Syrian

Location: -Syria is an arab republic in the middle east. This country borders Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east,
israel and Jordan to the south and Lebanon and mediterranean sea to the west.

Population:19.4 million

Major ethnic groups: arabs (90%) Kurds (9%) Armenians, Circassians and turkomans (1%)

Traditions, festivals, etc:

the Syrian has a lots of traditional festivals which is important to highlight some of them:

The traditional festival :Taking place in May, the popular Traditional Festival, also known as the Desert
Festival, is an exhilarating and entertaining event of about 40 camels racing through the ruins of Palmyra, an
ancient Syrian city.

The international flower fair: In the city of Damascus, the International Flower fair presents the most
beautiful flowers of the world, including the renowned Damascus rose. Amongst the variety of competitions,
visitors experience the beauty and senses of nature.

The national dance: Dabka is a dance of several light coordinated steps with movements of the body that
express vivacity of the males and tenderness of the females, accompanied by frequent organized movements of
feet, beating the ground in harmony with a drum, a flute or any other country musical instrument.

Religion: Sunni muslims (74%) Alawis (9%) Christians (10%) Druze (3%) and small of muslim sects, Jews and
Yazidis (1%)

The predominant religion in Syria is the Islam which is an abrahamic monotheistic religion which professes that
there is only one god, Allah. Its believers as known as Muslims.

They believe that Allah revealed to the prophet Muhammad the rules governing proper life of man and society
therefore muslims must live in the manner prescribed by the revealed law in order to build a perfect human life.

A striking feature of syrian is that they believe strongly in powers of good and evil and the local saints. Moreover
they use amulets, charms to protect themselves.

Religious practitioners: There are no priest or clergy in Islam. instead there are people who is in charge of leading
prayers and reading from the Qur'an, the muslim holy book.

Death and afterlife: A death is followed by 3 days of mourning. Female relatives of the deceased wear black for
several months and widows generally do not remarry because their respect of the mourning for the rest of their
lives.

Conflicts History

The conflict has its roots in protests that began in Deraa city in March 2011 after the arrest and torture of some
teenagers who painted revolutionary slogans on a school wall. After security forces opened fire on demonstrators
where several were killed.As a consequence, more demonstrators protested on the streets.

Opposition supporters eventually began to take up arms first to defend themselves but them to expel security
forces from their local areas and thus, country descended into civil war.

By the start of 2013 the government began to recapture opposition strongholds around the capital while in Aleppo
there was stalemate which divided the city into rebel and loyalist- controlled sectors. Rebel forces were affected
by deep divisions among groups.

Islamic and Jihadist linked to Al-Qaeda have caused widespread concern and triggered rebel infighting.

Currently, 4 million of Syrian have fled the country in order to refuge while others were killed.
Human Crisis: The riot took syrians lives. A report written by 24 horas Chile, revealed how syrian try to overcome
the crisis. Some of them sell their organs in order to get better incomes to eat and live. Other fled the country to
refuge and start a new life far away from the conflict.

Religion as a conflict: At the beginning, the syrian conflict was not seen as strictly religious conflict because the
main issue was that the citizens wanted their freedom that had been denied them for a long time. However,
during the development of the conflict the main focus changed into religious. According to Monic Duffy a well
known note scholar of religious, defines this conflict as civil wars in which combatants identify with different faith
and traditions in which they can find shelter and can develop as person.

Discrimination: People make negative stereotypes about syria. They seen syria as a sectarian country because
of the conflict and its religious focus in which million of innocents have died.

Inuit indigenous people

The inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous people inhabiting the arctic regions of canada,
denmark(greeland), Russia(syberia) and the USA (Alaska). They used to be called Eskimos or Arctic people.

Inuit: means people and Inuktitud is the main language.

Arrival: the inuit were the last native people to arrive in north america. Nobody else wanted to stay there because
of the most extreme climates in the world. But the inuit were masters at adapting to sustain their people over
thousands of years.

Extra information: In canada the constitution act of 1982 recognized the inuit as a distinctive group of canadian
aboriginals.

Settlements: The Inuits used to be nomadic people so they rarely stayed in one place for very long time.

Traditions: They built tents and covered with animal skins mostly Caribou or Sealskin that also were used such
as clothing.

Housing: When the temperature decrease in winter the inuit built other kind of house in order to protect from the
harsh winter and the most common winter shelter was a snowhouse known as Igloo. The igloo was a temporary
house made by snow block.

Food: the used to hunt and fish different kind of animals especially sea mammals like whales, seals, etc. and for
hunting were arctic fox, polar bear and arctic birds.

Transport: They built boats called kayaks.

Tools: were made of stone or part of animals like bones, ivory, teeth, and horns

Religion: they believed in animism: all living and nonliving things had spirit. when the spirit died, it can continue
living in a different world.

Leaders that control the spirits are called the Shamans or Angakoks who invoque the spirit through dances and
wearing masks.

Beliefs: They believe in spirits and to keep the spirits happy they had to follow some guidelines. They had to
respect them and rely on them.

Goddess of the sea: Sedna, live at the bottom of the ocean. If the inuit made her happy she would
continue to provide them with food.

War and conflict: war and conflict between them is rare. they live a peaceful existence were values are the most
important in their culture. they need to depend each other to survive. for that reason they share everything.

Nevertheless, there is a conflict with non-aboriginal people. Since contact with outsiders many changes in inuit
society have occurred. Canadian for instance, has been superimposing laws, languages and other important
issues to keep control of this part of the region in which they have tried to exploit their resources. For that reason,
many organizations have been created over time to support the inuits need and the conservation of their culture
and language. This has been a big achievement for them because of the increasing of this culture.

Despite the achievements, they still face significant challenges such: overcrowding, food scarcity, environmental
exploitations, illness and high rates of youth suicide.

Discrimination: General population take advantages of the indigenous. According to Canadian human rights
commision (2010) a 9.4% of aboriginal people reported discrimination. 1 % more that non-aboriginal.

Nigerian Tribes (71%)

nigerias 3 largest ethnic groups are: hausa and fulani: 29%, yoruba 21% and Igbo 18%

North: hausa fulani

South: yoruba (southwest) Igbo (southeast)

Hausa- fulani: Are the predominant ethnic group in Nigerias northern region. Though the group originated in
different parts; lifestyle,religion, intermarriage and adoption and important issues unified the groups over time.

their religion is the islam

Igbo: Most of them are Christians. The igbo are an essential part of the oil trade in Nigerias southeastern region.
This tribe is characterized by its opposition with sharia law (that postulate that people must follow everything that
islam indicate and respect the prohibition concerning this religion.) in nigeria and their struggle to achieve the
independence.

In 1967 Igbo fought against Nigeria government because the life condition that they lived. This war lasted 2 years
and a half. Since this war Igbo have been reintegrated into Nigeria Society but they still feel marginalized by the
status quo in nigeria.

Yoruba: They are identified as Christian and Muslims. They are the most urban ethnic group and historically their
culture centered on densely populated city-states each controlled by an oba or king. Like Igbo, Yoruba held
important roles in the british colonial government participating significantly in both political and economic life.

Extra information: A christian was elected the president of nigeria in 1999 and he was reelected in 2003.

Arts, literature, religion, music, dance, etc.

Nigerian have been influenced by african, islamic and european artists. the architecture and calligraphy are the
most important art for them including poetry which was used such a arm to escape or criticize the main problems
in Nigeria. such as: abuse, corruption, etc.

and important issue is that islam forbids the representation of people and animals in their creations.

related to music and dances nigerian celebrate festivals to remember their past and their present which are
accompanied by songs played on drums,flutes,trumpets, and other stringed instruments.

Conflict: Since 2009 Boko Haram, an islamic guerrilla force has been against the nigerian government. this group
is an al-qaeda affiliated islamic group which has been taking the control of the country and imposing the sharia
law to the many tribes.

In addition, they also oppose the education of women and postulate that women should be stay at home raising
children and looking after their husbands not at school learning. In simple words they still living in a chauvinist
society.

according to this, boko haram kidnaped 230 girls and only 43 could scape.

Discrimination: People discriminate for the chauvinist society, because they think they are terrorists, their skin,
and because people think that they can infect any lethal virus.

Maori
Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand which came more than 1000 years ago from their mythical
polynesian homeland of Hawaiki.It's thought the Maori migrated from Polynesia to Aotearoa (New Zealand)
sometime between the 9th and 13th centuries, bringing with them what would become integral customs of Kiwi
life.

14% of the population are maori.

LOCATION: The islands of New Zealand are the present day homeland of the Maori. New Zealand consists of
two islands: the North Island and the South Island. The North Island is hilly with areas of flat, rolling terrain. The
South Island is larger and more mountainous. Prior to the arrival of humans, both islands were densely forested.

LANGUAGE: Maori belongs to the Tahitic branch of the Eastern Polynesian language group. The Maori of today
speak English. Preschools that offer instruction in Maori language have sprung up all over the country at a rapid
rate as a result of Maori activism.

RELIGION: The Maori held an essentially spiritual view of the universe. Like other New Zealanders, many Maori
today are Christian (primarily Anglican, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic). Before contact with outside cultures,
Maori religion was based on the important concepts of mana and tapu. Mana is an impersonal force or spiritual
essence. Tapu refers to sacredness that was assigned by status at birth.All free men were tapu to a degree
directly proportional to their rank. Furthermore, an object or resource could be made tapu and therefore off-limits.
The punishment for violating the rules of the tapu restriction was automatic, usually coming as sickness or death.

The Maori had a pantheon of supernatural beings ( atua ). The supreme god was known as Io.

MAJOR HOLIDAYs: Christian Maori celebrate the major Christian holidays as do other New Zealanders. Rituals
were performed according to the religious calendar and the harvest and collection of foodstuffs.

Food: Meat and vegetables are placed on top of the rocks in the pit. The food is left to steam for several hours.

Education:Public education has now become the norm for most urban Maori. A number of pre-schools based on
Maori cultural education have also been established throughout New Zealand. Education is state-supported and
required in New Zealand between the ages of six and fifteen. Students planning to attend one of the country's six
universities continue their secondary education until the age of seventeen or eighteen. At that time, they take
university qualifying exams.

Sport:rugby and cricket as its national sports. Maori boys and men participate in and

Conflict: The Maori face significant economic and social obstacles, with lower life expectancies and incomes
compared with other New Zealand ethnic groups, in addition to higher levels of crime, health problems and
educational under-achievement. Socioeconomic initiatives have been implemented aimed at closing the gap
between Maori and other New Zealanders. Political redress for historical grievances is also ongoing.

Currently: In recent years, the government of New Zealand has acknowledged its responsibility to the Maoris
after a series of protests and court rulings. In October 1996, the government agreed to a settlement with the
Maoris that included land and cash worth $117 million, with the Maoris regaining some traditional fishing rights.
The Maori have been striving to revive aspects of their traditional culture, reclaim artifacts of their cultural history
from foreign museums, and regain their ancestral homelands.

As of 1997, the Maori of New Zealand numbered close to 525,000 people, or about 15 percent of New Zealand's
total population. The term "Maori" refers to a number of different tribal and subtribal groups that view themselves
and each other as very distinct.

Tibetan people

Prior to Chinas invasion in 1950, Tibet maintained a unique culture, religion and language for centuries.Today,
this culture is under threat from mass Chinese immigration and the strict control of all expressions of Tibetan
culture and national identity.

The tibetan people are located in the Tibetan plateau, in Asia, to the northeast of the Himalayas. (CHina).They
are one of 56 ethnic groups officially recognized in the People's Republic of China.
Religion: Tibetan culture and identity is inseparably linked to Tibetan Buddhism. Religious practice and Buddhist
principles are a part of daily life for most Tibetans. Monks (monjes) and nuns play a key role in their communities,
providing guidance and education. They are often very active in protecting and promoting Tibet's environment,
language and culture.

Almost all Tibetans are deeply devoted to the big face Dalai Lama (14th) and his exile and treatment by the
Chinese government are sources of grief and anger. This person is considered as master and he is the 14th dalai
lama who has achieved total control over death and reincarnation.

Tibetans' allegiance to the Dalai Lama and to Tibetan Buddhism is seen as a danger to the occupying Chinese
state and, as a result, all aspects of religious practice are closely monitored and controlled.

Simply possessing an image of the Dalai Lama can result in arrest and torture. Monks and nuns are frequently
targeted by security restrictions and they make up a significant proportion of political prisoners in Tibet.

Traditions, culture,etc.:

LANGUAGE AND EDUCATION: The Tibetan language is completely separate from Chinese languages and even
uses a different alphabet and script. However, inside Tibet it is under threat, as Chinese has replaced it as the
official language of business, education and government.Primary and secondary education is taught
predominantly in Mandarin, with Tibetan as a second language. Entrance exams to universities are in Chinese.
As a result, some young Tibetans are no longer literate in Tibetan.

The Tibetan language is classified as one of the 23 Tibeto-Burman languages spoken within the border of the
present day China in the Himalayan region, but there are clear variations in dialect from Ladakh in the far-west to
the Kham Gyarong, Gyalthang and Golok dialect of eastern Tibet, specially the distinctive differences in
pronunciation and vocabulary always been mistaken for distinct languages.

Song and dances:Tibet is also known as Ocean of songs and dances, dancing and singing is extensively
spread throughout Tibet since from centuries ago, songs and dances are widely categorized as wedding songs,
love songs, archery songs, circular dancing songs, folk songs, drinking songs, labor songs as so on, they are
deeply connected with their daily life, specially during the festivals people spend whole days of dancing and sing
with their traditional dresses.

TIBET TODAY: Tibet is rich in tradition and some Tibetans, particularly nomads, have lifestyles that have
changed little over generations. It is also a modern country with many urban Tibetans living busy city
lives.Communications are very important to Tibetans and the use of mobile phones and the internet is extensive,
including in some of the most remote parts of Tibet. While China attempts to prevent Tibetans accessing foreign
media and influences, Tibetans work hard to circumvent restrictions and engage with the world beyond their
borders. Many young people are seeking new ways to resist China's rule and to preserve Tibetan culture. This
includes the Lhakar or White Wednesday" movement - a practice whereby Tibetans promote their own culture,
speak their own language, shop exclusively in Tibetan shops and wear Tibetan clothes; every one a rejection of
Chinese rule.

TRADITIONAL TIBETAN LIFE: Moving across the Tibetan plateau whilst raising yaks and other livestock has
been a way of life in Tibet for centuries. Since the early 1990s, China has sought to enforce its control on Tibet by
destroying the nomadic way of life. It has moved more than two million Tibetan nomads from the land they have
lived off for generations to barrack-like urban settlements. Torn from all they know, nomads face poverty,
unemployment and social exclusion. Tibetan nomads have protested resettlement programmes and also Chinese
mining and damming projects which threaten their environment. Often they resist construction that threatens to
damage sacred lakes and mountains.

Discrimination: The chinese governement is against tibetan people, they discriminate this ethnic group because
they used to be one of the unique indigenous group that havent changed its belief and they still preserve its
culture. However the chinese governement want to impose and keep control on tibet breaking the human rights
of this people. This caused that they were discriminated in education, social life and to apply for a job.