The invention of the hot air balloon was one of humanity’s earliest attempts to realize the dream of flight. A typical hot air balloon today is composed of a large balloon with an attached basket to carry people. Gas burners send hot air up into the balloon. Because the hot air inside is less dense than the air outside, the balloon rises.Prototypes of hot air balloons can be found in sky lanterns, which have been used by many cultures for millennia. For instance, approximately 2,500 years ago, during the Han Dynasty in China, sky lanterns were commonly used for lighting roads, celebrating the Lunar New Year, and performing Buddhist rituals. Other auspicious occasions that are celebrated around the world with flying lanterns include Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, the Yi Peng Festival of Thailand, and the Vesak Day of Indonesia. According to traditional beliefs, ascending light symbolizes good luck, hope, and the fulfillment of dreams.In this day of advanced technology and modern forms of transportation such as jets and rockets, riding in hot air balloons might seem a little “old fashioned,” yet many people still love this idyllic experience. On a fine day, one can relax in the comfort of the basket, rise up slowly, and enjoy the view of the Earth below with family and friends, without the sound of a roaring engine. And a sky dotted with colorful hot air balloons is a joyful sight to behold. Riding in hot air balloons is now a popular recreational activity for people of all ages. Many places around the globe have special hot air balloon festivals that offer balloon enthusiasts the opportunity to share their designs and fly together. Hot air balloons inspire people from all walks of life who want to test their creative and practical skills by taking balloons to new heights, traveling greater distances, and setting other records.Some splendid views of nature can be enjoyed on a hot air balloon safari. Imagine having a birds-eye view across the incredible African savannah, seeing amazing animal-people like lion-people, elephant-people, hippo-people, and giraffe-people far below. What a great way to see these magnificent beings in their natural habitat without disturbing them in any way.

To uphold the country’s rich and illustrious culture, the Saudi Arabian government has encouraged the preservation of construction and design methods of the past. Vernacular architecture, which is characterized by the indigenous building style of using sustainably sourced local materials, can still be seen across the western region of Hejaz in the major cities of Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah.At the same time, Saudi Arabia invites talented architects and skilled workers from across the world in an effort to create some of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces. The Al-Rajhi Mosque in the city of Haʼil is one of the country’s most beautiful and technologically advanced mosques. It took three years for about 500 workers to build this beautiful place of worship dedicated to the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. As large-scale, sophisticated, and technologically advanced building projects sweep through Saudi Arabia, we see a clear shift to a modern architectural style, using materials such as steel and glass and combining the emphasis on functionality with clean, minimalistic looks. Modern Arabian architecture focuses on open, column-free spaces, leading to a sense of integration with nature. The effects of the direction of sun and shadow are studied to maximize cooling during summer and heating during winter. The modern elements harmoniously blend with the local climate condition and traditional culture, making Saudi Arabia a true architecture pioneer. Norwegian Architectural group Snøhetta has taken a very unique approach with their design of the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, also known as Ithra. This 100,000-square-meter structure, opened in 2017 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, took nine years to complete. The mission of Ithra is “knowledge, creativity, and cross-cultural engagement.”Let’s now take a look at one of the most interesting architectural projects planned for Saudi Arabia’s future - the city of Neom, commissioned by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. The Neom project is part of Saudi Vision 2030, to expand the country’s economy in the arts, culture, tourism, and recreation fields. The idea behind the net-zero megacity of Neom, is to construct a technologically advanced metropolis that is 100% sustainable, with only public transportation as a means of travel.

Visitors who come to Saudi Arabia are often fascinated by the incredibly diverse architectural landscape. These include the traditional rustic mud houses to grand mosques representing the Islamic faith, along with magnificent modern skyscrapers. Because of the immense diversity of weather conditions, nature imposes tough criteria for the architect when it comes to designing buildings. The Arabian people manage these challenging weather conditions by blending traditional and modern techniques to create safe, comfortable, and impressive architectural spaces.One of the oldest building materials known to humans in the Arabian Peninsula, that has been used for thousands of years, is mud. This is perhaps the most environmentally sustainable material to use for construction, as it truly shows the ability of how people adapt to their surroundings. As of 2011, around 230 ancient mud houses could be found in Najran, a southwestern Arabian city near the border with Yemen. The Emarah Palace, which is located in the center of the city, was built on the site of an ancient well in 1944. The Al Sadran Palace, located in Al Sadran village, is over 1,800 years old and stands at seven stories tall.The construction style for the typical Saudi Arabian household is mostly influenced by the scorching temperatures during the day, cooler temperatures at night, and the importance of Islamic culture. Both houses and large structural buildings in Saudi Arabia feature many unique, highly decorative elements, outside and inside, to attract viewers and enhance the mental state for those who enter. One of the foundational elements seen across Saudi Arabian architecture is the mashrabiya. This is a wooden screen window enclosed with latticework, carved with careful detail in a symmetrical fashion, with crisscross patterns to form a grid or weave.The desire for enlightenment can be seen all around the living space. The interior of the buildings represents the spiritual realm itself, exemplifying how Arabian traditional architecture relates to the Islamic religion. This underlines the ideal that if we harmonize with nature, which is a representation of God, as humanity is, then we can enjoy the spiritual space both within and around us.

Myanmar's thriving arts and crafts scene celebrates the countries' deep-rooted culture and religious traditions, dating back many centuries. The importance of the Buddha and His teachings are evident throughout the "Pan Sel Myo," or "Ten Flowers of Myanmar," which comprises the ten traditional forms of artistic craft-making conducted in the country. The first flower of the "Ten Flowers of Myanmar" is Panchi, the art of painting. The earliest paintings in Myanmar are traced back to the 11th century and are housed in the many monasteries and pagodas of the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Bagan. Next is Pantin, the art of making utensils from metals, such as copper, bronze, or brass. Every pagoda in Myanmar has triangle bells traditionally struck to signify good deeds. The next craft is Panbu, a branch of sculpture that produces figures and designs from wood. Next, we have Panyun, the art of making lacquerware using bamboo or wood and covering it with a liquid varnish made from tree sap, and then etching or painting the piece by hand. Then we have Panbe, the art of the blacksmith. The 6th Flower of Myanmar is Pantamault, the art of stone sculpting. When making stone images of the Buddha, the stone used must be blessed with a sprinkle of holy water and homage offering. The next craft is Panpoot, the art of crafting wooden utensils on a lathe turner and can be traced back to the 8th century. This is followed by Pantaut, the art form of creating designs and figures from stucco. Popular forms of this practice are showcased in beautiful flower designs and figures such as lion-people and dragon-people. Next, we have Pantain, the art of gold and silversmith. Up until very recently, all gold and silversmithing were done solely by hand, without using machines. The last of "The Ten Flowers of Myanmar" is Panyan, the art of bricklaying and masonry, which dates way back to the 1st century AD. One of the structures that best exemplify "The Ten Flowers of Myanmar" is the Shwenandaw Monastery, also known as "Golden Palace Monastery."

The Kalash are a unique people living in the Chitral District of northern Pakistan. Considered to be the indigenous people of the area, the Kalash have a population of approximately 3,000 and their culture is believed to date back 3,000 years. They speak Kalasha, a Dardic language which belongs to the Indo-Aryan language tree.The Chitral District, home to the Kalash, is quite a fertile region. The word Chitral comes from the Khowar language and means field. Kalash fields are filled with an abundance of crops including wheat, corn, buckwheat, apples, apricots and walnuts. They also utilize rivers within the valley to irrigate crop fields and power mills for grinding grains. Cooking is done using wood-fired ovens.Dance is a key aspect of Kalash festivals. During the summer festival, which lasts for a few days, Kalash people pay reverence to God by expressing gratitude for their food and crops. After the prayer, dancing commences and continues into the early morning of the next day. Another important aspect of festivals is that it offers people in the Kalash community an opportunity to meet a spouse. The Kalash people have become known for their traditional practice of Suri Jagek. This meteorological and astronomical knowledge system is based on observing the sun, moon, stars and shadows, in reference to the local topography. It provides the Kalash with insights into the weather and was inscribed on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list in 2018. The practice is considered to be central to Kalash life and UNESCO has brought attention to its significance, especially during the current climate crisis. The Kalash people use the insights gained to respond to extreme weather conditions and manage their crops so that they know when to harvest, how to produce more crops and avoid crops from being eaten by pests.Suri Jagek also informs cultural traditions and the Kalash calendar. For example, it is believed that using stored millet during the new moon will create prosperity. Based on studying meteorology and astrology, the Kalash people can calculate times for important social events to take place.

For over a thousand years, the spring season has been greeted through Vesnianky, a beautiful ritual integrating music, poetry, and round dances. In Summer, the festival of Kupalo is usually celebrated with the Kupalo folk dance and songs. Women weave wreaths of flowers and ferns that are for luck, strength, and prosperity. Elders and young people alike sing songs in the hopes of a successful growing season. During the early 15th century, the Hopak dance, which emerged as a kind of martial art, gradually found a new role as a social dance. Complex acrobatic movements include squats, leaps, and stretches on the ground or in the air. Today the Hopak is the national dance of Ukraine. Vasyl Verkhovynets is known as a champion of Ukrainian folk dance. In 1919 he published his landmark book “Theory of Ukrainian Folk Dance” based on his research, recording the choreography of Ukrainian folk dance for the first time. The mid-August International Ukrainian Dance and Culture Festival (IUDCF) is a four-day event that provides a prominent stage for dancers and performers from around the world to demonstrate their talents in Ukrainian folk dance. Performance of Ukrainian folk songs takes many forms, such as authentic folk singing, singing in ensembles, folkloric ensembles, art singing, choral art singing, and accompanied singing. Nina Matviyenko is one of the most popular traditional Ukrainian folk singers of the modern era. Honored as a People's Artist of Ukraine, and recipient of the highest state prize, the Shevchenko National Prize, Nina frequently performs on TV, in films, and on radio. The Ukrainian National Choir, the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka, and the Boyan Ensemble are famous choral singing groups during the 20th century. Substantial efforts have been made to preserve Ukrainian folk songs. For instance, the Hungarian ethnographer Miklós Both founded the Polyphony Project that collects folk music and songs in Ukraine. “Moon in the Sky” is one of the most beloved Ukrainian folk songs, and is considered a folk masterpiece.

One of the most famous artistic traditions of Ukraine is the decorative painting style known as Petrykivka painting. This painting style was originally a form of local indigenous art practiced by the Zaporozhian Sich people. Originally, the style was practiced mainly by women who were inclined to paint the interior walls of their family dwellings with large-scale decorative murals consisting of rich patterns depicting flowers, fruits, and plants, sometimes alongside animal-people and humans. Flower types most often featured in the paintings were asters, dahlias, roses, and chamomile. In 2013, the art form was included on the Representative List of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the 16th Century, the country had ten “epicenters” of pottery creation, and the city of Opishne in the Poltava region became known as the country’s “Pottery Capital.” At the beginning of the 20th Century, almost 1,000 potters resided in the city. Part of what makes the Opishne pottery creations so unique is that craftspeople do not draw sketches of their designs, so it is believed that no two items are alike. Toy-making is another extraordinary craft of Ukraine. Families make toys for their children from twigs, straw, grass, and even dough! One toy that can be found in every region of Ukraine is the Motanka, a handmade doll that is a symbol of women’s wisdom and family bonds. In the mid-1700s, the city of Krolevets became known as one of the most prominent artistic weaving centers in Ukraine. The most famous folk craft to come from the town is the Krolevets woven towel, which still holds cultural significance to this day in traditional wedding ceremonies. In engagement and wedding ceremonies, Ukrainians used a Rushnyk to tie the hands of the couple and was worn by the most important wedding guests. Wood carving has been an artistic endeavor in Ukraine since ancient times and was passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. The large-scale woodcarvings artistically crafted to create iconostases in some historical Ukrainian churches are truly marvelous. Some of the most beautiful examples can be seen in the Cathedral of Our Savior’s Transfiguration and the St. Job Church, both in Pochayiv Lavra, the medieval St. George Church in Pereiaslav Scansen, and St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, also known as Burma, is the second-largest country in Southeast Asia. Myanmar is blessed with abundant water resources, fertile soil, and a favorable climate. Half of Myanmar's territory is covered by forested plateaus, valleys, and plains.Myanmar’s people are kind, gentle, friendly, and generous. The country is home to more than 135 separate ethnic groups, each with its own traditions, history, and customs, making it one of the world’s most ethnically diverse countries and an exciting place to visit. Myanmar is considered a paradise of tropical fruits by the growing number of tourists who have recently discovered this destination. Many tropical fruits that are exported to countries around the globe originated from Myanmar, including grapes, papayas, cherries, plums, tamarinds and durian.For vegans, the most important word to learn in Myanmar is “Thatalo,” which means “No living things” or plant-based food. The country’s street food stalls and restaurants offer vegan-friendly items such as fried vegetable dishes and raw salads, accompanied by peanut sauce and rice or noodles. You will also find spring rolls, savory patties, samosas, and bread. Shan noodles, originally from Shan City, is a popular vegan dish and commonly served for breakfast.Myanmar hosts many festivals throughout the year. The Kachin Manaw Festival is a New Year’s celebration of the Kachin people and the most important event for the Kachin State. The festival’s name means peace and unity and is celebrated at the beginning of January. According to the Burmese lunar calendar, the celebration of the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival occurs in October or November. It is one of the largest annual Buddhist festivals in Myanmar. Religion has been extremely important in Myanmar throughout its history and is still present in modern-day spiritual practice. Theravada Buddhism is practiced by roughly 90% of the population; while other religious minorities include Protestant Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. The sublime and spiritual beauty of Myanmar is expressed in the following verses by Supreme Master Ching Hai from Her poem “Mandalay – Burma,” written under the pen name Wu Tzu: “From the distant hill A temple bell peals Resonating ethereal sounds In a world that seems unreal!”

Today we will continue this journey, with a look at ancient Egyptian inventions in the fields of handcrafts, metallurgy, medicine, music, and postal systems, and also share some of the ingenious ways they managed their large, complex society. The earliest forms of paper were made from papyrus plants by the ancient Egyptians around 3000 BC. Pottery was mass produced, and stone and clay pots were used to cook and store food. These types of cookware were popular and exported throughout the Mediterranean. Glasswork was also developed in ancient Egypt as early as 3,250 years ago. Ancient Egyptians were early pioneers in metallurgy and began collecting gold and copper around 4000 BC. With the advancement in mining techniques, bronze and tin tools were being made as early as 3150 BC.Many medical products we use today were invented in ancient Egypt. Other ancient Egyptian medical inventions from around 3000 BC include poultice, splints, adhesive bandages, and prosthetics. Antibiotics from fungi and plant extracts were used to prevent infections from as early as 2700 BC. During this period, Egyptian doctors were very popular, as they could stitch wounds, repair bone fractures, and even amputate badly damaged limbs. The earliest known legal system was established in ancient Egypt around 2950 BC, based on truth, justice, and the cosmic order, and where women and men shared equal rights. Pharaohs were expected to maintain order through wise rule, just decisions, and humility before the gods. Equality before the law united the rulers and the common people together, and helped maintain harmony in society, which led to a long-lasting period of peace. Music was an important part of life for the people of ancient Egypt, and its development influenced the musical traditions of neighboring regions. Egyptian music influenced ancient Greek music and early European music during the Middle Ages. The instruments described in the Bible that were played by the Hebrews were originally Egyptian instruments, as revealed by Egyptian archaeology. Ancient Egyptians invented many different musical instruments and performed various types of music that represented their connections to art and spirituality.

The Bandura was believed to be a companion of humanity, producing heavenly reverberations to comfort our souls in this material world. This exceptional instrument originates from the spiritual culture of the ancient Sumero-Akkadian civilization. The Akkadians played early versions of the Bandura in their religious events as well as in festivities and for entertainment. Later, the charming instrument was introduced into eastern European countries. The beautiful bandura where several distinctly recognizable styles are used in performances. Many Ukrainian people considered these singing bandurists to be “God’s messengers,” or “vessels of God’s word.” Like their musical predecessors, modern-day folk bandurists assimilate melodies from a wide range of inspirations. Let’s now enjoy a delightful solo by a famous bandurist, Victor Mishalow, as he performs for the National Library of Australia Collection.

Egypt is a transcontinental country that connects Africa and Asia with a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula, bordered by the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south, Libya to the west, and the states of Palestine and Israel to the northeast. The longest river in the world, the Nile flows north-south through Egypt, and millennia-old monuments stand along the Nile River Valley, including the colossal Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Egypt has one of the longest histories in the world, tracing its civilization and cultural heritage along the Nile Delta back at least as far as 6000 BC. Today, we will journey through ancient Egyptian inventions in astronomy, timekeeping, architecture, and shipbuilding.Ancient Egyptians clearly felt a close connection with the universe, and Egyptian astronomy traces back to earlier than 5000 BC, when celestial alignments appear to have inspired the astronomical site at Nabta Playa. The earliest known traces of sundials were also discovered in Egypt, and date to around 3500 BC, while a surviving limestone sundial showing greater complexity in design, dates back to 1500 BC and was discovered in the Valley of the Kings in 2013.According to historical evidence, the ancient Egyptians invented many simple building tools, such as scaffolds, ramps and the lever, and used them to help construct the pyramids as far back as 4,500 years ago. Simple but effective surveying tools, such as a plumb bob, a cubit rod for short measurements, and a calibrated rope of 100 cubits for longer distances, were used in field measurement. These effective construction methods made it possible to build Aten, the largest ancient city, which was established around 3,000 years ago.An Egyptian pharaoh's “Solar Boat,” dating back to around 4,500 years ago, possesses the most advanced shipbuilding technologies in ancient Egypt. Based on their prolific innovations in shipbuilding and navigation, ancient Egypt became the first country in the world to possess a navy. Many early Egyptian inventions and technological advances demonstrate a high level of wisdom within their ancient civilization, which has formed the basis of many technologies still used to this day.

The Amazigh people have a rich history and are considered to be the indigenous inhabitants of North Africa. Their name, Amazigh, means free people and the plural form is Imazighen. Ancient Egyptians first made reference to the Amazigh people in 3,000 BC using the name Temehu.The Amazigh flag was created in 1997 by the Amazigh Congress. While the flag itself is a symbol of unity and cultural continuance, each color of the flag is symbolic of their land and values. It is said that the blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The green color symbolizes the traditional Tamazgha homeland, and the yellow represents the desert. The red symbol, Yaz, symbolizes a free man. The traditional architecture of the Amazigh is unique and eye-catching, and many people may have seen it from movies. For example, the village of Aït Ben-Haddou, in Morocco is an iconic landmark that has been featured in various films including The Jewel of the Nile, Sodom and Gomorrah, Prince of Persia, Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. Early Imazighen was thought to have been animists. They believed that everything was connected and that living things such as animal-people and plants had a soul and spirit. The Imazighen have approximately 45 different tribal groups that have varying cultural customs and beliefs. Traditionally, societies have been matriarchal and valued women’s leadership and wisdom. Females held important roles within the tribe.Amazigh music has continued for thousands of years and has a significant place within religious gatherings, marriage ceremonies and festivals. The late Mohamed Rouicha is a famous Amazigh singer and musician from Morocco. Another celebrated Amazigh singer is Fatima Tabaamrant. Her songs are performed in Tamazight, and within her film clips, she can be seen adorned with beautiful clothing designed by Amazigh designers.In 2011, Tamazight was declared to be one of the official languages of Morocco, while Algeria formally recognized Tamazight as an official language in 2016.

Peruvian crafts illustrate just how rich the nation’s traditions are. Their artworks have developed into an effective means of communication and transfer of knowledge both within the community as well as between generations, long before writing was developed. Through art, the Peruvian people preserved information and wisdom on topics such as abundance, fertility, and faith, for future generations. According to Dr. Diana McDonald from Boston College, USA, Nazca pottery vessels reveal a lot about the skills and religion of the people who created them. For example, a pot decorated with the orca-people communicates a message about the religious and social systems of the people from the south coast of Peru, as well as their spiritual beliefs. Orca-people were revered as mythical creatures thought to oversee the availability of water. Nowadays, Peruvian handicrafts combine a variety of cultures, including ancient Inca, Pre-Hispanic, Asian, and others. This mix of cultures can be found in colorful boxes called retablos. Ayacucho retablos are decorated with tiny human figurines, animal-people from the highlands, images of Christian saints, pre-Columbian gods, stars, mountains, and other natural scenery. Surviving examples of early Peruvian textiles show a sophisticated production process, from collecting raw materials, making the yarn, coloring it, preparing the design, and finally making the product itself. The woven fabrics are some of the finest to be found anywhere in the world. Icons in the form of animal-people and plants provide evidence that textiles were the main medium of communication for the Andean people. This method of expression and communication through textiles has continued for more than 4,500 years, with some outstanding examples from the Chavin, Paracas, Ocucaje, Nazca, Chimu and Inca cultures. A highly developed textile culture reflects the skilled craftsmanship along with the great energy and devotion of the artisans, whose work reflects devotion to their faith. This fascinating textile art and culture continue today in the local community around Lake Titicaca.

The country of Peru is located in the Southern Hemisphere with the Pacific Ocean on the West and the longest continental mountain range in the world, the Andes Mountain, running through it. It is home to several ancient civilizations, from the Norte Chico civilization that started around 3,500 BC to the glorious Inca Empire that ended in the 16th century. Throughout this long span of time, numerous forms of arts and crafts have been invented by the Peruvian people and passed on from generation to generation. Important artifacts have been found in the country’s many archaeological sites, such as Machu Pichu, Chancay, Paracas, Mochica, Chimú and Lambayaque. The ancient Peruvian artisans made use of precious stones and other minerals that occur naturally in the region. The materials were often associated with spiritual meanings. Gold represented the Sun God and symbolized power; therefore, only kings were privileged enough to wear it. Silver represented the Moon’s tears. The carvings of animal-people, humans, plants, and shapes were also meaningful. The condor-people were associated with the celestial body that was believed to accompany human souls as they moved onto the next world. The puma-people symbolized life on Earth, while the snake-people symbolized the underworld. The spiral design represented evolution, while the quadrant of the cross named “chakana” represented the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. Geometric designs like the circle represented endlessness, and triangles were representations of the spiritual and material universe. An outstanding example of ancient Peruvian creativity is the Nazca Lines, a group of hundreds of lines carved into the surface of the Earth to form shapes, called geoglyphs.The Incas were a non-literate culture, so they passed down their knowledge and traditions through the generations orally. Visual art was used to record scenes from their daily life, as well as their thoughts and feelings. Through carvings and sculptures, the stories of these ancient civilizations along with their cultures and traditions, can be understood. One of the best examples of an ancient sculpture found in Peru is the Sayhuite (Sigh-weetey) Monolith. Another magnificent stone carving with spiritual insights is the “Intihuatana,” which means “the place where the Sun was held” in the Quechua language.

The Dukha are a small group of families who live in Northern Mongolia. There are thought to be about 200 Dukha people, also known as the “Tsaatan,” which means reindeer-people herders in Mongolian or the “Tuvans.” They live a nomadic life and traverse the beautiful and remote Mongolian countryside that consists of lakes, rivers, forests, and plains. This community is the smallest ethnic minority in Mongolia. It is important to understand the relationship that the Dukha has with the reindeer-people – they see the reindeer-people as an extension of their family. Although they consume reindeer-people dairy products, they do this in a respectful manner that leaves enough milk for the baby deer to drink and to grow up healthy, strong and happy. They believe that their connection with the reindeer-people is spiritual. And their view of the land is that they share the landscape instead of owning it. They place value on the lives of the reindeer-people. It is said that the Dhuka and the reindeer-people have a symbiotic relationship. The Dhuka would not survive in the climate without the reindeer-people, and without the Dukha the reindeer-people would not be safe due to wild animal-people from other kingdoms. The Dukha truly recognize the intelligence within these beautiful reindeer-people. In recent years the Dukha have been saddened by declining health of the reindeer-people. There has been an increase in ticks and parasites on the reindeer-people, dog-people and horse-people as well as other illnesses. These are believed to be due to climate change, different migration patterns (due to mining and other factors in the environment) as well as diseases that the reindeer-people might be catching from livestock that they pass between their travels. The Dukha have thus been speaking out to community and government leaders regarding climate change. Their wish is to work with the governments in order to preserve the precious land and all of the beautiful offerings that nature bestows upon us. This commitment to preserving nature and protecting our beautiful world for our future children is especially inspiring and commendable.

The people of Azerbaijan are known for their hospitality. People greet each other with warm, open gestures. Serving deliciously brewed tea to is one of the ways Azerbaijani people welcome their guests. The Azerbaijani people take pride in their colorful and elegant national clothes which they often wear for special occasions. Usually young girls opt for bright colors while married women wear more subdued colors. Men’s outfits are less elaborate than women’s, but an Azerbaijani man doesn’t go out without headwear called a “Papaq” and it’s considered a disgrace to lose it. On women’s kelaghayis, rugs, textiles or wall decorations, it’s common to find a motif in the shape of an almond with a curved upper end. It’s called a “Buta” and considered to be a symbol of Azerbaijan. The happy and fortunate Azerbaijani people are blessed with a rich cultural heritage. This includes many traditional and modern dances, with each region having its own style. The traditional Vagzali dance is performed at weddings, to send the bride from her house to the house of the groom. For people in the Caucasus Mountains, the Lezginka is a very popular dance. It showcases the elegance of women and strength of men. There are various fruit festivals like the Grape Festival, the Hazelnut Festival, the Persimmon Festival, the Apple Festival, and the most popular one of all, the Pomegranate Festival. Pomegranate is also regarded as an auspicious symbol of fertility, prosperity, productivity, and abundance. For the people of Azerbaijan and surrounding countries, the first day of spring is called the “new day,” or Novruz, and is celebrated as a holiday in many countries along the Silk Road. The incoming spring symbolizes good being triumphant over evil and joy over sorrow. Prior to the celebration of Novruz, four Tuesdays in winter (Ilaxir cersenbe) are cheerfully celebrated with traditional rituals. On each of these Tuesdays, a ceremony is held to pay respect to one of nature’s four divine elements, water (su), fire (od), wind (yel) and earth (torpaq). On September 30, 2009, Novruz was inscribed on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The following year the United Nations declared March 21 as the International Day of Novruz.

Situated in the Caucasus region bridging Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Azerbaijan is a land endowed with gorgeous landscapes ranging from high mountain ridges and lowland terrains to the Caspian Sea, as well as rich and diverse wildlife. The name Azerbaijan comes from the ancient Persian words “azer” which means fire, and “baygan” which means protector, referring to the area around Baku, the current capital city. Azerbaijan’s cultures and traditions have been recognized as a world treasure to be protected and preserved. The art of carpet making is a family tradition in Azerbaijani that has been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. The traditional, handmade Azerbaijani carpet was designated a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage by UNESCO in 2010. The Lahij village is known as the center of Azerbaijan’s copper craft. The village preserves the traditions of copper casting, forging, carving and polishing, which are usually carried out by a copper-smelting master who is assisted by his apprentice. The folklore of Azerbaijan offers a wealth of tales, epics, proverbs, songs, wise sayings and even fairytales for children, some of which go back thousands of years. The folk poetry “Bayati” is one of the oldest art forms that follow strict rules. Usually recited in reflective and contemplative tones by the performer, the Bayatis express the deep feelings and concerns of the common people. Another ancient art is Ashiq, a form of folk music and poetry created by Ashiks, which means “the lovers of nature and life” in Azerbaijani. Along with Ashiq, the Azerbaijani Mugham, another form of folk musical composition, is also on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tar is a traditionally crafted, long necked, plucked lute, which is the most popular musical instrument in Azerbaijan. UNESCO added the craftsmanship and performance art of the tar to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. One of the most famous and respected mugham singers is Alim Qasimov, who has recorded nine albums, frequently appears on TV and in newspapers, and travels internationally to perform.

Bhutan is the only nation in the world to focus on Gross National Happiness or GNH in its national decision-making. Bhutan’s ancient legal code states that: “If the government cannot create happiness for its people, then there is no purpose for the government to exist.” That message from the nation’s ancestors offers a guiding principle to all of Bhutan’s rulers, requiring them to ensure the happiness of all its citizens.The Bhutanese people live according to Buddhist principles of compassion and nonviolence. Since ancient times, they have strived to live in harmony with their environment and to protect both animal-people and plants as best they can. The government combines conservation and carefully implemented ecotourism to earn state revenue. The country has ten national parks that lie on the border with India. In Bhutan’s constitution, Article 5 Section 3 states that at least sixty percent of its territory must be covered by forest. Bhutan has exceeded that objective for several years, as currently, about 72 percent of the kingdom’s land area is forested.As a part of its mission to raise the level of happiness of its citizens, the Bhutanese government has launched an intensive organic farming program. A pilot program began in 2003, and then the National Framework for Organic Farming for Bhutan (NFOFB) was established in 2007, followed by the launch of the National Organic Program (NOP) in 2008. Farmers in the country are becoming increasingly convinced that working in harmony with nature helps to sustain the flow of nature's bounties.The size of Bhutan’s economy is relatively small, with a Gross Domestic Product of less than two billion dollars. But education and healthcare are completely free. All citizens are guaranteed a free basic school education, and those who work hard are provided with a free college education. The state also guarantees the basic human need of housing. If a citizen does not have a house, the government will assist them in finding a place to live, under the oversight of the Ministry of Happiness. Young Bhutanese learn how to achieve happiness in their lives from a young age. Bhutan is one of the countries which has been impacted the least by the pandemic. The king, government officials, and the general population all worked hand in hand to respond to the pandemic, and the king personally traveled to many remote areas to warn his people.

Jeju, which means “a town across the sea,” is the largest island in Korea. At the center of the island lies Hallasan, the highest mountain in Korea which reaches 1,947 meters above sea level. In addition to Hallasan National Park, designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Since ancient times, Hallasan has been worshiped as a sacred mountain where the gods and deities reside. Seolmundae Halmang is a goddess who is said to have created Jeju Island. Halmang means grandmother in the Jeju dialect. “It is said that long ago, Seolmundae Halmang built Hallasan mountain and Jeju Island by carrying stones and soil in the hem of her skirt and pouring it into the middle of the sea. The meaning of Halla is ‘a mountain that pulls the Milky Way.’ When Seolmundae Halmang first made Mt. Halla, it was like you can touch Milky Way from the top of the Mountain.” “It can be said that the legend reveals the existence of the female myth before the myths of patriarchy were formed. So, for example, before the male-centered myths were formed in the Bronze Age or Iron Age, there were stories of women who ruled over humans.” It is believed that there are 18,000 gods in Jeju. Among them is Yeongdeung Halmang who is the goddess of the winds and the sea. “It is believed that Yeongdeung Halmang, the goddess of wind, crosses this sea and sows the seeds of abundance in Jeju Island, bringing the energy of spring and life.” “Jeju Island has a lot of stories about goddesses.” There is also a story about a vegan goddess who only ate tree fruit. “The heart of the goddess who cherishes life is still passed down as a story among people like this.” Jeju, which has been blessed by many gods, preserves its clean and beautiful nature. Jeju is also taking the lead in adopting clean energy for a sustainable future and environmental preservation. In 2009, Supreme Master Ching Hai remotely participated in the international conference “Children’s Health & Sustainable Planet” held in Jeju, and spoke about the province’s beautiful nature and people. “We have just been exchanging notes and I’m sure if I go there today or another day I would absolutely enjoy the company of your people, and the fresh air and the unique landscape, and the tall mountain and sparkling sea that your island possesses, and the warm people of Korea that I had many times the honor to experience. I love Korea. I love Korean people. I truly do.”

The Maasai culture has a long history. Modern Maasai today live in northern, central, and southern Kenya as well as northern Tanzania, with about 150,000 residing in each country. The Olmaa word for God is Ngai, and it is considered neither male nor female. Ngai is the Creator of all. It is also believed that Ngai endows each person with a guardian spirit to protect them, and to transport them away at the end of their life. The Maasai are largely known for their culture. Images of the statuesque Maasai adorned in bright red garments around the shoulders and waist abound. “In that tribe, the reason we are famous is because of our traditional values which we inherited from our forefathers from generation to generation. The values of responsibility, respect, courage, and wisdom. These are the values that have kept us together as a community from time immemorial.” Maasai warrior training is an important tradition for boys. During one of the final coming-of-age ceremonies for warriors, the Adumu, also known as the traditional Maasai dance, takes place. After the ceremony, the males have reached the status of a warrior. The Maasai are skilled at making jewelry, especially beaded jewelry. The ornamental pieces that are worn tells a story about the person’s social status and life experiences. Nowadays, jewelry making provides Maasai women with a unique opportunity to earn more income. Maasai Elder Emmanuel Milia Mankura has explained that as a leader, he encourages education in the youth and helps to empower women in varied ways such as stopping female circumcision. He helps the community to see the strengths of women. In leading his people, he also works to expand the community’s thinking beyond previous mindsets. This includes advocating for more equality between genders, and encouraging the growing of crops which was once considered taboo. “And in order for us to be successful, to have a sustainable community, it was very important to include the women and the ladies in the community.” Another area that has seen a change to traditional roles is young Maasai men becoming Lion Guardians as opposed to lion predators. Founded in 2007 by Dr. Leela Hazzah and Dr. Stephanie Dolrenry, Lion Guardians is dedicated to finding and enacting long-term solutions to enable lions and humans to coexist with each other.