A Thousand Stories through A Hundred Objects

The BBC has launched a mammoth of a series in collaboration with the British Museum which will try understanding the history of the human race through a hundred sundry objects in the British Museum. The result is an amazing journey through time told through objects in the museum. Narrated by Neil MacGregor, the Director of the British Museum, this colossal project of Radio 4 promises to be very educating as well as see worthy.

The series called “A History of the World in 100 Objects”, takes viewers two million years back in time. The objects chosen from different locations world wide in various time periods will map the development of our human race till the present days. The weekly themes are devoted to specific topics which make the series even more interesting.

A look at the website devoted to this at bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld gives a good idea of how vast this project is. The pictures of various objects just seem to be hanging in a void and as one move up in time there is a sensation of entering a time warp where you can stop at any moment and explore.

The other interesting thing about the website is that the viewer has a great degree of control over how to arrange his journey through the two million years. For instance, one can chose to go through the objects on a region to region basis or chose a particular culture like the Aztecs or the Vikings. One can explore different materials like metal, cloth or gemstones down the ages or concentrate on themes like art, religion, sport or money. With so many categories to choose from viewers can personalize their exploration of world history as per their own interest.

Human history it is not only about stunning gems, jewelry or mummies. Many things which were part of the daily lives of the ancient people are as relevant or even more in making the world of today possible. These, then are an important part of our history. The kind of objects that one encounters in this program is really diverse. For instance, you will find the exotic Egyptian Anubis mask and also the simple stone hand axe made some 500,000 years ago with which our ancestors hunted for food.

Participation by museums across Britain will surely add much to this series. A program such as this will help not only trace the development of our race but will show the links between our various civilizations. Something very important in the world in which we are living now.

Pictured above: Gold Faberge cufflinks in form of Imperial Eagle. Copyright Harrogate Museums and Arts, Harrogate Borough Council

Over The Top Footwork : The Flamenco Dancers of Spain

Dancing has been an essential element in the Spanish culture. From simple birthday parties to social charity events, dancing can always be observed. There are numerous traditional Spanish dances such as the Sardana, Jota Aragonesa, Zambra, Bolero, Fandango, Paso doble, Muñeira that are still being practiced up to this day. But there is one Spanish dance that is the most famous of them all, the Flamenco. Even while watching TV shows such as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ or ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, you can see that many still choose to dance the Flamenco when it comes to performing classical dances; classical dances that reflect the culture of the place from where they originated.

Flamenco is definitely one of the Spanish dances that will surely grab your attention when it is performed. ‘Baile’, which is the vernacular term for Flamenco is a very famous dance throughout the country of Spain. It is characterized by impromptu movements in sync with the rhythmic guitar and the clapping by the audience of the ‘Bailaor’, the male dancer, and the ‘Bailaora’, the female dancer.

In retrospect, the Flamenco dance was at its peak between the years 1869 to 1910 and was most often than not performed at cafes and was traditionally done to audiences of no more than 20. Believed to be a combination of cultural dances from native Arabic, Sephardic, Islamic and Gypsy, its origins can actually be traced back to Andalusia, with Latin America and Cuba contributing to a big extent to form the Flamenco we know today.

In addition, different dances also have different attires attributed to them. With the Flamenco, male dancers usually don tuxedos colored in black or red with flexible trousers to facilitate freedom of movement, while the female dancers wear white or blue dresses with ruffles matched with high heeled shoes and usually have their long hair tied in a bun. Last but not the least, Flamenco would not be complete without the use of the ‘Castanets’, which is a percussion instrument designed to produce rattling or clicking sounds used in tune with the Flamenco beat.

Are you considering taking up lessons to learn and experience what dancing the Flamenco really feels like?  The Flamenco is a very exquisite dance that exhibits the spontaneity and intuitiveness of the people of Spain. Pure energy in harmony with the guitar and clapping beats is what the Flamenco dance is all about.

The Mughal Empire in India

Introduction

Babur, descendent of the famous Mongol warriors Timur and Ghengis Khan, swept across the Khyber Pass in 1526 and established the Mughal Empire in India. For the next 200 years, the Mughals ruled most of the Indian subcontinent.

The Mughals were known to use brutal tactics to subjugate their empire, but their approach in India was different. They followed a policy of integration with Indian culture, displaying religious tolerance and patronizing Hindu culture. Akbar, Babur’s grandson, was famous for this. He outlawed animal slaughter on Hindu and Jain holy days and rolled back unfair taxes on non-Muslims. He married a local princess, allied with the local Maharajas and attempted to fuse Turko-Persian culture with ancient Indian styles, creating a unique style of architecture. Akbar’s successors added to the Mughal heritage.

The erosion of religious tolerance coupled with increased brutality during the rule of Akbar’s grandson Aurangzeb, resulted in the downfall of the Mughal Empire.  Aurangzeb tried to establish Muslim dominance by destroying prominent Hindu temples and imposing unreasonable taxes on non-Muslims.

After the 1857 uprising in India, the British imprisoned and exiled the then Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, bringing the Mughal rule in India to an end.

Art and Craft

Unlike other invaders who were skilled at fighting wars and little else, the Mughal rulers had a taste for the finer things in life; they appreciated beautifully designed artifacts and enjoyed cultural activities.

The Mughal period is often referred to as the golden period in the history of Indian art, craft, architecture and culture. The Mughal rulers brought with them a rich heritage, which they had acquired from Persia. They introduced many new forms of art such as carpet weaving, inlay work, brocades, enameling and glass engraving. The renowned Peacock Throne of the Mughals is perhaps one of the best examples of gem inlay work and metal craft.

Art forms such as the famous Mughal miniature paintings, enameled jewelry and Pietra dura – exquisite stone inlay work which can be seen at the Taj Mahal – flourished under the Mughal Empire. Their miniature paintings influenced many schools of art such as Rajasthan paintings and the Kangra Pahari schools of miniatures. The Persian style, which blends scripts into the design, gained prominence and was used in several murals. The style became popular and seeped into Hindu temples too, especially in Kaithal, Kalayat and Rohtak.

Architecture

Mughal architecture was a combination of Indian, Islamic and Persian styles of art. The Mughals built majestic mosques, forts, gates, palaces, public buildings, gardens and water tanks. The use of running water in the palaces they built was a unique feature of Mughal architecture.

Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Lahore were the chosen venues for most of the important Mughal buildings. Among the notable Mughal structures are the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Red Fort in Delhi, Humayun’s tomb at Delhi, the tomb of Khan-i- Khanan in south Nizamuddin, the mausoleum of Akbar at Sikandara outside Agra, Jahangir’s tomb at Shahdara across the Ravi from Lahore, the tomb of Aurangzeb’s wife at Aurangabad and Nawab Safdar Jang’s tomb at Delhi.

Akbar was the first Mughal ruler to undertake construction on a large scale and the first great Mughal monument was the tomb he built for his father, Humayun. However, the most notable of Akbar’s constructions was the fort-palace at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. Red sandstone was inlaid with white marble; the surfaces were ornately carved outside and painted inside. The fort had many low arches and bulbous domes that characterized the Mughal style during Akbar’s reign.

With the firm establishment of the Mughal dynasty, architectural development reached its zenith. Towards the end of Jahangir’s rule, the practice of constructing marble buildings and decorating their walls with floral designs of semiprecious stones became common.

The crowning glory of Mughal architecture and one of the most beautiful buildings in the world is the Taj Mahal in Agra, a tomb that Shah Jahan built for his wife Mumtaz, who died during childbirth. The Red Fort in Delhi is another of his great achievements.

The influence of the Mughal style of architecture can be seen in the construction of the famous Golden Temple in Amritsar. Complete with arches and domes it incorporates many features of Mughal architecture.

Egyptian Leather Work – African Gifts

Murals from 4000 BC depict Egyptians wearing high heels made of flexible leather pieces and held onto the foot with leather ties, while panels of gilded leather work appear in some of the tombs. One of the earliest examples of Egyptian leather work is a 980 BC canopy of appliqued leather. And the Egyptian Mathematical Leather Roll, featuring a table of fraction expansions, dates from the Middle Kingdom period.

Egyptians now offer us affordable and practical leather items like wallets, boxes, jackets, cigarette cases, shoes, bags, even dog collars, some accented with gold leaf.

Egyptian Mother of Pearl Furniture and Gifts

As early as 4500 BC, ancient Egyptians used mother of pearl as a personal ornament to make themselves more pleasing to the gods. Fragments of these ornaments, made of inlaid Mother of pearl and silver, still exist today. Mother of Pearl is made from the inside lining of shells like conch or of oyster pearls. A popular item today is the crochet necklace or bracelet of layered pearls and beads on a crocheted foundation.

Inlaid mother of pearl jewelry boxes made of wood or metal are another popular Egyptian handcraft. Constructed of abalone shell mother of pearl, hundreds of finely-cut pieces are hand set into wood or metal individually so that each box is different from others. Especially striking is the way colors are reflected from the surface as a result of how the pieces of pearl are arranged. Mother of pearl is also inlaid into decorative pieces that include silver gilt or gold into their designs.

Traditional Handmade Crafts of Egypt – African Home Decor

Early Egyptians were motivated by gaining favor with the gods and preparing for the afterlife. As such, ancient Egyptian arts and crafts developed as a medium through which to honor the gods and the dead rather than as a way to create functional items for daily use. In ancient Egypt, talented artisans were exalted members of the royal hierarchy and their work was very much in demand by pharaoh and the aristocracy.

When we think of Egyptian arts, we picture the pyramids, Sphinx and treasures of King Tut’s tomb. These are all amazing examples of ancient Egyptian artistry. But the early Egyptians had other talents as well. Many of these ancient arts and crafts are still practiced today exactly as they were in pharaoh’s time, the tools, techniques and secrets having been passed down from generation to generation.

Jewelry making, glass work, metal work, weaving, sculpture, carpentry, papyrus painting and batik are just a few of the traditional arts and crafts still practiced by Egyptian craftsmen of today. Artists continue to improve and refine their skills with specialized trainings and classes throughout their lives. Here are just a few examples of what they do so well.

History and Significance of Sankofa Bird

The Akan people were led by King Adinkera in the 19th century. He went to war with King Asantehene who led the Ashanti people. This historic conflict took place in west Africa, what is now called Ghana. King Asantehene was victorious and took the cloth King Adinkera wore as a trophy. The cloth was special because it had symbols stamped into it. The cloth was not merely a garment but also medium for communication. These symbols are today called Adinkra, in reference to the defeated king.

The Sanfoka bird is one of the most recognized of the Adinkra symbols today. In the Akan language, Sanfoka means “it is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” The Sanfoka bird is depicted as a bird in flight looking backward over its shoulder. In its beak is an egg. The egg represents the future. A future unborn and unknown. The bird is in flight, representing the fact that history is constantly moving forward. The bird is looking into history, taking the lessons there to help form and create the future.

The Sanfoka bird appears in many African-American study courses. This powerful symbol is used to demonstrate the importance of learning and understanding the history of a people. Not just the history of Ghana. Where we come from is as important as who we are. If we don’t understand our own history, how can we truly understand ourselves? This is message the Sanfoka bird has for each of us today.

Hsun-ok – Holding Its Offerings to Buddha

The Hsun-Ok is a vessel that contains the religious offers to Buddha and to the Sangha the monks who live in his temples. These containers or bowls are designed to be placed on each side of the temples statue or image of Buddha. The faithful followers of Buddha offer gifts to him by placing items such as fruit, food, flowers, and incense into the vessel.

The majority of Hsun-Ok vessels are created by the loving hands of artists using a method of pottery called Lacquerware. This ancient technique allows for the decorative elements of the Hsun-Ok to have a three dimensional feel.

These delicately designed containers are sometimes gilded and created with distinctive patina made by allowing the black lacquer to show through the worn areas of the top red lacquer. Certain artists have been known to use gold leaf and glass inlay to enhance their designs, but the majority of pieces are simply designed in keeping with their religious significance.

The Lacquer ware technique of creating religious vessels has been happening for centuries. To create Lacquerware, artists first start by creating the vessel’s framework which is often made of coiled or woven bamboo. Once this framework is made, layers lacquer and ash are applied over the framework and smoothed to create its distinctive finish and patina.

Artists have also been know to carve or sculpting intricate designs on its surface thereby creating three dimensional designs or reliefs. The best Lacquerware in the world is created by Burmese artists, but the unique beauty and artistry in the creation of this pottery is what makes the Hsun-Ok a beautiful religious artifact.

History of Bulgarian Pottery

Approximately 3000 years ago, the people who were called the Thracians were the first to establish civilization in what we now know as the country of Bulgaria. This region was part of the Roman Empire from 40 AD until 395 AD. This area was also settled by the Slavs and Russians during the 500’s AD. In the 600’s a nomadic tribe called the Bulgars from central Asia migrated to the area and eventually melded with the Slavic peoples.

The Thracian influence on pottery is well known, and there have been archeological sites that have discovered pottery and potters wheels in the Early Iron Age. The Thracian pottery was heavily influenced by the Greek culture. As the Slavs and Bulgars settled the area the Thracian pottery began to evolve. Painted Preslav ceramics come to be found by the early tenth century. Prechina ceramics was brought to Bulgaria by the Middle Eastern artisans. The history of Bulgarian Pottery is extensive, dating back to between 375 and 340 BC. Located near the town of Nova Zagora is a mound called Karanovska where unique pottery dating to the Paleolithic age was found. Due to this pottery style, the region near Nova Zagora is called “the Noah’s Ark of the European Civilization”.

Origins

The Sarmations (Ancient Iranian) came to the region known today as Bulgaria around the 5th century BC. The Sarmations merged with the Cbernjahov culture to become the Gothic Culture. Grave goods of the Sarmations consisted of beyond other items a pottery with a dark grey surface and decorated with polished stripes.

Then came the Penkovka Culture, dating from the 6th to 7th century. A.D. The Penkovka lived on the Steppes and the people were sedentary, engaging in mostly agriculture and the breeding of animals such as cattle. As sedentary peoples they became specialized in many different occupations, such as pottery. The various styles made were the bi conical pot, the handmade pots with rounded shoulders. The color of the clay used still remained grey, and was made on a potter’s wheel and still had the decoration of stripes which were either polished or incised into the clay. Today this pottery style is called Pastiriki after the site they were first found in.

Turkish Glass

Glass is a vital part of the modern environment. We see it and use it in some way everyday, and its use is widespread from the simple drinking glass to the development of sophisticated technical equipment. Indeed, the use of glass encompasses so many aspects of our lives that we hardly notice its presence. But glass was not always present in everyday life. The discovery of glass is widely thought to be an accident. According to the Greek historian Pliny, a group of merchants lit a fire in a riverbed and found pieces of the shimmering, translucent material the next morning, after the fires had been put out. In its earliest stages in Egypt and Mesopotamia, glass was used as a form of art more than anything else, and was not used for the practical purposes that we use it for today.

Handmade Turkish glass has long been acknowledged as some of the most beautiful craftsmanship in the history of glass making. The history of Turkish glassware began around the eleventh century and Istanbul was established as the center of the Ottoman Turkish glass industry soon after the conquest. During the era of Ottoman rule, Turkish glassware was slowly developed and its art was made more precise than in previous centuries. By the seventeenth or eighteenth century, Turkish glassware was making great strides.

Since the uprise of the Turkish glass industry, Turkish glass has become increasingly more popular for its delicate and fragile appearance. As far as glass making goes, it is some of the most delicate glass in existence, due both to its thinness and its intricate detail. Turkish-Islamic glass art places perfection in the balance of lines and color in precise geometric patterns. Today, Turkish glass is considered a rare and beautiful work of art, prized by the cultural art connoisseur. While the production of stained glass window tiles and mirrors have always been widespread among Turkish glass makers, the carving of rock crystals into jugs, flasks, bottles, and other unique and sturdy serving dishes has been of the greatest use to the world as a whole. With the popularity of Turkish glass rising, the industry now encompasses approximately ninety percent of the world’s glass production. Turkish glass makers’ attention to detail, high level of production, outstanding design, and excellent quality have placed the Turkish glass industry among the wealthiest and most desirable pieces of glassware in the world.

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