Uncovering the Diversity of African Music

If you are a music buff looking to expand your horizon, check out these 5 African music genres.

African drums. Lee Pigott. Unsplash.

People all across the African diaspora share a love for music, which connects everyone to the same frequency. Many are familiar with Afrobeats, a style of music from Nigeria, but there are many different and diverse genres to explore the sounds of, from the likes of Amapiano to Chimurenga.

Amapiano

Two people singing Amapiano together.. The Charles Gallery. Unsplash

Amapiano is a genre of music originating from South Africa characterized by a mixture of jazz, house and Gospel music. Amapiano is composed heavily of synthesizers, percussion, soulful vocals, and repetitive melodies. This genre of music is relatively new, coming into being in the early 2010’s.  Amapiano is a Zulu word meaning “the pianos.” Amapiano is a form of music South Africans believe can bridge people together, and a musical escape for the younger generations.

Listen to a Youtube playlist of Amapiano music

Juju

Man playing music on the beach. Seun Adeniyi-CCO.

Juju is a genre of music that originates from Nigeria, specifically its Yoruba region. It’s a musical style that is composed of praise-singing accompanied by a guitar or banjo and a gourd shaker. This genre of music was traditionally played in taverns or during festivals as dance music, but became modernized and generally popular by the 1980’s. As it grew in popularity, it led to the birth of many other genres of music like Highlife or Afrobeats, as we know of them today.

Listen to a Youtube playlist of Juju music

Coupe decale 

A group dances to Coupe Decale. Tommy. CC 2.0

Coupe Decale is a genre of music created by Cote D'ivoirians living in France in the early 2000’s. It’s a musical style composed of ‘computerized circular beats’ mixed with Ivorian rhythms . The lyrics themselves are inspired by the West African griot tradition of story-telling, and the genre’s primary message focuses on providing a space for many people to dress nice, go clubbing, and forget their problems during a time of economic and political crisis.

Listen to a Youtube playlist of Coupe Decale music

Gnawa–saharan Folk music

Man playing Moroccan bass lute. Marrakech Riad-CCO.

Gnawa is a folk  genre that originates from Morocco. It’s a musical style that has its roots in ancient African tradition, as it’s the result of formerly enslaved black Africans integrating into Moroccan life. It serves as a preservation of the folkloric music of their ancestors, as well as a means to heal from collective trauma. Interestingly it is also said to have healing properties for those that are possessed by ‘genie spirits.’ Its musical style is composed of African percussion, metallic castanets, and bass lutes.’ Gnawa at its core is a combination of poetry, music and dancing. This genre shares many similarities with its American counterparts Jazz and the Blues, as all three share the same purpose. The genre’ songs consist of references to the singer’s origins and history regarding enslavement. 

Listen to a Youtube playlist of Coupe Decale music

Chimurenga 

Thomas Mapfumo, the creator of Chimurenga music performs. Cultrvultr-CC BY NC-SA 2.0

Chimurenga is a genre of music that was developed in Zimbabwe. It was used to protest colonial rule in the 70s, and more generally is used to discuss and inform on societal issues and movements important to the singer. Because of this, it is recognized as ‘music for the people’s struggle’. This musical genre can be accredited to the Shona musician Thomas Mapfumo. He was inspired by the rock bands he heard playing growing up and his Shona background to create a political movement through music.

Listen to a Youtube playlist of Chimurenga music

Kadija Diallo

Kadija is a student at Georgia State in Atlanta, Ga. She is a creative spirit who loves traveling and seeing new places. She also enjoys using her love for writing/storytelling to make an impact on the world. One day she hopes to make new connections and share stories as she travels to every continent. 

Sleep Around the World

How do country and age affect how we sleep?

Ever-present sleeping Japanese travelers, BitBoy, CC BY 2.0.

Every single person in the world, no matter how old or how young, regardless of where they live, needs to spend at least some portion of each day asleep. Not everyone sleeps the same way, however. Where you live, your age, and how you choose to live your life have a huge effect on how you sleep. 

In South Korea, it has been estimated that around 100,000 people are addicted to sleeping pills. People in South Korea, along with Japan, get the least amount of sleep in the world, averaging less than 6 and a half hours per night. In Japan, the term “Inemuri,” refers to “sleeping on duty,” and refers to when someone falls asleep in the office, or sometimes even on a train or a public bench. While in the US falling asleep on the job would be considered a sign of laziness, in Japan, Inemuri is a respected practice, where the sleeping individual is seen as having literally “worked themselves to sleep.” In both South Korea and Japan, hard work and strict schedules are commonplace, causing a high pressure environment where sleep is sacrificed for success.

Bed Arrangement, mikecogh, CC BY-SA 2.0

In the Netherlands, on the other hand, people sleep on average 8 hours and 12 minutes per night, the most in the world. The primary reason for this is that the Dutch eat dinner very early, often around 5:30 or 6pm. This gives the Netherlands the greatest period between their evening meal and their bedtime, greatly improving their quality of sleep. This also allows people in the Netherlands to have an earlier bedtime, something that is important because it's actually when you go to bed, not when you wake up, that serves as the best indicator of sleep habits. 

Sleeping Baby, ECohen, CC BY-SA 2.0.

However, while the Netherlands bedtime is very healthy for the average adult, for a child it would not be nearly enough.The amount of sleep people need decreases as they get older. Newborn babies, for instance, are recommended to get 14-17 hours of sleep a day. After three months, this decreases to 12-16 hours. From the ages of 6-12, it is recommended to get 9-11 hours, and from the ages 13-18, 8-10 hours of sleep. It is when reaching adulthood that the 8 hours of sleep usually recommended by experts becomes the minimally acceptable amount. This makes age the biggest factor in determining how long one should sleep. 

Couple Bed, Living Together, CC0 1.0.

Cultural differences in sleep extend beyond quantity. In Japan, 54% of people sleep alone. In Canada, this statistic drops to 14%. These statistics do not only signify romantic partners. In Vietnam, 83% of parents share their beds with their children. In some cultures, whole families often sleep together. The Ache people in Paraguay for example, are described by Professor Carol Worthman as sleeping in “big multigenerational heaps.”

Siesta, pedrosimoes7, CC BY 2.0.

When and how often we sleep is another question. In the United States, people practice monophasic sleep, meaning sleeping one time per day, at night. While many western countries are monophasic, this is not the case everywhere. Most famously, the Spanish “siesta,” is an example of biphasic sleep, meaning that practitioners sleep in two blocks, once at night and the other during the afternoon. This also is a tradition in many Mediterranean countries, most notably Egypt. Some individual people even practice polyphasic sleep, where they sleep for more than two times per 24-hour day. While no nation is known to practice this kind of sleep, both Leonardo Da Vinci and Thomas Edison are thought to have been polyphasic sleepers. 

While sleep differs in many ways beyond those discussed above, this should at least demonstrate that, like other traditions and beliefs, each individual and culture has its own way of sleeping.

Jeremy Giles

Jeremy is a Writing Seminars and International Studies major at Johns Hopkins University. He is an avid writer and the Co-Founder of Writers’ Warehouse, Johns Hopkins’ first creative writing group. He is an advocate for Indigenous rights, and studies how Indigenous philosophies can be used to help prevent climate change. Using his writing, he hopes to bring attention to underrepresented voices in today’s world.

How Fast Food Adapts to Local Tastes Around the World

Exploring unique regional items from KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and other fast food giants.

Fast Food Mull. Tim Reckmann. CC BY 2.0.

Fast food is a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. Whether you are craving a burger in Beijing or a pizza in Paris, you can always rely on fast food chains to provide a consistent, reliable experience. However, in the modern world, fast food chains are constantly adapting to local tastes and incorporating unique ingredients to create various flavor combinations. Here below is a flavor adventure that explores the wacky and wonderful world of region-exclusive fast food items.

1. Kentucky Fried Chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken in Shanghai. Gwydion M. Williams.CC BY 2.0.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, or KFC for short, has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Corbin, Kentucky. Today, the iconic fast food chain can be found in almost every corner of the globe, serving up crispy fried chicken to hungry customers worldwide. But while the Colonel’s original recipe may be the same everywhere, KFC has become famous for its wildly creative region-exclusive items. For example, in the United Kingdom, KFC has introduced the “Scoff-ee Cup”, a creation that combines a biscuit cup with white chocolate to keep coffee hot and fingers crispy. Meanwhile, in Asia, KFC has rolled out some innovative treats, like the Brown Sugar Boba Tea Tart, a pastry filled with milk tea custard and boba jelly, inspired by the popular Taiwanese drink.

But KFC’s regional items are not just about sweet treats. In Korea, the chain offers Tender-Rice, a combo of crispy chicken tenders and seasoned rice. And in Malaysia, customers can try the Wasabi Rice Wrap, a fusion of Japanese and Vietnamese flavors that is designed for people on the go. According to Ling Mee Jiuan, Senior Vice President of KFC Malaysia, the Wasabi Rice Wrap was designed specifically with young, busy consumers in mind. The local team wanted to create something that was quick, convenient, and bursting with flavor for people who are always on the move. 

2. McDonald’s

McArabia. Tracy Hunter.CC BY 2.0.

McDonald’s is the poster child for the rapid spread of Western fast food across the globe. The term “McDonaldization” was coined to describe what started as a Speedee Service System, which prioritized efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control by offering a limited menu of 15-cent hamburgers, fries, and shakes. However, McDonald’s has slowed its pace and started introducing region-exclusive items that cater to local taste buds. For instance, in 2001, McDonald’s added the McFalafel sandwich to its menu in Egypt. This sandwich features three pieces of falafel, a patty-shaped fritter of Arab origin that is deep-fried and served with garnishes like tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and pickles, all wrapped in a freshly baked tortilla wrap and topped with Tahini sauce. 

But McDonald's is not just adding local twists to its burgers - the company also creates entirely new menu items for specific regions, you can find the Teriyaki Burger, which features a savory teriyaki sauce and is served on a rice bun instead of a traditional burger bun. In South Korea, McDonald's offers the Bulgogi Burger, which features marinated beef and a spicy sauce made from Korean chili paste.

McDonald’s has also tailored its famous bread to suit local palates. In China, for instance, McDonald’s introduced the distinctive Black and White Burgers. These “half burgers” were packaged in a small box and were possibly inspired by the yin-yang symbol. The black burger consisted of a beef patty with chopped onions, black pepper sauce, and a black bun topped with white sesame seeds. The white burger, in contrast, featured a chicken patty with sweet and spicy sauce and a white bun with black sesame seeds. While some of these attempts at innovation were mocked, they demonstrate a willingness to experiment and accommodate local tastes.

3. PizzaHut

Pizza Hut Pizza in Japan.Yoko Nekonomania.CC BY 2.0.

Founded in 1958 by two Wichita University students, Pizza Hut has grown to become the world's largest pizza company, with over 11,000 restaurants in 90 countries. But Pizza Hut's success isn't just due to its massive size - the company’s commitment to innovation and customer service has set it apart from competitors. 

However, some of Pizza Hut’s more unconventional offerings have raised eyebrows, and possibly even the ire of traditionalists. Weirder items, such as the “Double Sensation” in Singapore, may seem like two pizzas squished into one. The outer crust is stuffed with a melange of melted mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses that ooze out of holes in the crust, while the outer pie is topped with turkey ham, bell peppers, mushrooms, and salsa sauce. And for reasons beyond comprehension, a single cherry adorns the center of the pizza.

Meanwhile, Pizza Hut in China has added Peking duck as a meat topping to its menu, alongside specialized pizzas crafted with different veggies to complement the duck’s unique flavors. For many, duck is not a meat that adapts easily to other dishes. But for the daring foodies who are willing to try new things, Pizza Hut in China offers a delicious and adventurous take on traditional pizza.

4. Burger King

Burger King Halloween Whopper Black Bun. Mike Mozart. CC BY 2.0.

In 1953, Keith Kramer and his wife’s uncle Matthew Burns were struck with inspiration after visiting the original McDonald's in California. Their brainchild, Insta-Burger King, was born from their desire to create a unique restaurant experience. Equipped with a special grill machine, the Insta-Broiler, the duo set out to make their mark in the fast-food industry.

Now, with over 19,000 locations worldwide, Burger King is a force to be reckoned with in the fast-food world. While its competitors strive to innovate their international menus, Burger King takes a different approach—stuffing as much as humanly possible between two buns. Take, for example, the Bacon Lover, available in France and Switzerland, which boasts two flame-grilled beef patties, onions, tomatoes, cheese, bacon, and smoked sauce, all served between two bacon-studded buns.

But the Garlic Meat Beast in Japan takes the cake for the most outrageous offering. This monstrosity features a quarter-pound beef patty, teriyaki chicken breast, and garlic pork patty, all slathered in scallion miso sauce and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and bits of fried garlic. And if that’s not enough to satisfy the consumers, Burger King‘s Windows 7 Whopper hit Japanese locations for a limited time, featuring a whopping seven beef patties, plus all the usual fixings, for the price of $5.94, a nod to the release of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system.

5. Taco Bell

Taco Bell Beefy Fritos Burrito. Willis Lam.CC BY-SA 2.0.

Taco Bell is the new kid on the block when it comes to multinational fast food chains, but it has made its presence known around the world with its Mexican-inspired menu. The company’s catchy slogans, from “Think Outside the Bun” to “Live Mas,” have resonated with customers in Asia, Europe, and beyond. But Taco Bell’s true innovation lies in what's inside the bun (or wrap). Take, for instance, the Kimchi Quesadilla, which can be found at Taco Bell locations in Korea. This fusion dish combines the traditional Korean dish of spicy fermented cabbage with spicy chicken and a blend of melted cheeses, creating a unique flavor that is all its own. Or consider the Chicken Tikka Masala Burrito in India, where grilled chicken, Mexican rice, onion, cilantro mix, and Tandoori Mayo Sauce are wrapped in a grilled flour tortilla, showcasing Taco Bell's willingness to experiment with unorthodox flavor combinations. Other region-exclusive menu items include the Shrimp and Avocado Burrito in Japan and the Chili Cheese Burrito in the United States.

6. Domino’s

Domino’s pizza in Japan with Lazagniano and Super Deluxe. Puamelia. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Domino’s, the pizza giant with over 17,644 restaurants around the world, has managed to achieve a global presence with its menu. However, their international menu seems to be an experimental playground that has no bounds. Japan’s Boba Tapioca Pizza is a clear demonstration of the chain’s willingness to embrace bizarre combinations that cater to local tastes. The pizza’s blend of black tapioca pearls and mozzarella cheese has gotten mixed reactions from customers. While it is true that some of Domino’s experiments are not well-received, the Lotta-Chocca Pizza in the United Kingdom has won the hearts of many, thanks to its unique fusion of pizza and milk chocolate. Domino's New Zealand has also managed to make an impact with its Apricot Chicken Deluxe, a delicious combo of chicken and apricot sauce. 

From rice and curry to kimchi to Beijing duck, the amalgamation of western industrialization and local cuisine gives rise to region-exclusive fast food items that are uniquely flavorful, providing a glimpse into the cultural diversity that exists across the globe. The presence of such multicultural menus in fast food chains not only reflects the dynamism of global markets but also serves as a testimony to the importance of inclusivity and open-mindedness in our increasingly interconnected world.

Hope Zhu

Hope is a Chinese international student at Wake Forest University in North Carolina studying sociology, statistics, and journalism. She dreams of traveling around the globe as a freelance reporter while touching on a wide range of social issues from education inequality to cultural diversity. Passionate about environmental issues and learning about other cultures, she is eager to explore the globe. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Asian cuisine, reading, and theater.

The Concept of Time in Different Cultures

How where you live and the language you speak affects your view of time.

Self portrait - Ticking away, MattysFlicks, CC BY 2.0.

Over the summer I would get up at about 7:00 am every morning. By 8:30, I’d have eaten breakfast, showered, gotten dressed, and left for work. When work ended, I’d make sure to always have a plan for what to do after, whether that was hang out with friends, work out, or write something. I’d usually be done with that by around 8, at which time I’d heat something up for dinner, usually a meal I prepared in bulk on the weekend. Afterwards, I’d watch shows until I fell asleep. The next day, I would get up, and repeat. 

Like most other English speaking Americans, I view time as linear, heading from a defined beginning to a final end. Every moment is something that I can spend, save, or waste. And, I believe that if I waste too many of these moments, it could have a disastrous impact on my future. 

However, this is just one of many ways to view time. Depending on where you live, what you believe, and what language you speak, you may view time in a completely different way.

Monochronic Time and Polychronic Time

Business Calendar & Schedule, photosteve101, CC BY 2.0.

Monochronic Time is divided into small segments, allowing it to be managed and scheduled easily. It is treated as a resource, just like any other. Being used by countries such as the United States, Japan, and Germany, monochronic time is essentially the time model of industrialization. People in monochronic societies tend to be on time to meetings; similar to the schedule I described above, every moment has a distinct purpose. Wasted time can cause great stress, and going off-schedule can mean that all necessary tasks may not get completed. This causes countries with monochronic time to typically have a faster pace of living. Even times of rest are often scheduled, regulating them to certain days or hours. 

Four seasons in Japan, vitroid, CC BY 2.0

Polychronic time is much more fluid, where many things can be done at once. Rather than emphasizing the efficient use of each and every moment, people in polychronic societies tend to focus more on their relationships and traditions. Instead of organizing  time through rigid schedules, for people in these cultures the seasons, religious calendars, and community life serve as the main signs of the passage of time.  India, Mexico, and many other countries in Latin America are Polychronic. 

I am currently studying abroad in Ecuador, a largely polychronic country, where I have had to adapt to the different view of times. Unlike the United States, deadlines are rarely strict. I’ve frequently been told lunch is at 1, and then ended up not eating until 2:30. In addition, planning is often more last second. I have lived with two host families, and we often have weekend plans. In each case, I have rarely known said plans until I’m on the way to my destination. While this was stressful for me at first, I have come to appreciate it, as my host families have seemed to have a much easier time living in the present because of it.

Past, Future and Present Oriented Societies

Go Fisherman go - Gokarna India 2011, rundenreisen.org, CC BY 2.0

Past Oriented Countries, like the UK or India, have incredibly long and storied histories. Instead of living for the present alone, past oriented societies see themselves as only the newest iteration of an incredibly old tradition. This causes them to view time in a more casual manner, as the waste of an hour or a day is inconsequential when compared with thousands of years of history.

In addition, many eastern past oriented countries adhere to what is called cyclic time. This is the idea, that like the seasons, time repeats itself, and events are bound to happen again. This means that, whenever considering a major decision, it is critical to evaluate the events of the past.

Getting cab times square, new york, andre stoeriko, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Future oriented countries, like the United States, are young and hungry. Without thousands of years of culture to fall back on, citizens of the United States tend to look forward. In future oriented countries, every moment matters, as only by maximizing these moments can a person truly succeed. 

Juma River, Amazonas, Brazil, Alexey Yakovlev, CC BY-SA 2.0

Present Oriented Societies are rare, but they do exist. The Indigenous Piraha tribe of the Amazon Rainforest has no past tense in their language. They have no origin story or particular religious beliefs, no reverence for their ancestors, and tell no stories. For them, things just are. What has happened in the past is not relevant.

Language and Time

Washing line, Kate#2112, CC BY 2.0.

Anglophones usually think about time as something that has length. Phrases such as “a long day” or “a never-ending year” are common. In Swedish, time is viewed in this same way.

In Spanish, days are described as “full,” instead of long. Rather than as a line, time is visualized as a container waiting to be filled. 

This is most interesting when it comes to bilingual speakers, as it has been proven that they have the ability to, in switching languages, change how they view time. If someone bilingual is spoken to in English, they will view time as a line, and if they are spoken to in Spanish, they will visualize it as a container, giving them a foot in both worlds.

Jeremy Giles

Jeremy is a Writing Seminars and International Studies major at Johns Hopkins University. He is an avid writer and the Co-Founder of Writers’ Warehouse, Johns Hopkins’ first creative writing group. He is an advocate for Indigenous rights, and studies how Indigenous philosophies can be used to help prevent climate change. Using his writing, he hopes to bring attention to underrepresented voices in today’s world.

Why Japanese Fruit Is So Expensive

Japan places cultural importance on giving fruit gifts, leading to the cultivation of impressive fruits that can cost over $100

Square Watermelon. Joi Ito. CC BY 2.0.

In most parts of the world, fruit is a relatively common food, located in every grocery store and eaten as a healthy snack. However, fruit in Japan is expensive, much more than most would expect. Every piece of fruit is carefully grown and so much importance is placed on this that a single piece of fruit can cost over $200. 

Of these expensive fruits, melons are the most famous. Many watermelons are grown in the shape of a cube, though known as square watermelons, and others a heart. Square watermelons were originally developed to make it easier to store them, but they are still watermelons. Yubari melons are also extremely costly, well-known for their sweetness, texture and aroma. They are known as the most expensive fruit because in 2010, a pair of them were sold for $45,000 to a melon-flavored mineral water company celebrating their 10th anniversary. Muscat grapes are also very popular, each one large, plump and shiny. However, the Ruby Roman grapes are even more special. These are grown only in Ishikawa, one of Japan’s prefectures, and a single one of these grapes can cost 2,500 yen (about $18). They are easily the most expensive grapes in the world, but they are also the largest, with each grape as big as a ping pong ball. Though these grapes are also classified into superior, special superior and premium, only 1-2 bunches of grapes are considered premium per year. In 2020, a premium group of Ruby Roman grapes sold for $12,000. Another popular and expensive fruit is the Japanese strawberry. Amao strawberries, grown in Fukuoka, cost around $7 per kilogram, but they are roughly 4-5 times the size of normal strawberries. Hatsukoi no kaori, or white jewel strawberries, are 3 times the size of a regular strawberry, but a singular one of them will cost $10. This is because of the unique color that they are famous for. Hatsukoi no kaori are white strawberries with red seeds, hence the name “white jewel”. 

White Jewel Strawberry. Jed Schmidt. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

These impressive fruits are expensive for a reason. There is a lot of careful cultivation by the farmers who grow them so that the fruit turn out perfectly. Each farmer has their own way of meticulously taking care of their fruit plants. Some will pollinate each flower by hand, others have hats for their fruit in order to prevent sunburn and the rest  will grow the plant so that each branch or vine only has one fruit. This way, all the nutrients in the plant are directed towards that particular fruit.

Display of Expensive Fruit. The Tronodon. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

In addition, fruit-giving is an important part of Japanese culture. The seasons play a large cultural role, and fruit represents them because different fruits thrive better during different times of the year. It allows people to experience and appreciate what each season has to offer, from the colors of the fruit, to their aroma and, of course, taste. Beyond that, since fruit is edible, it doesn’t clutter people’s houses. Also, since the fruit is a gift, it has to look perfect. They cannot have blemishes or other imperfections, which is why so much labor and dedication is devoted to growing each luxury fruit.

Katherine Lim

Katherine is an undergraduate student at Vassar College studying English literature and Italian. She loves both reading and writing, and she hopes to pursue both in the future. With a passion for travel and nature, she wants to experience more of the world and everything it has to offer.

7 Sites of Mexico City’s Architectural Diversity, from Baroque to Brutalist

Mexico City is a flourishing metropolis with a plethora of historic and modernist architectural sites. Here are a few attractions scattered around the city.

A street at the center of Mexico City. Flickr user Franx’. CC BY-NC 2.0.

A Gothic cathedral sits next to a glassy business building. Brick houses with arabesque detailing overlook the noisy streets full of men in suits and street food vendors. Mexico City is growing every year; its multiplicity of neighborhoods hosts a variety of architectural styles and people from all over the globe. Often regarded as an oasis of modernity in the entirety of Latin America, this urban center has been labeled the “next Paris'' or as a new version of New York. Given its history of colonialism and its willful modernization under Porfirio Diaz, Mexico City’s compilation of architecture is oftentimes representative of its past and present. Here’s a cursory glance at a few of Mexico City’s sites of modernization, and the contradictions at play in these structures. 

The Central Library of the National Autonomous University on a gloomy day. Mark Hogan. CC BY-SA 2.0.

1. Central Library of the National Autonomous University

Juan O’Gorman’s Central Library of the National Autonomous University (UNAM) is a spectacle to behold. This behemoth holds the qualities of international modernist architecture: its 14-story frame sits above a glassy ground floor which looks over a neatly gridded yard. Yet, O’Gorman’s building doesn’t possess the stoicism of standard midcentury modern architecture; its distinctively Mexican-themed mural makes the building a historic storybook. Like a visual epic, the “Historical Representation of Culture” mural includes the expansive timeline of pre-conquest Mexico, the Spanish conquest, Mexican modernization and Mexico’s future. One can spot mosaics of the beginnings of Tenochtitlan, and the clash between pre-Hispanic Mexico and vehicles of Spanish colonialism. O’Gorman believed his mosaics of these cultural signifiers would make the library “different from the rest of the buildings within University City” by giving it a distinctly “Mexican character.” 

A corner of the exterior of Casa Luis Barragan. Forgemind Archimedia. CC BY 2.0.

2. Casa Luis Barragan

Casa Luis Barragan, which was built in 1948, looks as if it were suspended in time and space: colorful red walls jut into the placid blue sky, although they are immobile in detail and structure. Luis Barragan is a world-renowned architect whose eccentric architectural style can be recognized in his buildings’ solid colors, geometric shapes and sparsity of details. This vibrant house is a foil of O’Gorman’s direct homage to Mexico as a nation; it highlights formalist qualities over political values, which Barragan considered secondary to his architecture. Barragan is an expert at manipulating elements of nature. The play of shadows within the structure itself and the use of greenery turns an otherwise intimidating monument into a livable habitat. Although countless travel journals have attached Mexican modernist themes to Barragan’s home, it resists the supposed markers of “Mexican” aesthetics and remains a private site of great accomplishment.

Thousands visit the Basilica de Guadalupe daily. Alex Marduk. CC BY 2.0.

3. Basilica de Guadalupe 

Pedro Ramirez Vazquez’s seminal work, the Basilica de Guadalupe, is a sacred destination for thousands of Catholics around the world. The area it sits on, Tepeyac, was originally a place where Aztecs worshipped Tonantzin, or “the divine mother.” As a result of the suppression of Aztec religions during Spanish occupation, the Basilica de Guadalupe was built for Our Lady of Guadalupe who was said to have appeared before St. Juan Diego. The original colonial basilica was severely damaged in 1921 in a bomb attack, but Vazquez’s new Basilica de Guadalupe renovated the sacred site. This site was just one of Vazquez’s projects dedicated to industrializing Mexico, as shown in its modernist disk shape and the sheer mass of its structure.

Monumento a la Revolucion sitting at the city center. Ismael Villafranco. CC BY 2.0.

4. Monumento a la Revolucion

Located in the Cuauhtemoc borough of Mexico City, Monumento a la Revolucion is a stately memorial which celebrates the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Mirroring many of the United States’ federal buildings in Washington, the monument’s perfectly symmetrical Roman dome is fortified by brick pillars which meet at the four corners of the structure. Carlos Obregon Santacilia continued the project after it had been abandoned by both the state and the French architect they commissioned for the building, Emile Benard. Oliverio Martinez’s smooth sculptural representations of independence, reform, agrarian laws and labor laws protect the mausoleum on its four corners. In this marriage of neoclassical elements and Mexican nationalism, the Mexican government actively constructs its origin story via the conventions of Roman and French architecture.

Close-up shot of Martinez’s sculpture on Monumento a la Revolucion. Flickr user tchelseat. CC BY-NC 2.0.

A view of the facade of La Santisima Church. Wikimedia user Protoplasmakid. CC BY-SA 3.0.

5. La Santisima Church

La Santisima Church is covered in the Spanish churrigueresque style, which is the Baroque style that was dominant in Spain during the 18th century. Its facades are adorned with ornate carvings of the apostles, angels, Jesus and Mary placed in between its many columns. Although it appears relatively normal in a city full of extravagant churches, the distinctive religious iconography on its exterior deems La Santisima Church worthy of close attention.

Museo Soumaya shines brightly on sunny days. Flickr user Dan. CC BY 2.0.

6. Museo Soumaya

No piece of architecture screams “contemporary” like the Museo Soumaya. Museo Soumaya, which houses thousands of sculptures and paintings from pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica up to European impressionist works, is a piece of art itself. The Plaza Carso building in particular is an intriguing malformed shape dressed in millions of aluminum hexagons. Taking inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim in New York, Fernando Romero designed the Plaza Carso as an enigma: the concept behind the work is intentionally vague, and the usefulness of its parabolic shape questionable. 

Front view of Museo Anahuacalli. Javier Castañón. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

7. Museo Anahuacalli

Although Diego Rivera is widely known for his painted murals, his exploration of three-dimensional design is just as noteworthy. Rivera’s Museo Anahuacalli was made of his own accord; Rivera wanted a space for his collection of over 50,000 relics of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica. The style of the building is an amalgam of various Mesoamerican styles, taking inspiration from Teotihuacan and the temples of the Mayans and Aztecs. The exterior of the museum has the symmetry of neoclassical architecture, while its interior is heavily influenced by the Aztec pyramid. 

Many scholars speculate that the development of uniquely “Mexican” architecture, seen through Mexico City’s plethora of sites, stems from a desire for national representation. Mexico City’s postcolonial realities are found in its very infrastructure: one cannot ignore the presence of Catholicism, the reminders of a pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, and the complications of deliberate industrialization. Juan O’Gorman’s library attempts to artfully marry the past, present and future. Casa Barragan is the work of a maverick who resists the narrative of a national architecture. The grandiose Basilica de Guadalupe is holy ground for millions of Catholics, yet it strays from the Gothic style of typical European cathedrals. 

The sheer amount of voices and styles in this sprawling metropolis is telling of its complicated relationship with modernization. There is no shortage of historic, formal, religious and artistic values in each of Mexico City’s buildings. 

Heather Lim

Heather recently earned her B.A. in Literatures in English from University of California, San Diego. She was editor of the Arts and Culture section of The Triton, a student-run newspaper. She plans on working in art criticism, which combines her love of visual art with her passion for journalism.  

12 Local Cuisines You Can Find Around the World

Tasting local foods is one of the most interesting things about travel.  Learn about some hallmark culinary traditions of these diverse regions. 

Meat and veggies simmering in a pan. LoKan Sardari. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

My favorite part of traveling is exploring and tasting local food dishes with culturally significant roots within the region I’m visiting. When I traveled to London, I explored the local pubs and decided fried fish wasn’t that bad. The local aspect of dishes excites me, and I would much rather dine in a family-owned restaurant than a tourist trap. 

This serves as a bite-sized serving of the infinite variety of food on this massive planet—not a definitive recounting of the delicious and culturally significant dishes on Earth, but rather these regions serve as starting points that lead to culinary exploration. 

1. Kanto Region - Japan

Fukagawa meshi and other side dishes. Nekotank. CC BY-ND 2.0.

Japan is divided into eight regions, each of which has its own culturally significant dishes. The Kanto region is home to the capital city of Tokyo, and the flavors are stronger than the other regions’ food. Fukagawa meshi is a dish that originated in the Edo period (approximately 1603-1867) and consists of clams and leeks cooked in a miso stew. The dish was a product of abundant fishing in the area and quickly became adopted by locals. The Kanto region became a hub for industry during the Edo period, and the cuisine naturally started evolving to incorporate other region’s influences. 

2. New South Wales - Australia 

Kangaroo Meatballs with quandom jam. by denisbin. CC BY-ND 2.0.

Prior to the 18th century, the Indigenous population of Australia subsisted on hunting local wildlife, including kangaroos and wallabies. Once Australia became a continent-sized prison for the British Empire, the cuisine quickly modified to have influences of the colonizer diet. Today, Sydney cuisine reflects the multi-cultural population that lives there. Take-away foods and fast food are staples of Australian culture, and Sydney specifically is a melting pot of local and international foods. Fish and thick cut fries are common. The cuisine of Australia is heavily influenced by Western diets but still utilizes ingredients that Aussies connect with, including eating their national animal, the kangaroo—a dish low in fat, delicious, and popular in local restaurants. 

3. Phobjikha Valley - Bhutan

Bhutan dish with potatoes and vegetables. By rapidtravelchai. CC BY 2.0.

This region is home to many rich cultural events, such as the Black-Necked Crane Festival, which honors one of the region’s most culturally significant animals. This festival is held annually on Nov. 12, where cranes can be seen flying at high altitudes, accompanied by traditional dancers dressed in black-necked crane attire. The local cash crop is potatoes, which are the main ingredient in kewa datshi, a traditional dish prepared by thinly slicing potatoes and sauteeing with cheese, butter and chiles. The dish is relatively new to the region’s culture; in fact, potato consumption in Bhutan was near non-existent until the 1970s. Until then, it was mainly used as an export crop. Due to the region’s altitude and climate, insects do not interfere with the local’s potato crops, which eliminates the need for harmful pesticides.

4. Metsovo - Greece

Skewered sausages. PACO POMARES. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Situated to the north of Epirus, Greece, this gorgeous small town is home to some of Greece’s most delicious industries: wine and cheese. The history of this town is fascinating, with it being the center of production for sheep wool traded as far as Northern Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries. The region is most popular during the winter season for its spectacular mountains and beautiful streams. Venturing off the beaten path, one can find themselves entranced with gorgeous forests, filled with statues, 19th-century architecture and natural springs supplying fountains. The local cuisine has an emphasis on dishes with rich flavors like sausages and ruffage, as well as a nice glass of wine to pair with it. Extra virgin olive oil is a heavily used condiment that could be added to multitudes of things, including toasted bread and other dishes.  

5. Chengdu - China

An assortment of Chengdu Food.  sinosplice. CC BY-NC 2.0.

Chengdu, China is a so-called “Party City,” according to the Los Angeles Times. While it is true that Chengdu has more teahouses and bars than Shanghai, it’s also home to many local dishes, specializing in chiles and peppercorns. One dish, dan dan mein (which Chengdu is credited for making), utilizes both in order to achieve a very spicy broth. Chengdu’s local tea culture is also very important, since the city was once a starting point for the Silk Road, offering many opportunities to create and enhance cultural staples. Although not culinary-specific, the city is a hotspot for LGBTQ+ travelers and natives, combining influences from the local party scene and the Queer community. 

6. Soca Valley - Slovenia

Panettone with chocolate chips. Nicola since 1972. CC BY 2.0.

Slovenia is right in the center of four surrounding cultural influences; the Balkans, Alpines, Mediterranean and Pannonian flavors are all present in Slovenia’s dishes, and each is broken down into distinct ‘genres’ of food. The Alpine mountains are home to the cows and sheep that graze and produce milk, used for cultural dishes like žganci (literally translated as mash). The expansive meadows let honey bees run rampant to produce fresh honey. To the east of Slovenia, there is a vast amount of wheat fields, used to prepare a litany of different dishes and thermal springs that allow for fresh drinking water. The most popular fish is sea bass, and according to popular sentiment in the region, “a fish must swim three times, in water, oil and wine.” By utilizing hard harvested salt, Slovenia’s population takes its local cuisine very seriously. 

7. Cape Town - South Africa

South Africa’s cuisine can be summed up with the term “melting pot,” since this region contains a mixture of Asian, European and Indigenous cultures within their food. Braai, an almost universally utilized meat preparation method in Southern Africa, is prepared by digging a firepit, providing meat and setting it ablaze. The practice is adjacent to America’s cultural touchstone of “barbecue,” although a key difference is that braai fires stay lit throughout the celebration as participants enjoy everyone’s company. Indigenous populations prioritized beef as a high-value food, and today, many South Africans still utilize foods from their Indigenous past. Colonialism severely altered the landscape of South African cuisine by bringing in an enslaved workforce from across Asia, which in turn brought their own cultural roots. The introduction of spices like nutmeg and allspice and the influence of European culture altered the cuisine further.  Fermented beer is also popular, with a common practice being offering someone homemade beer as they enter your house. 

8. Sicily - Italy

Italian cassatelle drizzled with chocolate. JohnDiP. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Across the Mediterranean is the island of Sicily, a region known for its famous seafood dishes, sweets and, of course, pasta. The island restaurants have the opportunity to catch fish from the surrounding Mediterranean, specializing in tuna and freshly caught sardines. Pasta con le sarde is one of Sicily’s most popular dishes, utilizing fresh fennel seed that grows abundantly in Italy and the sardines from the surrounding sea. The dish also reflects the region’s multicultural influences, such as including raisins and pine nuts adapted from North American travelers. Sicily’s sweet side is also on full display, with cannoli being a centerpiece in Sicilian culture. Made with sweet ricotta filling, the crust of the cannolis is made from a fried pastry. 

9. Andes - South America

The Andes Mountains are home to communities of Indigenous peoples who have worked to preserve traditional flavors and techniques. The foodstuffs of the Indigenous peoples were incredibly versatile. Corn and potatoes are still some of the most important aspects of Andes cuisine, accompanied by traditionally used meats such as llama and guinea pig. Another word for a guinea pig is “cuy,” which has been a staple in Peruvian culture since the Incas and is used on important occasions.

10. Prague - Czech Republic

The capital of the Czech Republic harbors many cultural influences within its dishes. Italian food has touched the landscape of cuisine in Prague, but there are still many delicious dishes with deep Czech roots. Czech cuisine doesn’t have lots of vegetables in its arsenal of ingredients, and the foods of Prague are “delicious, comforting, very filling and addictive.” Steak tartare, a dish that tops “Taste of Prague’s” list of snacks that pair well with beer, is raw minced beef served with an egg or condiments. Sausages are a very common food in Prague, as well as the greater Czech region, overflowing into Germany. 

11. Central Ghana

Western Africa’s recipes are still being prepared in deeply culturally important ways. Dishes are typically very starch heavy, accompanied by heavily seasoned meats, like beef, fish and the most dominant form of red meat in this region, goat. Traditionally, West Africans didn’t eat much meat and instead opted for dishes with natural oils, but now locals mix various meats together in different aspects of dishes. Suya is also a very popular street food, taking meat and mixing it with spices, resembling a kebab flavor on a stick. Prior to Ghana’s independence in 1954, residents boycotted colonial goods, including tinned meat and biscuits, in an effort to lower the cost of living. This action, along with a demonstration at the governor’s estate, set the stage for Ghana to be the first Sub-Saharan independent country. Ghana is not concerned about dictating a national food, rather it embraces the diversity of the many cultural influences within the country. 

“Ghanaians expect to encounter diverse ethnic foods when traveling through different ecological zones within their country,” said researcher Brandi Miller in her paper, “Food and Nationalism in Independent Ghana.” “They welcome this difference and consider it a source of national strength and an indication of their unique national character, which embraces diversity.”

12. Tropics - South America

Fruit in a market. Nico Kaiser. CC BY 2.0.

On the beaches of South America, some so-called ‘exotic’ fruits are common staples of local culture. Pineapples, mangos, papayas and dozens others can be found in the tropical forests within the region. The climate allows for a dizzying variety of local agriculture to be used in recipes, such as tostones, which are popular Latin American twice-fried sliced plantains. The Amazon Rainforest is also utilized to enhance local flavors, utilizing meats from turtles and capybaras to use for local cuisine. Nearer to the coast, seafood dishes like ceviche are common to see enjoyed on a sunny day on the beach. Other than fish and fruits, there is a wide variety of vegetables that are grown in the tropics that influence local cuisine, including corn, beans and sweet potatoes.

Clayton Young

Clayton is an aspiring photojournalist with a Bachelor's in Liberal Studies with a minor in History from Indiana University - Bloomington. In his free time, he enjoys hikes, movies, and catching up on the news. He has written extensively on many topics including Japanese incarceration in America during World War II, the history of violence, and anarchist theory.

Inside the Lives of the American Amish  

The Amish are known for their conservative beliefs and rejection of modern technology. Today, more than 300,000 Amish live in the United States.

Teen Returning Home From Work. Melnee Benfield. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The Amish Church originated in Europe in the seventeenth century following a split from the Mennonite Swiss Brethren in 1692. This split was due to a disagreement about the treatment of members who had been found guilty in breaching the doctrine. To escape persecution, the Amish migrated to Pennsylvania in the 1730s. Today the population is an estimated 300,000 people in more than 30 states and is steadily growing due to the Amish belief that children are a blessing from God. The majority of the Amish community (62 percent) live in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. They are Christian believers who have isolated themselves from modern society and live in rural areas of the United States. They do this to keep their community from being influenced by outsiders, who they refer to as the “English.”

Family is the most important social unit in Amish culture. On average, families have seven children, although larger family units than this are common. Chores are divided traditionally by the gender binary, with girls staying and helping their mothers manage the home. If they decide to work outside the home, it is within the Amish community doing jobs like sewing, selling food in local stands or stores, waitressing, midwifing or nursing. Boys work alongside their father in farms, construction, crafting furniture, raising livestock and auctioneering. On days when they are not working, the Amish turn to sports like baseball, volleyball and basketball. Board games are also very popular among the Amish household, as well as fishing, hunting and being in community with friends and family. 

The Amish generally eat foods produced in their own gardens or on their farms. As a rule, they do not eat processed, store-bought foods. Homegrown fruits and vegetables, eaten fresh, canned or frozen, play an important part of the Amish diet. Vegetables often found in their meals include peas, corn, zucchini, beets, beans and rhubarb. Meals are designed to sustain hardworking lifestyles. The women in the community are known to bake cakes, pies, cookies and bread. An Amish dessert favored by many is Shoofly pie, typically composed of flour, brown sugar, water, spices and egg. The pie is topped with crumbs and served in a flaky pie crust. Shoofly pie is similar to coffee cake, but with a gooey molasses bottom. 

Kids of All Ages Playing Baseball. Bob Jagendorf. CC BY-NC 2.0

Education in the Amish community begins at the age of six (first grade) and culminates at 13 (eighth grade). Children are taught in a one-room schoolhouse, usually within walking distance of their home. The classroom is composed of 30-35 children, many of which are siblings or cousins. The day begins with Bible reading, hymn singing and reciting the Lord’s Prayer. At the end of the morning routine, the basics are taught: writing, math, history, arithmetic and English. The students’ first language is Amish German dialect, then English is learned at school. The teacher or teacher’s aide will circulate the room teaching individual grades while the other grades read or prepare for their time of teaching. Higher education is discouraged, as it could lead to leaving the Amish community and influencing others to do the same. Amish children are exempt from state compulsory attendance beyond the eighth grade based on religious principles.

The Amish reject modern technology as it can open the door to temptations and change their traditional lifestyle. Instead, they choose to live simple lives and are self-sufficient. The Amish farm and produce everything they own and ride a horse and buggy or a bike to travel around the community. However, there is a time when Amish youth can decide whether or not they would like to continue living within the community. This is a season where rumspringa, a German term for running around, takes place. At the age of 16, parents allow the teens to fully experiment with the outside world and activities, which would otherwise be condemned and result in shunning. Due to the fact that individuals aren’t baptized, teens are not yet under the church authority. This is part of the reason why they are given a pass. This experience lasts two years and 90 percent of teens return home. 

Amish Family on a Horse and Buggy. Brucedetorres. CC BY-PDM 1.0

After arriving more than three centuries ago, the Amish have sustained a private life from the outside world. Not allowing many into their community has resulted in the preservation of their beliefs and isolation. The Amish continue to live in the US with two new recent settlements, Argentina and Bolivia.

Jennifer Sung

Jennifer is a Communications Studies graduate based in Los Angeles. She grew up traveling with her dad and that is where her love for travel stems from. You can find her serving the community at her church, Fearless LA or planning her next trip overseas. She hopes to be involved in international humanitarian work one day.

The Cultural Renaissance of the Sámi

The Sámi have resided in Northern Scandinavia long before the borders of existing countries were drawn. Despite pressure to assimilate to Norwegian culture, traditional Sámi culture remains strong.

More than 4,000 miles north of the equator in Finnmark county, Norway live roughly 40,000 descendents of the Sámi, a nomadic people from thousands of years ago in Northern Scandinavia. The Sámi live in parts of Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia. Of the 80,000 total population of Sámi, roughly half live in Finnmark, Norway. 

The Sámi have their own language with five dialects currently used in Northern Norway. Of the dialects spoken, Northern Sámi, Lule Sámi and Southern Sámi are the most common. Each dialect is completely unique and does not resemble each other nor other Scandinavian languages. In the 1990s, the Norwegian government made speaking Sámi illegal in efforts to force assimilation of the Sámi people, resulting in many Sámi today being unable to speak the language. The Norwegian government has officially apologized for the past legislation, but the damage is still evident as less than half of Sámi people in Norway speak a Sámi dialect. In recent years the Sámi language has had an increasing role in new media and broadcasting, signaling efforts to keep the language alive.

A pillar of Sámi culture is reindeer herding, which played a major part in the Sámi economy for hundreds of years. Starting in the 16th or 17th century, the Sámi transitioned from hunting reindeer to becoming nomadic herders. Reindeers are used for more than just cooking — the Sámi make clothes and shoes from the skin, and the horns can be used to make traditional art. Today, Sámi herding is less nomadic; most families stay in permanent homes while the herder will travel with the reindeer.

Despite previous attempts from governments to assimilate Sámi people, their culture and traditions have remained present in modern life. Notably, Sámi Joik has had a cultural renaissance in recent years. Joik is a traditional form of music that has been passed down orally for generations. The music, performed acapella, is storied to have been taught to the Sámi by fairies and elves. Joik is very personal in nature, as the music is typically dedicated to a specific person, place or animal. Joik is a central part to Sámi culture, and many young Sámi people have begun to incorporate the traditional music into different genres of music. 

New artists are revitalizing Joik after intense pressure from the Norwegian government in the 20th century caused some areas to lose the tradition.  Norwegian music group KEiiNO entered the 2019 Eurovision Song contest with music that included pop, electronic and Joik, and took 6th in the competition, winning the popular vote by viewers. Joik has made a recent impact in Hollywood as well, inspiring “Vuelie,” the opening track of Disney’s Frozen.

Joik is not the only part of Sámi culture that has continued in contemporary forms. The Sámi Center for Contemporary Art was established in 1986 and features contemporary Sámi art. The gallery blends traditional art pieces with modern art forms of expression. Despite past pressure and action from governments, the Sámi continue to keep important aspects of their culture alive. These efforts were continued with the establishment of the Norwegian Sámi Parliament in 1989. The Sámi Parliament is made of 39 elected representatives and oversees matters that deal directly with the Sámi. The parliament is a political party for the Sámi people that promotes Sámi interests. Traditional Sami culture remains an integral part of daily life for the Sami to this day, and illustrates how the rich history of the Sami is being brought into the modern day.

Dana Flynn

Dana is a recent graduate from Tufts University with a degree in English. While at Tufts she enjoyed working on a campus literary magazine and reading as much as possible. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she loves to explore and learn new things.

Congo Couture: “Sapeurs” Bring Europe’s Designer Fashion to Central Africa

The Republic of the Congo’s world-famous fashionistas strut through the streets of Brazzaville wearing outfits from Europe’s most revered designers. But to sapeurs, their fashion savvy is not just style but a lifestyle. 

A sapeur in his Sunday best. ilja smets. CC BY-ND 2.0.

Maxime Pivot makes all the ladies scream. Men call him the pride of the town. Children follow him wherever he goes. The Republic of the Congo has never seen a more dashing, debonair, sharp-dressing gentleman. As a modern-day dandy in the streets of Brazzaville, he is a painterly splash of Congo couture amid near-universal penury. He boasts a double-breasted red suit, a pearl-white shirt, pitch-black sunglasses and a pink bowtie, an outfit to amaze the prim and plebeian alike. Rather than envy, his panache inspires pride. Some may call his focus on fashion amid staggering poverty vain, but really, he is preserving a decades-long tradition. He is a sapeur. 

That means that he is a member of the Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes—La Sape for short. In English, it translates to the Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People. Every weekend, he and his fellow dandies meet to compare outfits from the hottest European designers, trade notes on color combinations and revel in the pomp of haute couture. They smoke, they dance and they conversate. They escape the squalor in which so many Congolese live—when sapeurs dress up, they feel like the richest men in the world.

No, they are not rich. Quite the opposite. By day, sapeurs are chefs, mechanics, electricians, craftsmen, businessmen, handymen, journeymen, or any other kind of blue-collar worker. 70 percent of people in the Republic of the Congo live in poverty, and most sapeurs are included in that number. What distinguishes them is not wealth but aesthetic distinction, good taste, and a deep knowledge of the latest fashion trends. They aspire to look like a million bucks, not spend it. 

The street is a catwalk. Jean-Luc Dalembert. CC BY-SA 4.0.

The tradition began during the Congo’s colonial period. Congolese servants, tired of wearing their Belgian and French colonizers’ secondhand clothes, began saving their wages and purchasing the latest clothes for European dandies.  After serving in the French army during World War II, Congolese soldiers returned home bringing closets-worth of European suits, shirts, ties, shoes and accessories. By the time the central African nation gained independence in 1960, many Congolese elites were making pilgrimages to Paris to rack up designer clothes for their wardrobes back home. Although they were accused of relying on white, “Western” traditions, most sapeurs insist on their artistic independence. As Papa Wemba, one of La Sape’s earliest celebrities, said, “White people invented the clothes, but we make an art of it.”

 
 

However, investing in clothes instead of, say, property or livestock can be difficult to justify in one of the poorest parts of the world. Many sapeurs hide their expensive lifestyles from relatives to avoid endangering family ties. If a cousin learns that their family member would rather buy an Armani suit or Weston shoes than help put food on the table, they may feel betrayed and break off relations. Furthermore, the wives of sapeurs tend to bear the brunt of the sapeur lifestyle far more heavily than their husbands, as they suffer the financial cost without being able to revel in high fashion. 

European style, African art. Opencooper. CC BY-SA 4.0.

La Sape is overwhelmingly male. Overwhelmingly, but not entirely. As the tradition evolves, more women are staking their claim as sapeuses. They, too, don designer suits from Versace, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent and develop mannerisms and gaits to build a persona around their clothes. Even children are beginning to partake in the sapeur culture. Many worry that Congolese tailors lack apprentices to carry on the tradition, so the sight of a child strutting down the streets of Brazzaville in an Armani suit assures them that the legacy of La Sape will continue. 

In fact, Maxime Pivot established an organization, Sapeurs in Danger, to preserve the tradition of La Sape, which he asserts is not just about fashion but also is a way of life. When committing to the lifestyle, sapeurs adopt a code of conduct which Ben Mouchaka, another famous sapeur, summed up in 2000. He calls it the Ten Commandments of Sapeology. 

1- Thou shalt practise La Sape on Earth with humans and in heaven with God thy creator.

2- Thou shalt bring to heel ngayas (non-connoisseurs), nbéndés (the ignorant), and tindongos (badmouthers) on land, under the earth, at sea and in the skies.

3- Thou shalt honour Sapeology wherever thou goest.

4- The ways of Sapeology are impenetrable for any Sapeologist who does not know the rule of 3: a trilogy of finished and unfinished colours.

5- Thou shalt not give in.

6- Thou shalt demonstrate stringent standards of hygiene in thy body and clothes.

7- Thou shalt not be tribalistic, nationalist, racist or discriminatory.

8- Thou shalt not be violent or insolent.

9- Thou shalt abide by the Sapelogists’ rules of civility and respect thy elders.

10- Through prayer and these 10 commandments, thou, as a Sapeologist, shall conquer the Sapeophobes.

Maxime Pivot aims to pass down the tradition of La Sape to any man, woman, or child willing to devote themselves to the lifestyle. He operates a school of La Sape where he teaches aspiring sapeurs how to combine colors tastefully and craft a swaggering gait. His classes teach that La Sape needn’t sap their wallets. As the sapeur life and style spread, he hopes that dandies will don local brands, not just expensive European ones.

Innovating a classic style. Makangarajustin. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Then, La Sape could be truly independent from European designers. Fashion trends have been increasingly moving in that direction, thanks to Maxime Pivot’s efforts, especially now that La Sape has moved into the mainstream. Every August 15, the Republic of the Congo’s independence day, sapeurs march alongside the military, indigenous tribes and even the President in the largest parade of the year. Their flashy clothes and sauntering stride draw cheers from the crowd. Their tradition provides an example of how the country can emerge from an oppressive European past and spring into a liberated African future.

Michael McCarthy

Michael is an undergraduate student at Haverford College, dodging the pandemic by taking a gap year. He writes in a variety of genres, and his time in high school debate renders political writing an inevitable fascination. Writing at Catalyst and the Bi-Co News, a student-run newspaper, provides an outlet for this passion. In the future, he intends to keep writing in mediums both informative and creative.

A Glimpse into Oaxaca City’s Guelaguetza Festival 

The annual Guelaguetza festival is one of the largest Indigenous celebrations in Mexico, preserving Oaxaca culture and tradition. 

Women performing at the Guelaguetza Festival. Jen Wilton. CC BY 2.0

Oaxaca City’s Guelaguetza festival is a celebration of community and strength that occurs annually on the two Mondays after July 16. Also referred to as “Los Lunes del Cerro,” the festival has been a longstanding tradition in Oaxaca culture that predates Spanish colonization of the land in the 16th century. Although the cultural significance of the festival has shifted over the years, its core value of unity remains deeply rooted in the celebrations. 

Prior to Spanish invasion, the festival had close ties to the religious celebration of the goddess of maize Centéotl in order to ensure a successful harvest season. While Centéotl still has a place in modern Guelaguetza celebrations, after Spanish colonization, festivities began to integrate Christian elements such as the feast day Our Lady of Mount Carmel which occurs on July 16. 

The term “Guelaguetza” means “reciprocal exchanges of gifts and services” in the Zapotec language, which is the overarching structure of the festival. Historically, during Oaxacan celebrations, those attending would each bring some sort of item that was needed for the celebration such as food or supplies. These “guelaguetza” allowed the celebration to exist and exemplified the value of collaboration.

During the Guelaguetza festival in particular, inhabitants of Oaxaca’s eight regions unite, bringing their own unique traditions and knowledge to share with the larger community.  

A couple dancing at the Guelaguetza Festival. Larry Lamsa. CC BY 2.0

Particularly, an exchange of culture occurs through song, dance and clothing. Individuals from each of the eight regions spend months prior to the festival perfecting song and dance routines to perform for the festival's attendees. After performing the number in their region's traditional clothing, they toss significant cultural items into the crowd. This exchange allows Oaxaca’s sub-cultures to not only exist but to thrive. 

In addition to culture, there are plenty of other exchanges that occur during the festival, such as sharing traditional food that is prepared by inhabitants of each region and selling artisanal crafts in the city center.  

The Guelaguetza festival has been traditionally celebrated on Cerro del Fortín, or Fortin Hill, in Oaxaca. In the 1970s an amphitheater was built specifically for the celebration. Seating 11,000 people, the amphitheater was built directly into a hill so that those looking down at the stage are able to clearly view the city below. 

Oaxaca is home to sixteen different Indigenous groups in addition to its eight regions, so there is a vast array of cultures within the larger Oaxaca culture. Annual Guelaguetza celebrations have preserved these cultures over the years despite colonization and increasing tourism in the region, ensuring that Oaxacan traditions and stories will be preserved for coming generations. 

Zara Irshad  

10 Nigerian Artists Redefining Africa’s Music Scene

From influencing the #EndSARS protests to confronting the commodification of African culture, these artists have unique approaches to their art.

DaVido performing. Wikimedia user Rasheedrasheed. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Nigerian musicians have been spreading their influence all over the world for the past few decades. Following in the footsteps of Fela Kuti, contemporary artists experiment with a plethora of genres, fine-tuning their style as they progress. Renowned artists such as Burna Boy, DaVido and Cruel Santino are the driving forces of the Afrobeats movement, which combines African subgenres, American hip-hop, and R&B. Here are 10 influential Nigerian musicians to listen to.

1. Tony Allen

Tony Allen. Pierre Priot. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Tony Allen is the father of the Afrobeat genre. Allen passed away in April 2020 after releasing his final album, “Rejoice,” in collaboration with the late South African jazz artist, Hugh Masekela. Allen’s polyrhythmic drumming complements Masekela’s trumpet in this riveting jazz album. From his earlier days of performing with Fela Kuti to his more recent collaborations with Skepta and Oumou Sangare, Allen has pioneered the combination of American jazz with African beats. After a career which explored a multitude of scenes in the music world, Allen falls back into his Afrobeat roots in his very last album.


2. Naira Marley

Rapper Naira Marley is a contentious figure in Nigeria. Marley is known as a founder of the genre Afro-bashment, a combination of Caribbean influences, American trap rap, West African beats and British rap. Naira Marley is known for his controversial beliefs and ideas; in “Am I a Yahoo Boy,” he offers an unabashed critique of the Nigerian government, higher education and social conservatism. His single “Koleyewon,” which was released in December 2020, is a fast-paced trap song in Yoruba. 

3. DaVido

DaVido performing. Wikimedia user Rasheedrasheed. CC BY-SA 4.0.

American-born musician DaVido is a world-renowned Afrobeats artist who synthesizes elements of R&B, rap and Afropop to build up his discography. His heavily auto-tuned vocals and his simple audio production make up his signature sound. DaVido’s most recent album, “A Better Time,” featured Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Lil Baby. Despite its famous featured artists, the album’s first track, “FEM,” received the most attention globally. “FEM,” which means “shut up” in Nigerian slang, was labeled the anthem of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, which called for the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Although the artist himself didn’t intend to express a politically charged message, he was nonetheless impassioned by his country’s fight against police brutality.  

4. Cruel Santino

Up-and-coming musician Cruel Santino came to the world stage in 2019 with his debut album “Mandy & The Jungle.” Although he is one of the younger artists of the Nigerian music renaissance, Cruel Santino offers an impressive range of styles in his first album. The mellow, laid-back beat of “Sparky” contrasts with the country twang of “Diamonds / Where You Been.” His new single “End of The Wicked” showcases his maturation as a musician and an artist: the solemn piano is redeemed by a syncopated jungle beat, which accompanies his verbose rap. 

5. Odunsi (The Engine)

Odunsi (The Engine) is a master of his craft. His discography is all-encompassing: church choirs and spoken word start off his 2018 album “Rare”; an orchestra plays over his verse in his greatest hit “Tipsy”; a vaporwave synth paints “Luv In a Mosh” blue. Odunsi (The Engine)’s album covers visually harmonize with his music. The ethereal blue moon in “Everything You Heard Is True,” which was released in May 2020, mirrors Odunsi’s experimentation with atonal melodies and distortions. On top of this hypnotic album, the musician released two singles in 2020: “Decided” and “Fuji 5000.” Both are dramatically different from each other; the only constant is Odunsi’s effortless flow.

 6. Simi

Simi at NdaniTV. NdaniTV. CC BY 3.0.

Simi’s distinctly sweet voice is the honey that binds her music together. Less is more in her 2017 album “Simisola,” where her vocals and the acoustic guitar are the only elements that matter. The Nigerian singer started off as a gospel singer in 2008, but transformed her career in 2014 after the success of her singles “Tiff” and “E No Go Funny.” Simi released “Restless II” in 2020, which is a change of pace from her slow crooning. In an interview with OkayAfrica, the singer admits that, “This project is a risk as well, it’s even more of a risk because it’s R&B and Nigeria is not necessarily the biggest R&B market.” As Simi continues to dabble in hip-hop, she  comes out with more powerful hits like “No Longer Beneficial” and “There for You.” 

7. Niniola

Niniola. Wikimedia user Naijareview. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Often regarded as the “Queen of Afro-House,” Niniola is a global star who fights to find her footing as an empowered Yoruba woman. Niniola rose to fame from her 2017 hit “Maradona,” a seemingly light pop tune which dealt with the traumas of her upbringing. As a girl growing up in a polygamous household, Niniola experienced the double standards of a patriarchal family. Reckoning with her womanhood, Niniola recounts the experiences of a woman who is cheated on by her husband, woes which are usually kept secret. With an album and a couple of huge hits under her belt, Niniola comes back strong with her new album “Colours and Sounds,” which includes a refreshing take on reggae, pop and dancehall. 

https://youtu.be/lRpBLAwIbeA 



8. Burna Boy

Burna Boy’s album “Twice as Tall” covers a variety of topics, from how the artist grapples with the reality of colonialism to the frenzy of a night out. Burna Boy is a household name in the music industry, and this album attests to the singer’s mastery over songwriting and producing. In his song “Monsters You Made,” Burna Boy addresses Western imperialism and how its consequences are still felt today. His song “Alarm Clock” begins with voice recordings, opera and a saxophone, and quickly switches to an upbeat rap song.

9. Deto Black

Model and rapper Deto Black refuses to be labeled as an Afrobeats musician. The feminism and sex positivity of her music is obvious and brought to the forefront of her message as an “alté,” or alternative, artist. As a Lagos-based rapper who lived in the U.K. and the U.S. growing up, Deto Black navigates the different worlds by calling for gender equality in Nigeria.  






10. Zlatan Ibile

Zlatan is a new Nigerian singer and dancer who found fame through his viral song “Zanku” (Legwork), which was accompanied by a famous dance. Since 2019, the singer has released three albums, started a record label, and released the successful single “Lagos Anthem.” “Lagos Anthem” is an energetic dance song with darker lyrics criticizing the government for its flawed policies. 


These Nigerian musicians are beginning to impact American and British pop music. Although each of these individuals comes from a different discipline and background, they all have a commitment to experimenting in their craft. Some thrive in and renovate the Afrobeats movement, while others resist the umbrella term. The common ground between alté musician Deto Black’s tackling of gender inequality and DaVido’s propelling of the #EndSARS revolution is their commitment to the well-being of Nigeria. 

Heather Lim

Heather recently earned her B.A. in Literatures in English from University of California, San Diego. She was editor of the Arts and Culture section of The Triton, a student-run newspaper. She plans on working in art criticism, which combines her love of visual art with her passion for journalism.

Honoring San Basilio de Palenque: The First Town Liberated from Slavery in the Americas

The story of San Basilio de Palenque is one of unparalleled strength, resistance and bravery. 

River near San Basilio de Palenque. Fundacion Gabo. CC2.0 

Roughly 30 miles away from the port city of Cartagena, Colombia, lies the small town of San Basilio de Palenque. Palenque has rich historical significance, as it was the first free African town in the Americas. The town was declared a “Place of National Character and Cultural Interest” by the Colombian government and a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2005. 

History of San Basilio de Palenque

Town square in San Basilio de Palenque. Restrepo. CC2.0

San Basilio de Palenque was one of many walled forts, known as palenques, that were founded by those escaping slavery in colonial times. Founded in 1603 by Benkos Bioho and 36 other people, San Basilio is the only palenque remaining to this day and was successful due to its isolated location amid swamps and hills. Escaped slaves from Cartagena and surrounding regions would travel to San Basilio de Palenque in the hopes of seeking freedom. Against all odds, “palenqueros” formed their own army, language and support system to stay safe. The town was declared the first free town in the Americas in 1713, nearly 100 years before Colombia became independent from Spain. 

Palenqueros in Colombia Today

Palenquera women in Colombia. Vest. CC2.0

The isolated nature of San Basilio de Palenque provides limited employment opportunities, which in turn causes the migration of many palenqueros to larger cities in search of work. On the streets of Cartagena, palenquero men are engaged in construction projects while palenquera women wearing brightly colored dresses sell fresh fruit and traditional sweets made of nuts, tropical fruits and panela (unrefined sugar). In a video from Great Big Story, the palenquera Everlinda Salgado Herrera discusses the historical and cultural significance of a sweet called alegria (meaning happiness in Spanish), which represents the joy palenqueros felt when they found freedom.

Although palenqueros are becoming integrated into Colombian society, they were initially met with discrimination, sometimes leading to feelings of resentment and denial over their cultural and racial identity. In the 1980s and ‘90s, a young generation of palenqueros advocated for a resurgence of palenquero culture, hoping to promote an appreciation of their rich heritage. Strong cultural pride among palenqueros continues to this day.  Edwin Valdez Hernandez, a dance instructor at the Batata Dance and Music school in Palenque, states, "We defend our values with a shout. We are Black, and we are defending our culture."

Cultural Treasures of San Basilio de Palenque

Drummers in Palenque. Vest. CC2.0

Palenque is known worldwide for its unique language, music and culinary scene. One of Colombia’s 69 Indigenous languages, the palenquero language is only spoken in San Basilio de Palenque. Captives on European slave ships came from all parts of Africa speaking a variety of languages. As a colonizing strategy, people were purposely mixed together so they would not be able to communicate to plan an escape. Despite this, palenqueros created their own language, influenced by Castilian Spanish, Bantu, Portuguese and English. 

The cuisine of San Basilio de Palenque is a delight for the taste buds. Some dishes include seafood rice, mote (a traditional Caribbean cheese), and fish cooked in a creamy coconut sauce with pigeon peas, cassava and panela sugar. Palenquero cooking continues to reach international heights, most notably when the book “Cocina Palenquera Para el Mundo” won first prize at the 2014 Gourmand Cookbook Awards in Beijing. 

Music is an incredibly important part of palenque culture and throughout Colombia. Palenque music is joyful with sweeping rhythms and fast drum beats and is coupled with bright costumes and a seemingly endless stamina for dancing. Some of the many dance styles include chalusonga, paseo, champeta, entrompao and palenquero son. Travelers can learn about Palenque’s rich musical culture by attending the Drums and Cultural Expressions Festival held annually in October. 

The town of Palenque is also known for its interesting methods of running society. Instead of a police presence, Palenque is organized into systems called ma-kuagro, where people have designated roles and watch over each other. The crime rate in the town is nearly nonexistent due to this sense of community among Palenqueros. Interestingly, palenque women’s hairstyles also have historical significance. In colonial times, women would braid intricate patterns in their hair that were used to create maps, store gold and transmit messages to help people reach freedom. A statue of Palenque founder Benkos Bioho breaking out of chains stands in the town center. 

A place of redemption and perseverance, San Basilio de Palenque is a cornerstone of Black resistance in Latin America and a perfect destination for a socially conscious traveler. Confronting past historical truths and being willing to listen to others’ experiences helps shed light on modern social issues to hopefully make the world a brighter and better place. 

Megan Gürer

is a Turkish-American student at Wellesley College in Massachusetts studying Biological Sciences. Passionate about environmental issues and learning about other cultures, she dreams of exploring the globe. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, singing, and composing music.