Culture

Leeches, lobotomies and magic mercury potions: the earliest medicines from both ends of the globe

Whether you refer to it as Diwali, Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights, this day is the brightest of them all....

The diverse terrain of Mongolia has wrought a unique culture born of the steppe, desert and city— we delve into some practices that have been given UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

By Rachel Kwek. Take a trip down memory lane as we recall these communication must-haves of yesteryear The Pager: These personal radio devices allow users to receive...

Punk hardly needs an introduction. Music, fashion and lifestyle converge in this unique subculture, known for its wild Mohawk hairstyles, spikes and piercings, black leather and “emo” disposition. In Asia, a continent whose many different cultures tend to share a deep-seated appreciation for cultural traditionalism, you would be forgiven for thinking that punk barely registers in the social strata in the more conservative parts of the region.

Researchers say one-fifth of the world’s languages – including numerous Asian dialects – developed from the lingua franca of Taiwanese aborigines. Few will associate primarily...

Driving through the streets of the commuter town of Rawang, 30 kilometres north of Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, Azlina Jamaluddin is more than eager to challenge any criticism of polygamous marriage. A born-again Muslim and self-proclaimed “working woman”, the 48-year-old dentist ascribes her professional success and personal growth to polygamy. “I can work, I have more time for myself and I don’t need to take care of my children all the time, as the other wives share the childrearing responsibilities with me,” she shares.

Text and images by Diego A. Garcia Of the countless weapons bought and sold every day around the world, relatively few can be considered a...