Archive for the ‘Humanities’ Category

What the Current Economy May Be Telling Us

We are busy, busy, busy! It makes no difference to us if it is getting close to the weekend, or if it is still Monday – we run around like mad accomplishing things in 24 hours that should take no less than 72! Even when we are ready to drop, there are more things we need to take care of. Good for us! We are doing our best to keep on top of everything in our lives. But hold on one second, are we having fun?

Having a good time often falls behind on our list of priorities. In our daily race to accomplish more and more, we forget that one of the fundamental aspects of life is being able to enjoy the things and people around us. We tell ourselves that we will relax after that work project is done, or after the school exams are over, or after we get that paycheck, or get that new car… But the truth is, after we accomplish one thing, there are other projects already waiting, other desires to be fulfilled, new challenges to be conquered.

The Traditional Kenyan Woman

She was oppressed and her role in the society disregarded. In most communities, she did most of the heavy work and was submitted to the man or men in the society. Like in the Masaai community, the woman would build the house they lived in with the husband and children. She would milk over a hundred cows, cook, fetch water and take care of the children. All this time, the men are out basking in the sun and chatting with other men. She was greatly over worked though she never complained as she had accepted this as her role in the society.

When education was introduced, most communities would prefer educating the boy child and leave the girl child at home. They could not see any benefit the girl child would bring to the community as she was only seen as fit for marriage. Giving away a girl child in marriage greatly benefited the family as they would receive a great prize known as dowry from the husband to be. The more beautiful the girl was, the higher the bride price was.

A Lesson in Art History

The Russian Matryoshka Doll is a popular collectible item that comes in many different artistic styles. However, what is the artistic history and inspiration of these lovely wooden nesting dolls?

What is a Russian Matryoshka Doll?

Russian Matryoshka Dolls, or Russian Nesting Dolls, are hand-carved dolls, or statues, made from wood. Each set of wooden nesting dolls has several dolls stacked one inside of the other. The largest doll, the mother, holds all of the smaller dolls, or babies, inside of her body. The smallest baby doll is solid wood and does not open.

These wooden nesting dolls are hand-painted to depict a specific theme. Traditional designs depict a mother dressed in the Russian folk dress costume called “Sarafan”. Flowers are also commonly found on matryoshka dolls. Other traditional designs include a religious subject matter. Eastern Orthodoxy is a major part of Russian life, so it’s not surprising that many Russian nesting dolls depict a Christian religious theme such as the onion domes of a Russian Orthodox Church.

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