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...
In Ancient Egypt, there were many types of breads including pastries and cakes. Because sugar was not available, the wealthy people used honey as a sweetener, while the poor used dates and fruit juices. Pastry cutters were used to cut a piece of...
Papua New Guinea; Sawos (Papua New Guinea people); Papua New Guinea -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Bandicoots
The Sawos peoples from the Middle Sepik River Region of Papua New Guinea make these beautiful bowls to serve sago, a starch made from the pulp of native palm trees. The bowls are often decorated with abstract representations of Sawos beliefs and...
Turkey; Turkey -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Coffee making paraphernalia -- Turkey
Pestles, club-shaped tools, and mortars, bowl shaped containers, were used for grinding coffee by hand before the Fifteenth Century. As the popularity of coffee increased in Europe during the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish coffee mill was introduced....
Hungary; Hungary -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Cookery (Cabbage)
The average homesteader usually had a slaw cutter or “kraut cutter” in her kitchen. To make sauerkraut, the cabbage is sliced into strips with the cutter, piled into a large container like a barrel, and then mashed until the juice covers the...
The metallic appearance of this beetle may aid in making it appear more armored to predators. The bright and fluid coloration may serve as a warning to predators since camouflage is not a good survival strategy for this insect.
Sweden; Germany; Folklore - Germany; Drinking cups; Marriage customs and rites; Weddings--Equipment and supplies
The story of the bridal cup is inspired by a true story in 1450 from Nuremberg, Germany. The young daughter of a nobleman fell in love with a goldsmith. The young woman’s father did not approve and forbade them to be together. He imprisoned the...
Adangme (African people); Adangme (African people) -- Food; Food habits; Implements, utensils, etc.; Nigeria--Social life and customs
Like many places in the world, fast food chains are becoming more and more popular in Nigeria. However, most families continue to prepare and eat their meals at home. Because Nigerian culture is very community-centered, large meals are usually made...
Makira and Ulawa (Solomon Islands); Bowls (Tableware)
Wooden food bowls of Ulawa (one of the Solomon Islands near Papua New Guinea) range from bowls this size to bowls 12 feet long. They are used during ceremonial feasts to serve taro and yam puddings, two of the main food staples of South Pacific...
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...
During World War II, Joanne ("Josie") Wallace of Springfield, Massachusetts, distinguished herself as a Ferry Command pilot with the Women's Air Force Service Pilots. Little did she know when she married Hoosier native Major Robert D. Orr...
Siwah Oasis (Eygpt) ; Siwah Oasis (Eygpt) -- Social life and customs; Weddings; Wedding costumes; Clothing and dress; 20th Century
This outfit was worn by a bride of the Siwa Oasis, located in Egypt near the Libyan border. The Siwa Oasis are well known for their beautiful embroidery, unique designs and elaborate jewelry. Many garments and accessories are embroidered with a...
One of the most important Jewish religious celebrations is Passover, or Pesach. Observed during the spring, Passover is an eight day event commemorating the freedom of Jewish peoples from slavery in Egypt. It is an occasion when Jews spend time...
