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Chinese Square Dance: where does it come from?

Isaac Ohringer

Sep 72 min read

Chinese Square Dance: where does it come from?

Dancing in China has been seen as an important way to improve fitness, and dexterity and recover from long-term illness

History of Chinese Lanterns in Only a Few Words.

Isaac Ohringer

Jun 131 min read

History of Chinese Lanterns in Only a Few Words.

Perhaps the most iconic symbol of the Han Chinese, these lanterns can be found all over the world.

Donglin Temple: A Little Known Gem in Shanghai

Isaac Ohringer

Jun 123 min read

Donglin Temple: A Little Known Gem in Shanghai

Donglin Temple was originally built in the Ming Dynasty in 1308, but the original structure has long been lost to the mists of time.

Isaac Ohringer

Apr 73 min read

What is a Puja in Buddhism?

What is a Puja? To put it simply, a Puja is a prayer. In Mahayana Buddhism, the most prominent branch of the faith, the Buddhas can be...

Every 12 years: Pachali Bhairav Khadga Siddhi Jatra. What is it?

Isaac Ohringer

Apr 47 min read

Every 12 years: Pachali Bhairav Khadga Siddhi Jatra. What is it?

Every dozen years, a procession takes place. Hardly known outside of Nepal, this rare festival marks a story involving rice

Isaac Ohringer

Mar 253 min read

Holi in Nepal: A vibrant show indeed

What is it? Even if you don't know the name, a picture like this, with colours flying over the heads of the crowd is not exactly obscure....

Why do kids block the streets with ropes during Maha Shivaratri in Nepal?

Isaac Ohringer

Mar 201 min read

Why do kids block the streets with ropes during Maha Shivaratri in Nepal?

Two weeks ago, on Maha Shivaratri, the roads in Kathmandu and the surrounding valley were full of children with long ropes. They worked...

Maha Shivaratri in Nepal: where does it come from and why is it celebrated?

Isaac Ohringer

Mar 203 min read

Maha Shivaratri in Nepal: where does it come from and why is it celebrated?

Maha Shivaratri (Night of Shiva) is a Hindu celebration of Shiva's wedding to Parvati. The festival is unusual for Hinduism in that it...

A Short Modern History of Buddhism in Nepal

Isaac Ohringer

Mar 113 min read

A Short Modern History of Buddhism in Nepal

In the last few decades, Nepal has experienced a revival of Buddhism as a result of increased openness by the Nepalese government. In the...

London Lights at Night: How long have they been here? [A Short History]

Isaac Ohringer

Jan 112 min read

London Lights at Night: How long have they been here? [A Short History]

Lighting has been a significant concern for humanity for thousands of years. This was no different in London. Until the 16th century,...

Isaac Ohringer

Jan 71 min read

London Buses: Why are they red?

London Buses have been around for almost 200 years. In 1829, the first recognisable bus service was created between Paddington and...

Isaac Ohringer

Nov 19, 20232 min read

Falconry: a noble pastime

Falconry has often been a sport associated with the medieval nobility. Yet its roots are much older, the Hittites (now in modern Turkey),...

The Yom Kippur War: How a man peed Into the Suez Canal.

Isaac Ohringer

Oct 9, 20233 min read

The Yom Kippur War: How a man peed Into the Suez Canal.

(This article does not condone either side in the current 2023 conflict nor previous conflicts involving Israel) There is a picture of an...

Isaac Ohringer

Oct 6, 20233 min read

The History of Dogs: Man's Best Friend

The history of dogs started long ago. Dogs originated around 12,000 to 14,000 years ago (although it could have been earlier). The...

Horses in the Past: Creating Kingdoms and Feeding Millions

Isaac Ohringer

Oct 2, 20234 min read

Horses in the Past: Creating Kingdoms and Feeding Millions

While horses in the 21st century might not be seen as important, they certainly were until very recently. The first horses seem to have...

Highgate Cemetery: The Place Where People Pay to See a Communist.

Isaac Ohringer

Oct 2, 20232 min read

Highgate Cemetery: The Place Where People Pay to See a Communist.

Highgate Cemetery is London’s best-known cemetery. Why? Because everywhere you turn, there is a famous dead writer, in gravestone form....

Cockfighting in China: a Long Gruesome Show

Isaac Ohringer

Sep 26, 20233 min read

Cockfighting in China: a Long Gruesome Show

Cockfighting in China has a history of more than 2,800 years. According to historical texts, as early as ancient China's Spring and...

Mount Snowdon: Where the Weather Never Makes up its Mind

Isaac Ohringer

Sep 20, 20233 min read

Mount Snowdon: Where the Weather Never Makes up its Mind

Just as the weather on this ancient terrain is prone to change, so has this mountain's story had a few twists and turns along the way. So...

The Barbican Estate: That One Instance of Good Brutalism

Isaac Ohringer

Sep 19, 20233 min read

The Barbican Estate: That One Instance of Good Brutalism

The Barbican estate is a complex which has 2,000 Flats and is in Central London, the estate was built in the 1960s.

Topkapi Palace: the Seat of Ottoman Power

Isaac Ohringer

Sep 17, 20232 min read

Topkapi Palace: the Seat of Ottoman Power

The Topkapi Palace, known as "Topkapi Sarayi" in Turkish, is a palace complex located in Istanbul, Turkey. It is not far from the Aya...