Culture and Country is where you can explore how people live, think and celebrate around the world. In this section we look at traditions, festivals, food, beliefs, symbols and everyday life in different countries and cultures, past and present.
Our articles highlight the stories behind national customs and curious habits, from unusual superstitions and holiday rituals to etiquette, social rules and regional quirks. We also look at how geography, history, religion and politics shape a country’s identity, and why certain places become famous for particular styles of music, art, dress or food.
You will find quick, enjoyable reads that explain why flags look the way they do, how national myths are created, where famous landmarks came from and what makes each culture unique.
Whether you are interested in how people celebrate New Year across the globe, why some countries drive on the left, or how historical events still influence modern life, this category offers clear, engaging pieces that are easy to dip into. Culture and Country on MuseumFacts helps you understand the human side of history by showing how communities express who they are through their customs and way of life.
Introduction The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) was one of the most powerful and culturally influential periods in Chinese history. Emerging after the collapse of Mongol rule, the Ming rebuilt China’s institutions, reshaped its cities, and projected its influence far beyond East…
Introduction Sea shanties were not entertainment. They were technology. Before steam engines and electric winches, sailing ships relied entirely on human muscle. Moving a ship meant hauling tons of rope, canvas, and iron by hand. Sea shanties emerged as a…
A spelunker is a person who explores and studies caves. They are known to navigate through the smallest of spaces during their explorations. One such spelunker was John Edward Jones. In November 2009, John Edward Jones, a 26-year-old medical student,…
Throughout history, humankind has come across various objects and artifacts. Some have filled us with wonder, however, some have baffled us due to their strange nature. Below we have compiled a list of the strangest artifacts found on Earth. Let…
The Inca civilisation was one of the most prolific civilisations of the Ancient World. For the Incas, their clothes symbolised wealth and status. Additionally, the fine cloth was used as tax and currency as well. So what exactly did the…
The English Renaissance theatre, simply known as the Elizabethan theatre blossomed in England between 1558 and 1642. This type of theatre mainly involved the plays of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. Let us take a look at the Brief…
12 Scariest Mythical Creatures That Will Give You Nightmares Some people believe mythical creatures are only legends, while others insist that these monsters from folklore have a real-world origin. From ghostly spirits and vampires to child-snatching demons, these scary mythical…
The Elizabethan era is a period in England that denotes the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The era saw a growth in many factors—both political and social. Additionally, during the Elizabethan era, food played an important role. A typical individual’s…
China, one of the oldest civilisations in the world, worshipped various gods and goddesses. Each Asian god had a special area of expertise and the most powerful ones were given their own shrines and temples. We have compiled a list…
Athens and Sparta were two of the most prominent city-states of Ancient Greece. They subsequently went to war from 431 to 405 B.C. The Peloponnesian War ultimately resulted in the victory of Sparta, thus establishing it as the leading power…
Masquerade balls are essentially events where individuals wear costumes with elaborate masks. Additionally, masquerade balls have existed since medieval times and have a fascinating history. Let’s take a look at Masquerade Balls- Brief History & Key Facts. 1) Dating back…
The sporran is an integral part of the male Scottish Highland dress. It essentially functions as a wallet for the kilt. There are many different types of sporrans, and they are worn according to the occasion. Read 16 interesting facts…
One of the most easily recognizable symbols of Scotland is the thistle. It is a wild flowering plant that is deemed as the flower of Scotland. Read below to find out how it became the emblem of Scotland. Let us…
A God or a deity is a supreme being who is conceived as omnibenevolent(all-good). Different beliefs and religions have different perceptions of God. He goes by various names, identities and attributes. However, going by the ancient philosophy of yin yang,…
The Battle of Fallen Timbers was the last major conflict of the Northwest Territory Indian war. It took place on August 20, 1794, and was fought between Native Americans and the nascent United States. General Anthony Wayne led the U.S.…
The Battle of Cowpens is one of the battles which occurred during the American Revolutionary War. It took place on January 17, 1781. It was fought between the Continental Army under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and the British forces under…
The Vikings were Norse people from Southern Scandinavia who thrived from the 8th century to the 11th century. They were seafaring people who raided, pirated and traded throughout Europe. The era during which they thrived was called the ‘Viking age’.…
The Inca Empire was one of the major civilisations of pre-Columbian America. The empire essentially thrived from 1438 to 1533. The Incas are celebrated for their architecture, innovative agriculture techniques, communication and record-keeping. The Inca empire is so fascinating that…
The Siege of Boston was essentially a siege laid out by the American militia, later known as the Continental Army on the British held Boston. Over the course of the siege, both armies had to deal with a harsh winter…
The ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ is an unofficial title given to many places, monuments, sites and even people! These things are considered at par with the Seven Wonders of the World. Here is a list of 10 things dubbed…
