Throat Singing In the Inuit Culture

by Clint Leung

Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among Inuit women while the men were away on hunting trips.  It was an activity that was primarily done by Inuit women although there have been some men doing it as well.  In the Inuit language Inuktitut, throat singing is called katajjaq, pirkusirtuk or nipaquhiit depending on the Canadian Arctic region.  It was regarded more as a type of vocal or breathing game in the Inuit culture rather than a form of music.

By far, pop culture has had the greatest influence on fashion and by inclusion hair styles and designs. The creativity of the music and film industries have literally spearheaded the ‘must have styles’. Actors such as Gregory Peck introduced us to classic suave hair do’s, and actresses like Audrey Hepburn introduced us to elaborate elegance in high piling ‘Bee Hive’ styles. In later times John Travolta brought classic finesse to an end and introduced us to the new era of the romantic rebel and grease...literally.

May's Culture Article

May Day - May 1st

by Lynne Hand

The earliest May Day celebrations appeared in pre-Christian Europe, although the pagan-oriented celebrations faded as Europe became Christianised, a more secular version of the holiday continued to be observed in the schools and churches of Europe well into the 20th century. In this form, In the UK May Day is best known for its traditions of dancing the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of the May.

April's Culture Article

April Fool's Day - April 1st

by Lynne Hand

April 1^st is the day people try to trick their friends, to make them behave like fools. Ranging from the elaborate practical joke to the obvious Your zip's undone the joker gloats April Fool when the unsuspecting victim falls for it. No one is exempt until noon but after that the joking must cease or the prank rebounds on the joker with the rhyme "April Fool is gone and past, You're the bigger fool at last." A favourite joke is to send someone on a fool's errand, a search for something that does not exist, a friend of mine was sent to buy tartan paint once.

March's Culture Article

Assyrian Chaldean Syrian Wedding Traditions

by Rafi Michael (edited by Lynne Hand)

The wedding really starts the night before (usually Friday) in the groom’s house where a small party is held known as (khyapta d khitna) or a shower party for the groom (literally). Usually the party is small and only the closest relatives and friends are invited to the shower.

February's Culture Article - Be My Valentine - Before there was a Saint Valentine to bring romance into the equation, mid-February was an important date for lovers. From 400 years BC, the Romans held an annual lottery in the name of their god Lupercus. The names of teenage women were put into a box and drawn at random by adolescent men. The 'winners' were legally paired for a year.