If we expect people of other races to respect the beauty of black skin, blacks should wear their colour with pride, instead of bringing down others for being “blacker”, writes Leigh-Ann Worrell, 25,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from St. Thomas, Barbados.  Growing up in a small, generally racially homogenous country for most of my life, stories …

"How do we expect others to see past the colour of our skin?" Read More »

Multiple generations living in one household brings benefit for young and old, says Mridul Uphadyay, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi, India, though the custom is under pressure from western influence. Somebody died in a family; a very old woman actually.  Nobody had a proper idea of her actual age, but she had seen …

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What began as a Christmas carnival has grown into a massive celebration of Africa’s culture and heritage, writes Adebayo Victor, 25, a Correspondent from Ibadan in Nigeria, who attended this year’s Calabar festival in Nigeria. Since 2004 a festival that started as a Christmas celebration for local residents has grown in leaps and bounds to …

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As a first-time attendee of the festival, Shomira Sanyal, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from New Delhi in India says that she was thoroughly spoiled in attending the Jaipur Literature Festival, Asia’s largest and the world’s biggest free lit-fest. The city of Jaipur recently saw literature enthusiasts from all corners of the world coming to attend …

“Festival offers the high-lit of the literary season!” Read More »

Norfolk Islanders are refusing to change their national anthem in what Jake Elson, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, describes as a clash between official rules and cultural tradition. It’s another saga of Norfolk Island’s long and often tumultuous history. Recently the Australian-appointed administrator, Mr. Gary Hardgrave, wrote to the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly requesting it …

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The popularity of Indian television and fashion is having an impact on Bangladesh’s language, film industry and even cultural celebrations, writes Abdullah Al Hasan, 23, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, who argues that response is in the hands of Bangladesh’s consumers. Globalization has opened many ways to explore extraneous cultures, and gives Bangladesh an amazing …

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Exploring little-known historic spots becomes an opportunity to learn about culture and let the imagination soar, writes Latoyaa Roberts, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago. A drive around Tobago, located in the Caribbean, produces several stops at historical sites that have often vanished from our memories. These derelicts are of historical and cultural importance …

"Hidden gems – the sugar mill derelicts in Tobago" Read More »

Looking past the stereotypes of a culture can reveal the benefits of traditional ways, writes Zainab Shamim Potrick, 22, a Correspondent from Karachi in Pakistan. I belong to a very simple religion. I can hardly find things like mores, traditions or culture in my religion. On the other hand my identity, my country Pakistan, exists …

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Festivals celebrate culture and affirm national identity, writes Atikul Islam, 24, a Correspondent from Bogra in Bangladesh as he describes the events that mark Bangla New Year. Pahela Baishakh is the first day of the Bangla New Year and the first day of Bangla’s new month, Baishakh. Pahela Baishakh is celebrated more or less all …

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Indulging in a five-day festival gave Madusha Erandi, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Sri Lanka, new understanding and appreciation of a neighbouring culture. A five-day long event gave me an immense amount of experience and knowledge about Indian society and culture. It happened when I participated in the South Asian Universities Festival, or SAUFEST, as …

"University festival highlights South Asian cultures" Read More »