Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress; Apache Indians; Apache Indians -- Social life and customs; 19th Century
Upon reaching puberty, an Apache girl may take part in an elaborate four-day ceremony that marks her entry into womanhood called the Sunrise Ceremony. During the four days, she is believed to embody White Painted Woman, a spiritual being who is...
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...
Islam; Islam -- Customs and practices; Rugs, Prayer
Can you guess how this rug is used? It's not for home decoration, but for prayer. Rugs, such as this, are an important part of a religion called Islam. Islam is one of the world's major religions. Muslims, followers of Islam, are found in over 120...
Many cultures around the world have been practicing ear cleaning for more than five centuries. Ear cleaning is considered a necessary part of personal hygiene like tooth brushing. This cleaning tool was passed down through several generations of a...
In Myanmar, marionettes, or stringed puppets, have been considered more than entertainment but a communication medium for the rural communities to hear news from the city. Marionettes first made their appearance in the 11th century and reached...
Dresses; Clothing and dress; Jordan; Jordan--Social life and customs
Jordan is a country in the Near East, east of Israel. In the last few decades dolls have been made in the refugee camps on the banks of the river Jordan. The YWCA has centers there offering training (for example in doll making) to Palestinian Arab...
Clothing and dress; 18th century; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783; United States--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Breeches are knee-length pants popularly worn by men during the 18th century. These were most likely part of a Revolutionary War uniform for a soldier in the Continental Army.
China; China -- History -- Han dynasty, 202 B.C.-220 A.D.; Lions; Lions in art; Sculpture
Chinese lions may not look much like actual lions from Africa, but they share many characteristics with mythical lions found in folklore traditions around the world. According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck,...
Zulu (African people); Zulu (African people) -- Social life and customs; Trays; Implements, utensils, etc.; Food habits; Manners and customs
The Zulu serving trays, or izingqoko, are used to carry meat portions that are cut during a ceremonial slaughter and then used to serve family members within a homestead. The women hang the serving trays on a fence so only the bottom would be...
Japan; Japan -- Social life and customs; Tea; Implements, utensils, etc.
In Japan, tea is an essential part of a picnic as well as virtually every meal. Although tea drinking originated in China, the earliest record of tea drinking in Japan dates to 729 AD. There are special ceremonies and utensils to prepare and drink...
The Christmas nativity scenes are replicas of the birth of Jesus, which is the story taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Nativity sets are an essential part of the Christmas celebration all around the world. Many of the nativity scenes...
World War, 1914-1918; Germany; Germany -- Politics and government -- 20th century; Military uniforms; Helmets; Prussia (Germany) -- History
Nothing stands out more in the history of military uniforms than the spiked helmet, or pickelhaube, which literally means "pimple hat." The pickelhaube was originally part of Prussian military headgear. The Prussian King, Friedrich...
Norway; Norway -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Potatoes
Potatoes, though not native to Norway, are considered one of the traditional foods. The origins of the potato can be traced back to 5000 BC in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes Mountains in South America. Around 1570 the potato reached Spain and...
Chickens are domestic birds. The adult female chicken is called a hen, the adult male is called a rooster, and the young are called chicks. There are many different breeds of chicken that are different sizes and colors. The rooster is larger and...
Toys; Dolls; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865; Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Dressed as a general of the United Sates Army, this doll celebrates the life of the 18th United States President Ulysses S. Grant. During the Civil War, Grant gained national attention as the general-in-chief of all Union armies. His clever...
Vietnam; Vietnam -- Social life and customs; Baskets
Women are the basket makers in Vietnam, as well as most Southeast Asian countries. Baskets were part of every aspect of Vietnamese life, such as for ceremonial purposes, shelter, containers, and clothing. This backpack basket is a miniature version...
Schorl is one of the most common forms of a mineral group known as Tourmaline. The crystal it forms is thin, triangular, and black and is found as part of other rocks. If you cut the crystal in half it will be triangular in shape. Schorl Tourmaline...
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...
Indians of north America; Zuni Indians; Zuni Indians -- Social life and customs; Zuni pottery; Containers; Storage jars; New Mexico; Zuni pottery
Zuni peoples recognized the importance of water in their daily lives. Water and items associated with water became part of their belief system. During the 1800s water jars or containers featured abstract designs of rain, vegetation and animals...
Between 1942 and 1945, during World War II, the U.S. federal government regulated purchases of goods like food and gas. War Ration Books were issued to everyone. Each stamp or coupon authorized the holder to purchase rationed goods in the...
