Interesting photos from Asia you didn't know were culturally iconic
Precious Rongmei, TIMESOFINDIA.COM, TRAVEL TRENDS, WORLD Created : Jul 8, 2024, 10:00 IST
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Interesting photos from Asia you didn't know were culturally iconic
Have you ever looked at a picture and wondered about the story behind it? Sometimes, a single captivating photo can ignite our passion for travel. Here, we bring you some of the most interesting and culturally iconic photos from Asia. Understanding their significance and planning trips to experience these places up close sounds perfect.
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Stilt fishing in Sri Lanka
Stilt fishing is a distinctive fishing technique found only in Sri Lanka. Fishermen perch on a crossbar, known as a 'petta,' which is attached to a vertical pole embedded in the sand a few metres offshore. From this elevated vantage point, they cast their lines and patiently wait for fish to bite.
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Abra Creek Crossing in Dubai
Dubai Abra Creek Crossing offers visitors a unique perspective on the city's beauty. This traditional wooden boat ride traverses Dubai Creek, a historically significant location as the UAE's first major port and a hub for the pearl industry.
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Cormorant fishing in China
Cormorant fishing is a traditional technique where fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish in rivers. Historically practised in China, Japan, Greece, North Macedonia, and briefly in England and France, it is sometimes referred to as "duck fishing." Though it once thrived as a successful enterprise, today it primarily serves the tourism industry and is mainly practised in southwestern China. Fishermen control the birds by tying a loose snare near their throats, allowing them to swallow small fish but not larger ones, which they regurgitate upon the fisherman's retrieval.
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Intha fishermen of Inle Lake in Myanmar
The Intha people, meaning "children of the lake," are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group residing around Inle Lake. Intha fishermen are renowned for their unique leg-rowing technique, where they stand on one leg at the stern of their boat, wrap their other leg around an oar, and row in a circular motion. This method frees their hands to handle fishing nets, which can be heavy when catching large fish. Notably, this leg-rowing style is practised only by Intha men.
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Khon dance-drama in Thailand
Khon, the Khon Masked Dance Drama in Thailand, is a multifaceted performing art that blends music, vocals, literature, dance, ritual, and handicrafts. The performances feature elegant dance movements, instrumental and vocal renditions, and glittering costumes. They depict the glory of Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, highlighting his journey in the forest, his army of monkeys, and his battles with Thosakan, king of the giants.
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Incense-making in Vietnam
One of the most notable villages in Vietnam where incense making has become a tourist attraction is Quang Phu Cau Incense Village. Located in Thanh Oai, near Hanoi, this village is renowned for its vibrant incense production. Visitors can witness the intricate process of making incense sticks, which includes splitting the bark into sticks, drying, dyeing, and coating them with incense powder. The village is especially picturesque during the preparation for the Lunar New Year when the streets are lined with colourful incense sticks drying in the sun.
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Water-lily harvest in Vietnam
The ethnic communities in Long An Province annually harvest water lilies, a tradition celebrated for its economic significance, cultural importance, and scenic appeal. This practice is particularly renowned in the Mekong Delta, known for its extensive network of waterways ideal for water lily growth. Harvested water lilies are used widely in Vietnamese cuisine and as ornamental decorations, with their flowers, buds, and stems featuring prominently in traditional dishes.
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Hornbill Festival in India
The Hornbill Festival in India, celebrated annually in Nagaland, is a vibrant showcase of the state's rich cultural heritage and tribal traditions. Named after the hornbill bird, which holds significant cultural importance in Naga folklore, the festival takes place in early December. It features a colourful array of traditional dances, indigenous music performances, indigenous games, crafts exhibitions, and local cuisine offerings. Visitors from around the world are drawn to witness the diverse tribal rituals and ceremonies, highlighting the unity and diversity of Naga tribes through their distinct attire, crafts, and rituals.
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