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'Culture' is more than the attire, the languages or cuisineit's
about the basic philosophy underlying people's lives. A particular way
of cognizing the world, of understanding man's reason for existence, is
what sets each culture apart and makes it unique. This cultural philosophy
is what colors and animates a people's way of life, dictating what clothes
they wear, how they structure language and why a dish should be turned
out just so.
Indology
Literally
speaking, the term Indology stands for the study of India. However, over
a period of time, the term has come to define a field of study that delves
deep into the variegated philosophical, spiritual, and socio-cultural
background of India. In other words, Indology is an intellectual pursuit
of the idea behind India.
The
Mayan Civilization
The
ancient land of Mesoamerica, encompassing the entire Yucatan peninsula,
was once home to the great Mayan people. For years their rich culture
remained shrouded in mysterythe wild Amazonian rain forest housing
the culture and a violent colonial history probably pitched in their
bits in further enhancing it. But with fresher discoveries of ancient
archeological sites and scientific reinterpretations of their unique
Calendar system, this image is fast changing. What is emerging is altogether
different from the earlier Mayan image, of a totally isolated and somewhat
alien civilization, created by popular imagination. Its place has been
taken by a far healthier attitude, which is eager to know, to learn
about these amazing people and their culture.
Tibetan
Culture
With fewer than 200,000 Tibetans living in exile and some six million
Tibetans living inside Tibet but lacking freedom to practice their cultural
and religious traditions, the survival of Tibet's rich cultural heritage
is in grave jeopardy. One of the most damaging aspects of the fifty-year
occupation of Tibet by the Chinese has been the relentless social and
economic marginalization of Tibetans inside Tibet.
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