MALTA'S TABOOS

In Malta, people value more their equals rather than time, they over put relationships and not schedules, people in Malta love to make relationships and have a pretty big list of friends, American culture tends to separate relationships from  work , here in Malta they prefer to have a big connected network of friends, it can be considered to be rude to be  bluntness, they also tend to stand closer with each other these makes them feel more comfortable, in some cultures this may be disrespectful or uncomfortable.

By: Jimena Cabrera

Based on the source:

http://academic2.american.edu/~zaharna/hondry/Malta%20Website/culturalprofile.htm

IRELAND TABOOS

If you're planning to travel to Ireland, you must know how people behave, act and the most important thing is to know about their taboos, because this is the key to have a good relation with the Irish.

Therefore you must know that they don’t talk about politics, the worst thing you can do it asking someone about who she or he voted for, which is totally not polite. Also talking about how great is living in a city to an urban person or vice versa is considerate totally impolite.  Talking about how much something cost, or how much money you earn is totally rough. Besides other aspect which is very important is not talking about religion people have different beliefs and when you talk about your religion and the one you`re talking to don’t share the same belief they tend to feel offended.

These are some taboos which may help you to succeed when meeting Irish people.

By: Paula Raigosa

Answers. Consulted on November 30^th, 2012; from:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_taboos_in_Ireland

HAWAIIAN TABOOS

A taboo is a social prohibition that comes from the Polynesian and other southern pacificislands religious traditions. Now, Hawaiian taboos are called kapu, this was originated from an ancient belief, mana, that said that every person had a bit of the gods power in their souls; therefore to avoid loosing it, peoples life must be regulated with kapus.

Some of them are:

·       The food for the men and women had to be cooked in separate imu (underground ovens); also men and women had to eat separately, consequently, a wife was forbidden to enter the eating house of her husband while he was eating.

·       Women were forbidden to eat certain foods, among which were pork, banana, coconut, and certain fishes.

·       A commoner would be put to death if his shadow fell on an ali’i’s (royal class) house or anything that belonged to the ali’i.

·       When an ali’i of high standing ate, the people around him had to kneel.

·       When a tree was cut down to build a canoe, offerings of pig, coconuts and kumu (red fish) must be done to the gods.

·       In time of war, the first two men killed in battle were offered as sacrifices to the gods.

·       The opelu fishers would gather at their special heiau in the evening to spend the night together to worship their god of fishing.

·       During the summer months of Kau, the aku fish was kapu and could not be eaten.

·       Kamehameha I put a strict kapu on the cutting down of ‘iliahi trees (sandalwood), to make sure it’s supplies would not run out.

Since the arrival of the Europeans, the following of kapu was no longer regulated; yet there are some traditions that are still in vigor.

By: Ana María Acevedo

N.A. (N.D.). Kapu System. Research done on Nov. 30^th 2012 on the web: http://kaizenwong.angelfire.com/Kapu_System.pdf

N.A. (2006). Hawaiian Culture & Society. Research done on Nov. 30^th 2012 on the web:

http://mythichawaii.com/hawaiian-culture-society.htm

BAHAMAS DO'S AND TABOOS

Dear reader:

                                                                                                                                                                         November 30, FRIDAY 2012

                                                                                                                                                                  Mexico, QRO. Corregidora.

We have the tendency of criticized, maybe our own culture, but being rude with other cultures that we doesn’t know take away the possibilities of open our mind and made constructive critics.

When something is valuated, the first thing we tend to see is what that object has wrong; however we forget to go further and appreciate the real value.

Government in each country changes, they have their laws, do’s and taboos.

If you go to a church in Bahamas, you should consider the clothing you were. Bahamian people tend to dress with the best clothes they have. Is inappropriate an disrespectful to wear not elegant clothing.

In the other hand, Bahamas is a kind country. They are greeters. Say “good morning” or “good afternoon” is well received.

A characteristic of islanders education is no alcohol and no cigarettes, is tolerable but no likeable.

If you don’t like to see people to their eyes and if you go to Bahamas, try to be careful and see peoples eyes; they will consider suspicious.

The physical contact is fundamental, handshakes and big smiles are welcomed, but men that are closer to woman is not well see. Men with men. And woman with woman.

They are against racism. Call someone black in any part of the world but specifically in Bahaman is something disrespectful. We all are equal! Besides color, what make the difference between both human soul and spirit? Nothing…

Try to pay attention to your behavior, something that is well seen in your country, in other place on Earth, is wrong or not accepted by society.

P.S: If you find a conch, try to eat them with any condiment. Is their favorite dish, and is acceptable to eat it.

                                                                Thank you for your consideration. Ana Paola Martínez

N.A. (N.D.). Culture Crossing. Culture, Customes & Etiquette. Researched on nov, 30^th 2012 from the web:http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student_details.php?Id=7&CID=16

N.A. (N.D.). Fodors. Local Do's and Taboos. Researched on nov, 30^th 2012 from the web:http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/bahamas/feature_30013.html

SOUTH AFRICAN TABOOS

In South African culture, certain aspects about salutation, eating manners, behaviors within others  can be taken badly; therefore when greeting someone, raise your left hand to indicate friendship and peace towards others, also, give strong handshakes as a symbol of goodwill. When eating, napkins should be placed on the nap along with the knife and fork crossed on the plate to indicate that you are not done eating, and the knife and the fork together on the plate when eating has been completed. Another important aspect in this culture, is when visiting some places, you have to ask permission when taking a picture if not it can be taken as an offense. When going to restaurants, pay around the 10- 20% of the total amount of tip. The points that have already been mentioned are very important to be followed for a confortable stay in this country which is part of the African continent.

Taboo. (2007). Travel Taboo. Consulted on November 30^th, 2012; fromhttp://www.traveltaboo.com/tag/south-africa-travel-taboo/

By: Patricia Diego

MALTA'S BELIEFS

"Malta a Happy Place on Earth"

There are lots of celebrations in this nation; they do festivals in honor to the harvest, lots of carnivals with colorful costumes, spectacular decoration and fun activities.

 They also celebrate a baby´s first birthday by putting objects which represent many professions, and the first object the baby picks predicts his future. In Christmas every street is decorated with beautiful festoons and lights because 98% of the population is catholic and Saint Paul is a national figure, there is a legend where they say that one day Saint Paul was preaching and his voice was carried from Burmarrad to Gozo.

By: Jimena Cabrera

IRELAND BELIEFS

Ireland has many magical beliefs such as magical cures, holy wells, blessings and curses.

Magical cures are mostly made with potatoes, they bury the potato and say some words and that’s how you heal the sicknesses. Some people en Ireland nowadays go with healers, and ask for some traditional cures, for example saying certain prayers, taking herbs or visiting a holy-well.

 Holy wells are well know in Ireland, this traditions were from the Celtics, the believed that at spring the underworld visit or world, and that those creature through magic powers to the wells and people used to drink the water so their wishes come true, nowadays some people go and through a coin and leave their prayers.

Bullaum Stone

Blessings and curses are also popular in Ireland, these traditions were believe by the Celtics, they believed that if they touch a Bullaun stone and recite some words their wishes come true, besides this ancient stones where though to give blessings and protection from curses, however this tradition gave beautiful blessing prayers to the Christian church.

By: Paula Raigosa

AUSTRALIAN BELIEFS

 Australia is a place worth visiting because of their celebrations and beliefs.

Australia is conform by a combination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrants or descendants of migrants,
this have influence in a big way to this country in the traditions and diverse and rich culture they have.
As we have mention before, because of this people: Indigenous Australian exist many storytelling of them , making Australia have a famous
literary tradition.

Australia’s people are emphasize of having unique arts festivals for their improve in dance,theatre ,film, art and music, because of that
they have many cultural events throughout the year.The principal beliefs in Australian are based in religion , the most important they have is one who is called "Dreaming" made by Aboriginal groups,
this belief consist on a kind of other religion in the world ,practices that define individual and community responsibilities and identity.

Celebration ans holidays are
These include:


Melbourn Cup Day

-Melbourne Cup Day (November):horse racing event held on the first Tuesday of November every year

-Australia Day (January 26) : celebration of the founding of the first European settlement in Australia in 1788.

-New Year’s Day: which is on 1 January every year

-Christmas and Easter (March and April): is celebrated in the summer



Sydney Festival

-Anzac Day (April 25): Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915

-Sydney Festival(January) :Festival of musica, dance and arts

-Film Festival(January) :More then 300 films are brought in each year from around the world

- Queen's Birthday (2 June)

The principal beliefs in Australian are based in religion , the most important they have is one who is called "Dreaming" made by Aboriginal groups,
this belief consist on a kind of other religion in the world ,practices that define individual and community responsibilities and identity.


By: Claudia Calvo

HAWAIIAN BELIEFS

“Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten”

- Lilo & Stich

Hawaii has been for the last century the ultimate vacational destination, therefore, if you are planning to travel to the pacific islands, it’s important that you have background knowledge so you can understand and enjoy your experiences.

Now, Hawaiian people have two sacrate beliefs: what refers to their gods and what refers to family. About their deities, Hawaiian religion reverences all powers of nature represented by four mayor gods that embody themselves in different elements of nature; these four gods are:

Kane	God of life, fresh water, provider of sunshine.	Embodied as taro, sugar cane, bamboo, and lightning.
Lono	God of rain, peace, agriculture, and the forest.	Embodied as rain clouds, sweet potatoes, or gourds.
Ku	God of war and medicine.	Embodied as breadfruit or coconut.
Kanaloa	God of the ocean and ocean winds.	Embodied as the ocean.

Heiau

There are also minor gods/ goddesses to refer to the parts of nature and life which were not necessarily essential for example the goddess of volcanoes, the goddess of women and canoe builders, the goddess of hula, and so on.

These gods were worshiped in small sanctuaries called Heiau, which were plane, small, stone and palm rooms to offer ceremonies and tributes.

However, what´s maybe the most popular Hawaiian tradition is the Ohana (family) culture they live. Ohana is considered to be everyone who has blood relation, or the ones that despite their lack of blood connection they share a very strong bond, and even the ones who are no longer with us. This last ones are called aumakua, and they considered to be ancestral guidance and protectors that can show themselves as many different animals (that why they protect animals such as harks, lizards, birds, fish and owls).

Gods

Ohana should provide food, shelter, education, emotional support, love, and security, especially for children who must be taught in working and the wellbeing of the community.

Now a day, most people are Christians, Catholics or even Buddhist but yet they still have a special respect for their gods and the Ohana tradition.

N.A. (N.D.). Important Hawaiian Beliefs and Values. Researched on nov, 29^th 2012 from the web: http://www.k12.hi.us/~kchang/beliefs.html

By: Ana María Acevedo

RELIGOUS BELIEFS SOUTH AFRICA

South African society has many different beliefs among them; however, the main religion in this area of the world is the Christians having a percentage of the 80% of all the population being mainly Protestants.  Apart from this, there are other religions that are being followed by people in South Africa such as Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism mainly. The variety of religions was brought by the colonists when South Africa was conquered by the Dutch and some other colonists. Nowadays, the government has not been able to set an official religion because of the diversity of religious beliefs.

 

 

 

School directory. Consulted on November 29^th, 2012; from: http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/ZA-religion.htm

 

By: Patrcia Diego

BAHAMAS BELIEFS

As many people should know, Bahamas is a touristic place. For a place like this, full of people of many different countries, that goes there to relax, thought that Bahamian society doesn’t have own beliefs and history. But people judge before knowing. And mistakes of cultural information are made.

Open your eyes! Bahamas is a very religious country. Is considered to be one of the countries who has more churches in the world. Christians, Anglicans, Catholics and Methodist live in this island. All together in that piece of land!

It can be said that Bahamas follow the beat of the music, because they live through music; sermons and other litanies are sang, joined by hand-clapping and instruments or hissed.

“It’s a small world after all”; a belief called Obeah similar to the Voodoo in Haiti and was originated in Africa, is practiced. In the U.S department is illegal under a Penal Code, which is a shame because the government avoids/denied a different cultural and spiritual manifestations.  

The ritual consist in transforming energy, renders evil or good, made dreams come true, make and control individual power associated with supernatural forces. It’s a small world because the belief has being carried since 17^th century from Africa to different parts of the world, included Bahamas.

This belief is criticized; but who says which religion or cult is right? Nobody has the power to forbid someone their spiritual devotion.

Many of the readers most know about Atlantis “The lost city”, well, it’s also a Bahamian belief. Known by all around the world, even Walt Disney made a movie. It’s attractive for others, because of the mystery. Things such as explorers or fiction things made someone to be interested on the idea; society buy the idea, and start questioning about it. Things that made a cultural richness.

Bahamas is characterized for being superstitious. Many readers should think that hanging birds on the trees most be strange. But in Adros (the larger island in Bahamas) is very normal to hang mythical creatures in their trees. The legend says that if someone put the creature in a tree, it would be blessed with good luck for the rest of his life. Tradition called Chickcharnies, which refers to a real bird in Bahamas.

It’s amazing how a small piece of land, could have all amazing and traditional things that other cultures consider “crazy” or “weird”, but is respect of different ways of get peace, strength, luck or power.

 

By: Ana Paola Martínez


Sources:
http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Bahama-Islands.html
http://www.bahamasgateway.com/culture.htm