's sooooo much fun…So maybe this is YOUR year to go! Let's meetup and see if we can assist each other in the preparation.

The J'Ouvert revelry clears and massive costumed bands of "Pretty Mas" players flood the street with riotous colour. A cast of thousands take to the street "jumping up" and "wining" (gyrating of the hips) to the sound of soca blaring from speakers piled on music trucks. The excitement is at fever pitch, but Carnival Monday is only a "warm-up" for Carnival Tuesday Brazilians culture.

Carnival Tuesday begins promptly at 8 a.m. Thousands of masqueraders are in full costume, ready and impatiently awaiting their chance to strut in front of the television cameras as bands cross the main judging points. Each band has its own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting aspects of the main theme.

Top 5 Most Beautiful Places to Visited in India

India is the hot favorite tourist destination in the world. Each year, million of tourists visit the country to see beautiful places to energize their lives. India has a lot of beautiful places where you for every tourist including religious traveller, business traveller, and others. India is also a popular destination for haunted tourism. In this article, we have compiled a list of the most visited places in India by number of tourists arriving.

India has an almost endless variety of cultures, landscapes, amazing monuments and places to explore. From the ancient ruins, fascinating religious structures, exotic cities and diverse landscape there is an endless collection of tourist attractions in India.                          

           
Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built between 1632 and 1653 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife. Called “a teardrop on the cheek of eternity” it is one of the masterpieces of Mughal architecture, and one of the great tourist attractions in India.

Jaisalmer 

Lying in the heart of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is a town in the state of Rajasthan, named after its founder Maharawal Jaisal Singh. Jaisalmer is sometimes called the "Golden City of India" because the yellow sand and the yellow sandstone used in every architecture of the city gives a yellowish-golden tinge to the city and its surrounding area, and is crowned by the Fort of Jaisalmer and its several ornate Jain temples.

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple, was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of Sikhs. It’s the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning "Holy Pool of Nectar", from the body of water around the Golden Temple. The exquisite Golden Temple attracts pilgrims from all over the world and the number of visitors it gets rivals that of the Taj Mahal! It looks particularly arresting at night when it’s beautifully place lit up, with its imposing gold dome illuminated.

Palolem

Palolem is the most southerly of Goa’s developed beaches and also one of the most beautiful place. It is a natural bay surrounded by lofty headlands on either sides, resulting in a calm, idyllic sea with a gently sloping bed. For those who believe a beach cannot be paradise without a decent selection of cheap restaurants and good hotels, a dose of nightlife and plenty of like-minded people Palolem is the place to be.

Kerala

The enchanting backwaters of Kerala, the mesmerizing waterfalls, the hill stations and the serene atmosphere make the state one of the most preferred tourist destinations. Kerala Backwaters comprises of a chain of lagoons and lakes which lies parallel to the Arabian Sea.

Facts About Bahá'í Temple of South America

The Bahá’í temple in Chile is one of eight projects from around the world that received an award or citation in the program this year.“For architects, it’s the award that recognizes designs that go in a new direction,” said Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects of Toronto.

The Bahá’i Temple of South America, situated in a seismic zone on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile, uses light for its spiritual and design inspiration. Its billowing, structurally robust form won a two phase international competition requesting a nine sided, domed structure with nine entries requirement for the design of Bahá’i Temples.                                                  

             
Designer's statement Light is the fundamental connecting force of the universe. The Bahá'í Temple of South American tour, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, employs both translucent stone and the newest glass technology as the means of generating and manifesting both the physiological and spiritual delights of natural light embodied in architecture.Set against the stirring background of the Andean mountain range, the new Bahá'í Temple is to be a crystallizing of light-as-expression, an evanescent structure of white alabaster and glass: a place of pure luminescence. During the day, it is the soft undulating alabaster and glass skin of the Bahá'í Temple which forms its outer expression.

The Bahá'í temple will be open to all without charge, and the services will include readings from the sacred temple of all the world's religions. At a time when many recent headline news stories, particularly from the Middle East, show the tremendous damage that occurs from acts of religious fanaticism and intolerance, it is also important, for the future of an increasingly globalizing world, to consider news stories that highlight the beneficial effects of religion at its best, inspiring people to nobler acts of service and inclusivity.

The Bahá’í temple Born out of an international competition with over 180 entries from 80 countries, the Bahá’í temple of South America is a nine-sided structure with nine entrances that symbolically welcome all people from all directions of the earth to join in prayer and meditation. Its form and materiality break new ground, drawing on the power of light as inspiration. Nine gracefully torqued wings of cast glass and translucent stone billow like sails, projecting a sublime, ethereal luminescence. Visually light, the building is structurally strong.

Baha’i Houses of Worship are distinctive buildings, open to everyone, where visitors can simply pray and meditate in a serene atmosphere, or at certain times listen to the holy scriptures of the world’s religions being recited and sung.An integral concept of each House of Worship is that they will, in due course, provide a spiritual center around which agencies and institutions of social, humanitarian, and educational service will be established for the surrounding population. When completed, the edifice in Santiago will be the eighth in a series of Baha’i Temple Houses of Worship, and the final one to be erected to serve an entire continent.

Brazilian Carnival Samba Parade

The samba parade held to celebrate the Rio Carnival is undoubtedly the biggest attraction on earth, with visitors from around the world flocking to Rio for a week of dancing, singing, and partying. To vibe with the rhythm of the samba parade the only place to be is the Rio Carnival.The Carnival is celebrated in just about every state in Brazil. While each celebration is exciting and wonderful, none of them can equal the amazing extravaganza that is the Carnival in Rio. In all likelihood, the quest to experience the Carnival once could turn out to be an annual habit for any tourist.

Samba Parade is the event where the city’s numerous Samba schools vie for the position of Grand Champion. Each Rio carnival Samba school practices their routine for months before the competition and during the samba parade they are judged on their performance, in a number of categories.

The parade starts at 9 p.m. and goes on until sunlight the next day, around 6-7 a.m. This samba parade marathon is more than a show  it's also a fierce competition. Each year a school is downgraded from special to access group, and vice versa. The year of 2011 is an exception. As there was a fire at Cidade do Samba Parade, none of the schools will be downgraded.

Each Samba Parade School represents an overall theme expressed through the dance, music, costumes, and floats. The costumes and floats are designed and created by the constituents of the school. Membership is not small some Samba Parade Schools have over 4000 members! Each performance takes over an hour as the school executes their routine on the runway of the Sambodrome.

Samba School by Parts Schools are divided into alas (wings or sections), with people wearing the same costumes. Abre-alas is the first group, limited to 15 people or less. They are in charge of greeting the audience, setting the mood, and introducing the theme. Choreographies are often quite elaborate, and may be performed by professional dancers.

Judging the Samba Schools is not an easy task. Professionals selected by the League of Samba Schools (LIESA) to judge the parade are seated throughout the Sambodrome. Harmony, synchronicity, costumes, music, mood, and movements are just some of the elements that contribute to the score of the school. The judges determine which are the six best schools and bestow these schools with the tribute of performing in the Winners Parade the Saturday following the Samba Parade.

There is no better way to get to the greatest party on earth than with our 12-night voyage to Carnival in Rio. Once there, experience the jubilation at the annual Samba Parade the climax of Carnival featuring a non-stop spectacle of joyous song, energetic dance and outrageous floats. More than 100 samba schools from all over Rio compete to perform in the Parade and only the 12 best make it.

The Ala das Baianas are the section of women who wear large circular traditional skirts. The women dance in the skirts by spinning in circles, creating a frenzy of applause and often a standing ovation. 

Most Popular Native Tribe of Africa

The native tribes of Africa are as varied as the lands they have roamed for millennia. Though the culture on the continent has evolved especially over the last two hundred years tribal influence remains a part of Africa. Though the separation between native tribes has lessened in recent years, a person's tribal affiliation remains a powerful source of pride.

This list includes over 7400 tribal names from Africa travel guide. It was compiled from various resources which include accounts left by early explorers missionaries and scholars, who themselves wrote in a number of different languages. For this reason,there are variants to tribal names many of which have changed over time. The list is by no means complete and there are certainly errors, but we hope you find it useful.      

         
Afar Native Tribe

The Afar people live primarily in Ethiopia and the areas of Eritrea,Djibouti,and Somaliacan in the Horn of Africa.Their land is mainly rocky and desert terrain. The Afar people also live in the Awash Valley and the forests located in northern Djibouti.There are approximately 3 million people that make up the Afar culture.There are only two hospitals in the region available to the Afar,the National Hospital and the Dubti Hospital.The Afar people in this area are usually found to be malnourished.Their diets consist mainly of bread and milk.There is no natural source of water for the Afar people.

Zulu Native Tribe

The Zulu of South Africa believe that they are descendants of a chief from the Congo region. They believe that everything happens for a reason as a result of an evil sorcery or offending of the spirits, this is why they interact with the spirits for their god Nkulunkulu does not get involved with the daily aspects of the human life. The Zulu code of dressing is complex as a result of their shields. The work of the women is to cultivate the land while men take care of the cows.

Dogon Native Tribe

The history of the Dogon Native Tribe of Africa. There are between 400,000 and 800,000 Dogon in a remote civilization in the central plateau region of Mali in Africa. The Dogon culture is known for its detailed, meaningful art and tribal culture customs,but the Dogon are mostly known for their ancient, accurate cosmology and the legends of their ancestors from Sirius.

Maasai Native Tribe

The Maasai live in the semi-arid Rift Valley region of Kenya and Tanzania. They own large herds of cattle, sheep and goats which they follow around seasonally in search of new grazing grounds and water sources. Traditionally the Maasai have always been a proud and independent native tribe. They did not cultivate the land and depend on a cash economy as many of those around them did, rather they lived off the blood, milk and meat that their cattle provided them.

Fang Native Tribe

The Fang were migratory. Today, this large group occupies a large swath of land across Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. They make a vast continuum of villages. Because the Fang were once itinerant, they carry the remains of their important dead in reliquary boxes with them and do not have instituted shrines. However, they have a strong cult, bieri, devoted to ancestor worship.