Customs of India

Taarof

Taarof is the Iranian practice of performing a gesture of respect and deference, although it is
generally understood that such a gesture should be refused. For example, in some establishments,
it is considered polite for the shopkeeper to refuse payment from a customer of a higher social
rank. The customer understands, however, that the proper response is to insist upon paying. The
shopkeeper may refuse payment several times before allowing the customer to convince him to
accept. This practice can be very confusing to hapless foreign shoppers.

Traditions
Wedding rituals

Hindu wedding ritual in progress. The bride and the groom are seated together, receiving
instructions from the priest. The sacred square fire container (yajna kund) is behind the
priest.Weddings are festive occasions in India with extensive decorations, colors, music, dance,
costumes and rituals that depend on the religion of the bride and the groom, as well as their
preferences.[51] The nation celebrates about 10 million weddings per year,[52] of which over 80%
are Hindu weddings.While there are many festival-related rituals in Hinduism, vivaha (wedding)
is the most extensive personal ritual an adult Hindu undertakes in his or her life.[53][54] Typical
Hindu families spend significant effort and financial resources to prepare and celebrate weddings.
The rituals and process of a Hindu wedding vary depending on region of India, local adaptations,
resources of the family and preferences of the bride and the groom.
 Customs and Traditions of some parts of Indonesia and Malaysia

Mano Po

Pagmamano is a gesture that symbolizes respect for ones elders. It is akin to bowing, with the
addition of taking an elders hand and pressing it to ones forehead. The practice is predominantly
found in the Philippines and some parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. It is said to have been borrowed
from the Chinese centuries ago, when Filipinos began to acclimate to the culture of travelers and
merchants. It is quite common at family gatherings to instruct children to ask for a blessing in this
manner from their elder relatives.

Dance

Indonesian dance reflects the diversity of culture from ethnic groups that composed the nation of
Indonesia. Austronesian roots and Melanesian tribal dance forms are visible, and influences
ranging from neighbouring Asian countries; such as India, China, and Middle East to European
western styles through colonisation. Each ethnic group has their own distinct dances; makes total
dances in Indonesia are more than 3000 Indonesian original dances. However, the dances of
Indonesia can be divided into three eras; the Prehistoric Era, the Hindu/Buddhist Era and the Era
of Islam, and into two genres; court dance and folk dance.
 Customs and Traditions of Japan

Painting

Painting has been an art in Japan for a very long time: the brush is a traditional writing and painting
tool, and the extension of that to its use as an artist's tool was probably natural. Japanese painters
are often categorized by what they painted, as most of them constrained themselves solely to
subjects such as animals, landscapes, or figures. Chinese papermaking was introduced to Japan
around the 7th century. Later, washi was developed from it. Native Japanese painting techniques
are still in use today, as well as techniques adopted from continental Asia and from the West.
Schools of painting such as the Kano school of the 16th century became known for their bold brush
strokes and contrast between light and dark, especially after Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu
began to use this style. Famous Japanese painters include Kan Sanraku, Maruyama kyo, and
Tani Bunch.

Traditional clothing

Traditional Japanese clothing distinguishes Japan from all other countries around the world. The
Japanese word kimono means "something one wears" and they are the traditional garments of
Japan. Originally, the word kimono was used for all types of clothing, but eventually, it came to
refer specifically to the full-length garment also known as the naga-gi, meaning "long-wear", that
is still worn today on special occasions by women, men, and children. The earliest kimonos were
heavily influenced by traditional Han Chinese clothing, known today as hanfu (, kanfuku in
Japanese), through Japanese embassies to China which resulted in extensive Chinese culture
adoptions by Japan, as early as the 5th century AD.[10] It was during the 8th century, however, that
Chinese fashions came into style among the Japanese, and the overlapping collar became
particularly women's fashion.[10] Kimono in this meaning plus all other items of traditional
Japanese clothing is known collectively as wafuku which means "Japanese clothes" as opposed to
yofuku (Western-style clothing). Kimonos come in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. Men
mainly wear darker or more muted colors, while women tend to wear brighter colors and pastels,
and, especially for younger women, often with complicated abstract or floral patterns.
 Customs and Traditions of Denmark

Painting

Danish painting goes back hundreds of years. Earlier work is often manifested in churches, for
example in the form of frescos such as those from the 16th-century artist known as the Elmelunde
Master. But it was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the Golden Age of Danish
Painting emerged with a marked increase in truly Danish art inspired by the country itself with its
lifestyle and traditions. Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg was an important influence on the
following generations study of nature, in which landscape painting came to the fore. He had many
successful students, including Wilhelm Bendz (18041832), Christen Kbke (181048), Martinus
Rrbye (18031848), Constantin Hansen (18041880), Jrgen Roed (18081888), Wilhelm
Marstrand (18101873), C. A. Jensen (17921870), J. Th. Lundbye (18181848), and P. C.
Skovgaard (18171875).

Folklore

Danish folklore is made up of folk tales, legends, songs, music, dancing, popular beliefs and
traditions, mostly communicated by the inhabitants of towns and villages across the country. Many
of these were passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. As in neighbouring
countries, interest in folklore grew with an emerging feeling of national consciousness in 19th-
century Denmark. Researchers travelled across the country collecting innumerable folktales, songs
and sayings while observing traditional dress in the various regions. Folklore today is part of the
national heritage, represented in particular by national and local traditions, songs, folk dances and
literature.

Today's folk dancing in Denmark dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when there was
renewed interest in the national heritage. A number of groups began to revive the music, dances
and costumes of past generations. In 1901, the Society for the Promotion of Danish Folk Dancing
(Foreningen til Folkedansens Fremme) was founded in Copenhagen, leading to local dancing
societies throughout the country.Today there are more than 12,000 folk dancers in 219 local clubs,
providing courses in music, dancing and dressmaking.
 Customs and Traditions of Africa

African music

Traditional Sub-Saharan African music is as diverse as the region's various populations. The
common perception of Sub-Saharan African music is that it is rhythmic music centered on the
drums, and indeed, a large part of Sub-Saharan music, mainly among speakers of NigerCongo
and Nilo-Saharan languages, is rhythmic and centered on the drum. Sub-Saharan music is
polyrhythmic, usually consisting of multiple rhythms in one composition. Dance involves moving
multiple body parts. These aspects of Sub-Saharan music were transferred to the new world by
enslaved Sub-Saharan Africans and can be seen in its influence on music forms as Samba, Jazz,
Rhythm and Blues, Rock & Roll, Salsa, and Rap music.

Folktales also play an important role in many African cultures. Stories reflect a group cultural
identity and preserving the stories of Africa will help preserve an entire culture. Storytelling
affirms pride and identity in a culture. In Africa, stories are created by and for the ethnic group
telling them. Different ethnic groups in Africa have different rituals or ceremonies for storytelling,
which creates a sense of belonging to a cultural group. To outsiders hearing an ethnic group's
stories, it provides an insight into the community's beliefs, views, and customs. For people within
the community, it allows them to encompass their group's uniqueness. They show the human
desires and fears of a group, such as love, marriage, and death.
 Customs and Traditions of Singapore

Singapore has been one of Asias premier destinations even before the pre-colonial period. Its
position upon the Strait of Malacca makes it an important port , which led to its colonization by
the British in the 19th century. Since then, Singapore has experienced major growth and evolved
into one of the worlds leading financial centers.the Singapore Arts Festival which aspires to be
an international arts event with a distinctly Asian identity brings together great local and
overseas works and artists who seek to inspire, challenge, surprise and entertain.

Singapore Traditions

Singapore Music

Lovers of classical music might have gala time in Singapore Symphony Orchestras weekly
concerts in the Victoria Concert Hall, Empress Place and open-air concerts. The Orchestra which
came to exist in 1979, adopts middle path between Asian and Western music. For Oriental, go to
the Singapore Chinese Orchestras fortnightly performance at the Singapore Conference
Hall.

Hungry Ghost Festival

The Chinese come together every year, usually during mid-January to mid-February to celebrate
Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Lunar New Year, making this one of the most hyped
traditional festivals in Singapore. Chinese families all over Singapore will have their houses
specially spruced clean and beautifully decorated to butter up the occasion, while Shopping
Malls and city streets will be prettily dolled up with bright red ornaments and extravagant
decorations.
 Customs and Traditions of Guam

The culture of Guam reflects traditional Chamorro customs in a combination of indigenous pre-
Hispanic forms, as well as American, Filipino, Spanish and Mexican traditions. The Chamorro
people have lived on the Micronesian island of Guam for nearly 4000 years, and have cuisine,
dance, fashion, games, language, music, and songs of their own.

Marriage and festivals

Before marriage, it was customary for young men to live in concubinage with young women,
whom they purchased from their parents by presents. Frequently a number of young men and
young women would live together in a large public, house, as is the custom among the Igorot of
Luzon. After marriage, a husband contented himself with one wife, and a wife with one husband,
at a time. Divorces were noted as being frequent, with the children and the household property
staying with the wife.

Festivals were celebrated with the men and women collecting in separate groups, forming semi-
circles. They would sing and chant their legends and fables. Sometimes these songs would be
sung with treble, contralto, and falsetto singers in a three-part harmony. The songs were
accompanied by certain gestures and movements of the body. Women used rattles and castanets
made of shells to create music

Painting

Painting is a recent practice which has evolved in Guam since the 1980s. Guam International
Airport has one of the largest collection of paintings by local artists on display at the arrival and
departure gates, as does the business college of the University of Guam.[20] Some of the murals
done by painter Sal Bidaure are a two-story level mural on the Bank of Hawaii and another that
is done on the concrete retaining wall near the Hilton hotel. Contemporary paintings by many
artists are seen in many prominent buildings throughout the island. Some of the well-known
contemporary artists are Mark DellIsola, Vivian Chargulaf, Monica Baza.
 Customs and Traditions of Australia
The culture of Australia is a Western culture, derived primarily from Britain but also influenced
by the unique geography of the Australian continent, the diverse input of Aboriginal, Torres
Strait Islander and other Oceanian people.

Cuisine
Contemporary Australian cuisine combines British and indigenous origins with Mediterranean
and Asian influences. Australia's abundant natural resources allow access to a large variety of
quality meats, and to barbecue beef or lamb in the open air is considered a cherished national
tradition. The great majority of Australians live close to the sea and Australian seafood
restaurants have been listed among the world's best.

Indigenous music

Music is an integral part of Aboriginal culture. The most famous feature of their music is the
didgeridoo. This wooden instrument, used amongst the Aboriginal tribes of northern Australia,
makes a distinctive droning sound and it has been adopted by a wide variety of non-Aboriginal
performers.

Aboriginal musicians have turned their hand to Western popular musical forms, often to
considerable commercial success. Pioneers include Lionel Rose and Jimmy Little, while notable
contemporary examples include Archie Roach, Kev Carmody, the Warumpi Band, Troy Cassar-
Daley and Yothu Yindi. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (formerly of Yothu Yindi) has attained
international success singing contemporary music in English and in the language of the Yolngu.
Christine Anu is a successful Torres Strait Islander singer. Amongst young Australian
aborigines, African-American and Aboriginal hip hop music and clothing is popular.
 Customs and Traditions of Vietnam
The culture of Vietnam is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia, with the ancient Bronze age
Dong Son culture being widely considered one of its most important progenitors.[1] Due to a
millennium of Chinese rule, Vietnam was heavily influenced by Chinese culture in terms of
politics, government, Confucian social and moral ethics, and art. Vietnam is considered to be
part of the East Asian cultural sphere.

Marriage
The traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important of traditional Vietnamese
occasions. Regardless of Westernization, many of the age-old customs practiced in a traditional
Vietnamese wedding continue to be celebrated by both Vietnamese in Vietnam and overseas,
often combining both Western and Eastern elements.

In the past, both men and women were expected to be married at young ages. Marriages were
generally arranged by the parents and extended family, with the children having limited say in
the matter. In modern Vietnam, this has changed as people freely choose their own marriage
partners

Martial arts

Vietnamese martial arts are highly developed from the country's very long history of warfare and
attempts to defend itself from foreign occupation. Although most heavily influenced by Chinese
martial arts, it has developed its own characteristics throughout the millennia in combination
with other influences from its neighbours. Vietnamese martial arts is deeply spiritual due to the
influence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and is strongly reliant on the "Viet Vo Dao"
(philosophy of Vietnamese martial arts). It is probably most famous for its scissor kicks.
 Customs and Traditions of Switzerland

The Swiss have always maintained and nurtured their own local customs, and because of this,
Switzerland is a country with an enormous wealth of cultural activity and living tradition.

Music

No matter whether there is dancing taking place or not, Swiss folk music is mainly dance music.

The most commonly heard musical instruments include the "Schwyzerrgeli" (accordion), the
violin, bass violin, clarinet and, in certain regions, the dulcimer or Trmpi (Jew's harp). Alpine
folk music developed with the unwritten transfer of skills and compositions over generations,
decades and even centuries. The oldest known Kuhreihen (rounds) are from Appenzell and were
recorded in 1545. The Alphorn, so typically Swiss, was originally a musical and signaling
instrument used by the herdsmen and the many yodeling choirs that have been formed since the
19th century. In general, Switzerland has an extensive amateur music scene, and in virtually
every village there is at least a choir or a brass band

Customs and sports

For a long time, Swiss sports customs were eclipsed by international types of sport - but recently,
they have come back into their own.While regional and local sporting traditions have often been
neglected, there are some sports that have enjoyed increasing popularity. Major events such as
the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival ESAF are increasing in popularity; in 2010, the festival
reached a new record with 250,000 visitors and became the largest Schwingen festival ever held.
It is worth noting that no additional police were needed for the maintenance of order, and the
authority of the public address announcer was sufficient. At these multi-day festive occasions,
athletic wrestlers, sturdy boulder throwers and strong Hornussen players gave of their best - all to
the accompaniment of yodel choirs and accordion orchestras.