Holidays -- Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; All Souls' Day; All Souls' Day -- Mexico; Saints; Mexico -- Religious life and customs; Christian art and symbolism
When the Conquistadors, 16th-century Spanish explorers who came to the New World, arrived in the Americas, they brought with them many of the traditions of Spain, especially those having to do with religion. It was customary in Colonial homes to...
Holidays -- Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; All Souls' Day; Skeletons; Sculpture; Aztecs; Aztecs -- Religion; Aztecs -- Social life and customs
This skeleton, dressed in the clothing and accessories of an Aztec warrior, honors the roots of the Mexican celebration, El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This unique celebration grew from the blending of Aztec beliefs about death with...
Holidays -- Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; All Souls' Day; Sculpture; Skeletons
Who is this stylish lady? According to Mexican sculptor, Pablo Morales, she is Catrina--based on artist Jose Guadalupe Posada's character, la calavera Catrina. Catrina represented high society women and later parodied lower class women who dressed...
Holidays -- Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; All Souls' Day; Sculpture; Skeletons
Skeleton sculptures like this one can be seen in Mexico and in parts of the United States during the Mexican celebration, Días de los Muertos (Days of the Dead). Celebrated from October 31 - November 2, the holiday is a special time when it is...
Kites; China; China -- Social life and customs; China -- Folklore; Kites -- China
The first kites were probably flown in China more that 3,000 years ago. Like this kite, they were made by stretching silk over bamboo frames. Kites continue to be an integral part of Chinese culture today. Each year, people all over China celebrate...
The first kites were probably flown in China more than 3,000 years ago. Like this kite, they were made by stretching silk over bamboo frames. Each year, people all over China celebrate Kite Festivals on the 9th day of the 9th month of the Chinese...
Papier-mâché; Mexico; Art -- Mexico; All Souls' Day; Folk Art -- Mexico; Skeleton; Mexico -- social life and customs
Skeletons like the ones in this wedding scene are created by Mexican artists to make people laugh and to poke fun at death. During the Mexican celebration, El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), artists create skeletons from all walks of life to...
In Japanese folklore there are seven treasures and seven deities of good luck. The deities include one from Japan, three from India, and three from China. The story begins on New Year's Eve, when the "treasure ship" with all seven deities...
Toys; Automobiles; Amos 'n' Andy (Radio program); Television programs -- History; African Americans on television
This 1930s toy capitalized on the popularity of the 1928 Amos ‘n’ Andy radio show by bringing the characters to life in a windup taxi. Performed by its white creators Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, the show developed Amos Jones and Andy...
Morpho; Butterflies; Insects; Butterflies -- South America; Butterflies -- Mexico
There are about eighty species of Morpho butterflies, all of which are confined to the neotropics, the area from the southern tip of South America up to Mexico. Not all of them can be found with the typical metallic blue coloring. As you can see,...
Coral reefs are an amazing part of the world’s ecosystem, providing a home for more than a quarter of all sea life. Thousands of different species rely on reefs for survival and many communities all over the world also depend on coral reefs for...
These turtles can be found in marshes, ponds, rivers, and lakes from Canada all the way south to Ecuador. Snapping turtles are aggressive animals, and will eat on all types of life it can reach, from fish and amphibians to small mammals and birds....
Leaves -- Collection and preservation; Leaves; 1980s; Flowers; Flowers - collection and preservation
Can you guess why this leaf pressing kit is called “Flora”? In Roman mythology, Flora was the goddess of flowers. Since then, some people referred to all flowers as flora and all animals as fauna. The makers of this 1980s kit followed that...
This particular uniform is a bogu, or armor, for Kendo, a form of Japanese fencing. Kendo, literally translated to "the way of the sword," is a modern resemblance to the fighting of the samurai warriors. From the 8th century, Kenjutsu,...
Puppets; Marionettes; Donald Duck (Cartoon character)
Mr. Bob Pelham began Pelham Puppets in the late 1940s. Until the end of the 20th century, these puppets were popular in England and all over the world. Pelham created all types of puppets including marionettes, hand puppets, and ventriloquist...
The ultimate disposable in our throw-away society, the paper dress was all the rage in 1966-67. It didn't need to be cleaned; after a few wears, you simply threw it away & bought a new one. The first ones cost $1.25. Helen Griffith wore this...
India; Jewelry -- East Indian; Bracelets; Anklets (Ornaments)
India has a very rich history in ornate clothing and jewelry. When dressed in formal attire for special occasions, women are often covered from head to toe in all types of jewelry, including headdresses, hair ornaments, earrings, pendants, belts,...
Hats; Headgear; Congo (Democratic Republic); Congo (Democratic Republic) -- Social life and customs; Lega (African people); Lega (African people) -- Social life and customs; Lega (African people) -- Clothing; Clothing and dress
In African societies, hats are often worn to reveal a person’s place in society or membership in a specific social organization. This hat was worn by a member of a special society called Bwami. Men and women of the Lega peoples in the Democratic...
Field hockey; Field hockey--Equipment and supplies
Ancient civilizations including Greeks, Persians, Romans, Aztec Indians and Arabs played stick games. Today field hockey continues to be a popular sport all over the world. Two teams of 11 players face off on a rectangular field. Only the...
Rome -- Civilization -- To 146 B.C.; Nails and spikes
The earliest nails probably were found in the Middle East around 5,000 B.C. Nails were all handmade until the late 1600s when a nail-making machine was invented. Iron nails of all sizes were made by Roman blacksmiths in their workshops. Nails were...
