For any leader who is looking to take their business acumen and leadership skills to a new level, it has become essential, no matter the industry, whether social work manufacturing, to include cultural awareness as commonplace in their repertoire.

The following are some reasons why leaders should grow in this ability.

The Importance of Cultural Competency in Leadership Roles

In today’s globalized world, the ability to understand and navigate different cultures is crucial for success in leadership and industry innovation. Cultural competence refers to the ability of an individual or group to effectively interact and communicate with people from a wide and diverse range or cultural backgrounds. This skill goes far beyond just being aware of what may be the many or few cultural differences between upbringings, it involves the desire and curiosity to seek to understand others.

In doing so, by asking questions, striving to adhere to and acknowledge the importance of those differences, respect grows. Taking these steps is essential as a way to highlight and incorporate such differences – to build trust, foster collaboration, and drive innovation no matter the industry, team, or location.

Effective leadership, when boiling down the fundamental components, really isn’t that complicated. However, without understanding the nuances causes one leader to flourish while another may struggle.

Cultural competency requires the intention and the ability to educate oneself and others in a way that seeks to bring together individuals from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. By consistently being culturally competent, leaders demonstrate through word and action that others, regardless of their background, have a voice and mind that brings value to an organization.

A leader who can foster this type of inclusive environment will encourage a safe workplace. When people feel safe, they speak up and will work hard without the fear of judgment. This leads to better communication, increased creativity, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities. Creating inclusive environments where all team members feel valued and respected takes time, diligence, and an ability to speak up against gossip or injustice that might arise.

Cultural competence is an important skill because it also enables leaders to be able to navigate complex global markets, the nuances of communication and the behaviors that show respect. This is how a good leader can build strong relationships with stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds. If stepping into a new market in a different country or region, taking the time to educate oneself or a team on these differences will truly set people and companies apart from their competitors, giving them an advantage. It helps in building trust and fostering cooperation, which are essential for successful business operations in today’s interconnected world.

The Role of Cultural Competence in Industry Innovations

Most everyone is familiar with the adage that “two minds are better than one”, because it is true. Without the perspectives of others, innovation more often reaches a plateau because the problem or formula at hand is only being filtered through one set of knowledge and experience. Even in one country, learning styles, educational initiatives, and programming teach people universally shared skills like mathematics, but the way in which people are taught differs.

This is where innovation thrives: in diverse and inclusive environments where individuals feel comfortable sharing their unique ideas and perspectives. Cultural competence plays a key role in creating such environments by promoting understanding and respect for different cultural norms and values.

Furthermore, cultural competence enables organizations to tap into new markets and opportunities by understanding the needs and preferences of diverse consumer groups. By being sensitive to cultural differences, businesses can recognize and develop products and services that resonate with customers from different backgrounds, driving growth and profitability.

​​Photo Credit

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

In this article, we talk about why diversity is important, both within business and the world at large. We also talk about how you can learn more about other people’s cultures in a productive and respectful way.

Love by Learning

America might be a melting pot, but how much is really taught about historical figures from different cultures? Some of this education has to happen from within the school system, of course. They are the ones who do most of the teaching after all.

But that leaves the majority of the country stagnated in their understanding of multiculturalism. Making a point to learn more about people from different backgrounds is a personally fulfilling way to uplift mankind, enrich yourself, and better understand your neighbors.

Where to start? Everyone will go about this in their own way, but you can always look at the calendar if you feel the need for a starting point.

Pride Month, Black History Month, Latin History Month. There’s always something going on. The celebrations may seem superficial, but you can give them meaning by opting to participate. Head over to your local library and start asking for book recommendations. Librarians are very good for that sort of thing, and before you know it, you’ll have an awesome reading list to start your journey on.

Diversity in Hiring

“Diversity in hiring,” as a concept has generated more controversy than one might at first assume. Critics are always quick to suggest that diverse hiring initiatives are political moves designed to appease people, rather than strengthen the company.

Are they on to something? This is America, after all, where merit is supposed to win out over any other consideration.

There are problems with this argument. For one thing, minorities haven’t had the same access to high-powered jobs in the past. Sometimes this discrimination was written right into the law. Other times, it happened through silent personal bias.

In all cases, the outcome was the same. High-powered positions and the wealth that they create went predominantly to white men. Actively seeking candidates from different backgrounds isn’t about disregarding all other hiring considerations — skill, experience, education — just to focus on race. It’s about removing obstacles that never should have been there to begin with.

The argument against diversity leadership initiatives also seems to imply that the company isn’t benefitting as well. This is unambiguously incorrect. Businesses with diverse leadership consistently outperform those with more monolithic cultural representation.

Diversity gives businesses access to a much wider range of experiences. It also helps to motivate the rest of your staff. After all, it’s nice to see yourself reflected in the company leadership. People who are minorities working entry-level positions may consequently feel more motivated to stick around for the long haul, knowing there is a promotion track for them.

Respect is Crucial

Of course, the way you go about learning about diversity is everything. Words like “cultural appropriation” feel a little loaded these days because both sides of the political divide use it as a buzzphrase.

If you’re for multiculturalism, “cultural appropriation,” is what the bad people do to mock and belittle minorities. If you tend be of the mind that there is no reason to go out of your way to learn about other cultural groups, “cultural appropriation,” furthers your point. “I’m doomed if I try to learn. I’m doomed if I don’t.”

Here’s the deal. Most people aren’t trying to police the way that you interact with their culture, but they do want you to treat the things that are significant to them with respect. You wouldn’t want someone walking into your home, mocking the way you hold a dinner table conversation with your family. Similarly, no one wants others to misappropriate cultural traditions.

Approach your learning journey with an attitude of respect. Mind other people’s feelings, and be willing to apologize if you make a mistake.

Photo Credit

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

Here are some of the biggest differences that set the South apart from the Northern half of the continental United States.

Atlanta

Housing Costs

A major reason that many people prefer to live in the South is the relatively inexpensive cost of living. This is in large part because there are fewer cities, and even the cities that do exist tend to be less populous than those in other parts of the country.

This means that there are fewer people divvying up land, which drives housing costs down. Even the larger cities tend to be more affordable, with apartments and houses for rent in Atlanta, GA, or New Orleans, LA, being much cheaper than comparable properties in New York, NY, Boston, MA, or Los Angeles, CA.

Eclectic Food

The South is known for its food, and for good reason. Thanks to the intermingling of Mexican, French, Spanish, and African culinary traditions, the South has developed its own dining culture that is as unique and eclectic as it is delicious.

In Louisiana and Florida, for example, Creole, Cajun, and Caribbean-style dishes combine strong spices and colorful ingredients with locally caught seafood. Then there’s barbecue, which has a wide variety of different styles, to the point where Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and the Carolinas are constantly feuding over whose BBQ is best.

Cajun Cooking

History & Culture

Many of the most significant events in American history, both good and bad, happened in the South. From the tragedies of the Civil War to the breakthroughs of the Civil Rights Movement, history is something very important to many people who live in the South.

As a result, life in the South is rooted as much in the past as it is in the present. Tradition and family is important within the culture of the South, and the preservation of historical monuments, indigenous lands, and regional folklore is considered a major priority. This has earned Southerners a reputation for being old-fashioned, but for many area natives, that’s almost a badge of honor.

The Climate

In the Northern states, there’s a misconception that the South is a place of sweaty summers and tumultuous storms. While that’s often very true in places like Florida and Louisiana, both of which are vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding, the Southern climate is a lot more varied than some realize.

For instance, the weather in Texas often favors dry heat, with snowfall being exceedingly rare in the winter. Meanwhile, Virginia enjoys regular winter snowfall, moderate rains, and humid summers. The one thing all Southern states have in common is more warmth and sunshine than the Northern states, something many Southerners find preferable to blizzards and frostbite.

Photo Credits

Atlanta Image by Chanh Nguyen from Pixabay

Cajun Cooking Image by laineypics from Pixabay

HM Prison Reading has stood tall since 1844. It remained operational for one hundred and seventy years, and its notable inmates included writer Oscar Wilde, pro boxer Anthony Joshua, and American actor Stacy Keach. However, following Banksy’s latest stunt, the closed-down prison is now most famous for his graffiti, and that is by no accident. In 2016, it got announced that it would become an arts venue for the Reading 2016 Year of Culture program. Since then, many have pushed to stop the prison from getting sold. Claiming that it is best for the community if the prison remains open as an art hub. Banksy’s artwork may help their cause, but it may also hurt it, as public opinion regarding the anonymous artist is somewhat divided.

Banksy Swinger in New Orleans

Does Banksy’s Work Have Artistic Value?

Despite having his work featured throughout famous art galleries, many people believe that what Banksy does is not art. It is a spectacle that gets presented as such. He is currently only selling his work on the secondary market. However, per-2010, he was also dealing it directly through former printers and certified dealers. You can locate some of his stencils at high-end dining venues, such as Vegas’ Palms Hotel Casino Resort, which is home to his work – Smiley Coppers Panel I. The Palms is one of Sin City’s most famous casino resorts. However, if you want to experience the thrills of gambling right now, all you have to do is check out some Ladbrokes slots at the online casino of your choice.

In October of 2019, Banksy’s Devolved Parliament sold for $12.2 million at auction. It is an oil-on-canvas painting that replaces the UK’s most prominent politician with chimpanzees, depicting the apes amidst a hot debate in the House of Commons. The sale left many art critics wondering how people have been bamboozled into believing that a low-brow piece of banality is a masterpiece. Many even publicly stated that only in ambition and notoriety is Banksy’s work different than vandalism present at railway embankments and high-rise towers. His reputation does not derive from his artistic talents but his status as a folk hero and self-promotion.

A massive part of Banksy’s claim to fame is the fact that he has managed to maintain his anonymity for more than two decades. His art mostly consists of stencil designs that feature wit and poke fun at authority. Most critics see him as a copycat of French graffiti artist, Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou. Known as the father of stencil graffiti, Prou’s work is a clear influence on Banksy. The latter has never denied that he heavily borrows from the Frenchman.

Naturally, whether something is art or not is a matter of opinion. That said, nothing about Banksy’s work is novel, and he usually recycles many of the same tropes. Clichés of the progressive left. Thuggish cops and inept public servants. There is no ambiguity or possibility of misinterpretation in his work. So, in a sense, some art critics have a point. Yet, the real power of his work lies in its boldness to challenge authority and create debate. Even though much of his themes are derivative, he is still somewhat of a pop-culture icon and a prominent figurehead of this era.

Season’s Greetings, a mural by graffiti artist Banksy, stenciled onto a garage in Port Talbot, Wales in December 2018.

Who Is Banksy?

As far as anyone can tell, Banksy is a Bristol street artist whose identity remains a mystery. Some speculate that he is not one person but a group of artists that operate under this moniker. However, in a 2003 Guardian interview, British journalist Simon Hattenstone described him as a white 28-year-old man that looks like a cross between Mike Skinner of the rap project the Streets and singer Jimmy Nail.

In 2008, British conservative paper, The Mail on Sunday, identified him as one Robin Gunningham, living 12 miles away from Bristol. Many of Gunningham’s former schoolmates that attended Bristol Cathedral School with him collaborated information present in The Mail of Sunday’s article. The Sunday Times newspaper also proved that Gunningham used the nickname Robin Banks when signing designs for the Bristol band Mother Samosa in the early 1990s.

Other theories are that he is Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, Jamie Hewlett, the artist behind the comic Tank Girl, and former Art Attack presenter Neild Buchanan. However, the Robin Gunningham hypothesis is by far the most researched one, grounded in fact.

Photo Credit

Swinger – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Seasons Greetings – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Guest Author Bio
Luke Windsor

Luke Windsor is a chief content writer and reviewer. Having worked in the writing industry for over ten years, he is an experienced wordsmith who enjoys doing deep dives on fringe subjects. He is passionate about entertainment, especially novellas and films.

Some of the larger clans have had a number of Ceann tighes or chieftains going back centuries; but others are more recent appointments. A Ceann tighe is appointed by a clan chief who is at the top of the hierarchy. Chiefs traditionally ruled the clans, originally much as a native American tribal chief would do, as the steward of the territory held by his people.

This changed to a more feudal type of system around the time of the Stuart monarchs of Scotland, and currently the designation of Scottish Chief is a title of nobility recognized by the Crown. The title was bestowed in the past on the eldest son, but more recently has been bestowed upon female offspring. For example, Arabella Kincaid, chief of Clan Kincaid. Scottish chiefs often but not always also hold the title of a Scottish feudal baron, a separate and distinct minor title of Scottish nobility, as well as other titles such as marquess, duke, earl, etc.

In the case of Clan Lamont, the clan to which the Burdens have been a major family (or “sept”) since 1400. Our chief is Father Peter Noel Lamont of that Ilk who resides in Rydalmere, Australia. This could have presented some geographical challenges in handling chiefly duties. However, Clan societies in Scotland, Canada, the United States, France, and Australia carry the torch for the clan.

Recently, to revitalize clan activities in the Americas, I have been working with Scott Turner, also with the executive of the Clan Lamont Association but based in the United States. The Turners are also a sept of Clan Lamont. Scottish descendants in North America number in the tens of millions and there are organized Highland games all through the Americas and even beyond, including South America, Australia, Africa, and even Malaysia!

Additionally, I recently accepted the position of Father Peter’s representative on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, which involves a visit every summer to Edinburgh, and a meeting followed by luncheon at the Royal Scots Club.

In acknowledgement of the efforts made by Scott and I over past years, Chief Peter has appointed us respectively as High Commissioners for the United States and Canada as modern-day Ceann tighes.

General guidelines suggest that those of the status of chief wear three eagle feathers in their Scottish hat or “bonnet”, hence the old expression, “a feather in your cap.” Chieftains wear two feathers and those who have a grant of arms from Lord Lyon, the Crown Minister who controls such things in Scotland, are entitled to wear one eagle feather. While golden eagle feathers are traditional, my own two feathers come from a bald eagle. I should note that these feathers were legally obtained from the Nova Scotia Provincial Department of Wildlife, and no birds were deliberately harmed. My feathers were a gift from Chief Robert Gloade of the native Nova Scotian tribe, the Mik’maw. I believe that Scott Turner is still trying to acquire his eagle feathers due to US laws. With this in mind, I sent him a few Canada goose feathers that had been left on our cottage’s lawn by generous migrating geese.

Below is a list of the various families which belong to Clan Lamont. If interested in exploring your roots, please consider becoming a member of your local Clan society.

Clan Lamont Society of North America

Clan Lamont Society of Canada

Clan Lamont Society of Australia

Clan Lamont Society of Scotland

Clan Lamont (Wikipedia)

The next list is one of surnames associated with Clan Lamont. Note that many of these names are also associated with other clans.

Aldownie, (and Aldowny)
Bearden
Black
Blackie
Blaik
Blaikie
Blake
Blaker
Blakey
Broun
Brown
Bordon
Burden
Burdon
Burton
Clement(s)
Devers
Green(e)
Lamb
Lamant
Lambie
Lamm
Lammie
Lammon
Lammond
Lamon
Lamond
Lamondson
Lamons
Lamont
Lamonte
Lander(s)
Layman
Learmonth
Leeman
Leemon
Lemmon(s)
Lemon(s)
Lemond
Lemmond
Limon
Limond
Limont
Lhomond
Lomond
Lucas
Luck
Luckie, (and Lucky)
Luke
MacAldowie
MacAlduie
MacClammie, (and MacClammy)
MacClement(s)
MacCluckie, (and MacClucky)
MacClymont
MacEaracher
MacErcher
MacErracher
MacFarquhar
MacGilledow
MacGillegowie
MacGorie, (and MacGory)
MacGorrie
Mackquein (Aliased as Lamont)
MacIldowie
MacIlwham (and Wham)
MacIlwhom
MacInturner
MacKerchar
MacKerracher
MacLammie, (and MacLammy)
MacLamond
McLellan
MacLemmon
MacLemon
McClemont
McClymont
McCliment
MacLimans
MacLucas
MacLuckie, (and MacLucky)
MacLugash
MacLuke
MacLusa
MacLymont
MacMunn
MacPatrick
MacPhunn
MacSorley
MacSurely
McClymonds
McLimans
McLaomainn
Mecklem
Meickleam
Meickleham
Meikle
Meikleham, (and Meiklehem)
Meiklejohn
Meiklem, (and Maiklem)
Munn
Munt
Paters(s)on
Patrick
Phorich
Sitlington
Sorlie, (and Sorly)
Toward
Towart
Turner
White
Whyte
Young

Photo Credits

 First 3 photos courtesy of Stella Burden-van der Lugt—all rights reserved.
Scott Turner photo by Tammy Miller Turner—all rights reserved.

Islamic, Astrolabe of ‘Umar ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Ali ibn Rasul al–Muzaffari,
1291, (acc. no. 91.1.535a–h)

The astrolabe also known as the “star-taker” is an ancient tool that was used to determine the position of the sun and the stars. The earliest forms of the astrolabe were originally invented during the Hellenistic era¹ in 150 BC in Greece and was eventually integrated into the Islamic world and gained credibility as an instrument of great importance. The astrolabe displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a relic from the 13th century also known as the Rasulid period² in Islamic history. ‘Umar ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Ali ibn Rasul al-Muzaffari invented this modified version of the astrolabe and was later crowned the king of Yemen. The Astrolabe of Umar ibn Yusuf held a prominent role in the Medieval Islamic world³ through its cultural significance and development in astronomy, astrology and other forms of education. The astrolabe not only influenced the Islamic world but influenced the development of ideas in other parts of the world.

The astrolabe of Umar ibn Yusuf was originally procured in Yemen and is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Edward Moore’s collection (Gallery 454) in New York. The astrolabe is classified as a metal object with a very traditional Islamic design in gold work and is dated A.H. 690/A.D. 1291. The astrolabe has a spherical shape and it is comprised of four spherical plates that assemble it. The diameter of the astrolabe is around 8 inches. The astrolabe is engraved, chased and pierced, made with brass and is inlaid with silver. The overall color of the astrolabe is golden. The inscriptions on the astrolabe are engraved in Arabic and were made and signed by Umar ibn Yusuf himself. The inscriptions are intricate and carefully engraved on the astrolabe along the sphere in a circular form. The inscriptions are single Arabic letters and numbers placed in a circular format that aligns with the center point of the object. Some inscriptions act as scales and help in time conversion, while the others act as calendars to show the day and time of month. The lines on the astrolabe are mostly diagonal and straight but there are some curved lines around the middle of this object. The lines that intersect the center of the astrolabe to the edge were meant to display the cities that helped determine the direction of Makkah⁴ and also helped determine certain observations. The use of this Islamic astrolabe was chiefly helping in the navigation of finding the direction of Makkah and determining the correct prayer times for Muslims. It was also used to determine the sunset and sunrise of a day, the positioning of the stars, and the navigation of astronomical forms.

This astrolabe unlike many others is well documented and we can see clear inscriptions that directly attribute it to Umar Ibn Yusuf’s work. He was known for inventing and preserving such artifacts and left scientific treatises on the construction of the astrolabe. Another Astrolabe by Umar Ibn Yusuf is preserved and displayed in Cairo and shares similar details and inscriptions that certify him as the maker. Another Astrolabe by Muhammad Zman al-Munajjim al-Asurlabi sits near the Astrolabe of Umar Ibn Yusuf in the Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They share similar details with one another like shape, size, and material. Muhammed Zman’s Astrolabe is image based and portrays more details of the planets and other astronomical forms unlike the Astrolabe by Umar Ibn Yusuf that is kept more simple and is inscription based. This information and detail can tell the audience that the Astrolabe of Umar Ibn Yusuf mainly aided navigational purposes of finding the position of Makkah than the placement of planets.

The astrolabe is contracted with four main parts that enable it to work. First the disk that is also referred to as the “mater”. The mater is marked specifically indication hours and degrees. The mater can hold up to several “tympans” that are also known as plates. The “rete” that represents the sky and acts as a star chart shows the stars and the zodiac constellations. The alidade or the rule was used for making observations by enabling accurate sights. The rete and tympana are designed in a way that they fit into the mater. There are many steps in making observations. To use an astrolabe you adjust the movable components to a particular time and date, for example; you must hold it up and angle it precisely to when the rule crosses the degree scale when observing the stars.

The main audience for the astrolabe was the Muslim community. At first the Islamic world was unsure of the credibility of such technologies until many rulers started supporting scientific research and started recognizing its benefits. This instrument played a vital role in the lives of the Muslims as it determined the accurate direction of the Qibla⁵, so they could pray five times a day. It was very important for Muslims to posses this object as they lived very nomadic lives and needed to locate the exact direction of the Qibla in Makkah. Over the course of time the astrolabe was highly developed and improved in the Islamic world and held a valuable role in the Islamic Golden Age. The Muslims were the ones that introduced the angular scales to the astrolabe. The person who was credited for developing the first Islamic Astrolabe was an 8th century mathematician known as Muhammad Al-Fazari. The first geared mechanical astrolabe was made in Isfahan by Abi Bakr in 1235. The first universal astrolabe that could be used at any latitude was invented by the Islamic scholar Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-Zarqali. Later Islamic scholar and scientist, al-Sufi stated 10,000 ways of using the astrolabe from astronomy and horoscopes to time management and prayer.

The astrolabe was introduced to Europe through Islamic Spain in the 13th century and helped shape European production. In the middle ages both Muslims and Christians benefited from the astrolabe as it helped them navigate sea routes. The astrolabe became a dominant astronomical and navigational instrument in history and was used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers. The first known European Astrolabe was made and developed in the 15th century by the Moorish inventor Rabbi Abraham Zacuto in Lisbon. Soon more identical Astrolabes were developed and made in further years and as centuries past. In 15th century France the French inventor and instrument maker, influenced by the astrolabe started developing them and selling astrolabes along with sundials and other influenced objects. Astrolabes influenced the first astronomical mechanical clocks such as the “Clock at Prague”⁶. Later many Swiss watch makers also adopted ideas from the astrolabe and used them in their watch making and a Dutch watchmaker, Christaan van der Klauuw still manufactures astrolabe based watches to this day.

Various phenomenons were derived and developed from the invention of the astrolabe. It is still highly valued and recognized today for its sophisticated beauty, distinct capabilities and influence over teachings of astronomy as a whole. It is also highly appreciated for its cultural significance and strongly influenced and helped develop many ideas in the modern world. The astrolabe can almost act as a “smart phone” of the 13th century as it was pocket sized and used for multiple reasons from predicting the positions of the stars and the sun, casting horoscopes, revealing given times, among various other observations. Astrolabes personify beauty as much as they contribute to their function as their appearance is ideal in helping us determine how they were used and identify the artist. Today the Astrolabe can be viewed as a symbol of scientific greatness from the Islamic world.

1 - Hellenistic Era: Period in Ancient Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 325 BC and emerging of the Roman Empire. It is also called a the period of transition.
2 – Rasulid Period: This was a dynasty of Sunni Muslims that ruled Yemen from 1229 to 1454.
3 – Medieval Islamic World/ Islamic Golden Age: This was when the Muslim world was united caliphs and was prospering scientifically and culturally.
4 – Makkah: Holy city for Muslims in Islam – Every year Muslims perform a pilgrimage to this city.
5 – Qibla: Is a word that Muslims use to describe the holy Kabbah (Holiest Islamic monument in Makkah) and the direction Muslims face while praying.
6 – Clock in Prague, Czech Republic that was influenced by the astrolabe.

Works Cited

• Cessna, Abby. “Astrolabe.” Universe Today. N.p., 27 Sept. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.
• Ekhtiar, Maryam. Masterpieces from the Department of Islamic Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2011. Print.
• “Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.” Astronomy and Astrology in the Medieval Islamic World. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014.
• Morgan, David O., and A.J.S Reid. The New Cambridge History of Islam. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010. Print.
• Morrison, James E. “The ASTROLABE.” Astrolabe History. N.p., 2010. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.
  
• Sedif. “Sedef’s Corner.” : Patronage and Secular Subject Matter in Islamic Art. N.p., 13 Nov. 2011. Web. 09 Nov. 2014.
• Winterburn, Emily. “Using an Astrolabe.” Muslim Heritage. N.p., 2005. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.

Photo Credits

Astrolabe of ‘Umar ibn Yusuf – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Featured image is Wikipedia creative commons

Guest Artist Bio
Iman Mazhar

Iman Mazhar is a studio artist and fine art enthusiast based in New York. Iman graduated from Parsons the New School for Design, where she successfully completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors. Iman’s core focus is in visual design, gallery management, and museum development.

As an avid art enthusiast, Iman has pursued the arts both academically and professionally. She has worked on various curatorial projects and has been involved with many prestigious art organizations such as, AICON Gallery, Swiss Institute, Milk Gallery, The What’s Up Exhibition Series (LVH Art), and Louise Stefanii Fine Art. Iman is currently intimately involved with the development of the first Islamic Art Museum of New York, designed by Pritzker prize winner, Jean Nouvel. She is involved with all aspects of the Museum due to her background and knowledge surrounding Islamic Art and Culture.

As a practicing studio artist, Iman’s work explores themes such as orientalism, identity, politics and current affairs. Her work aims to create awareness and hopes to build bridges between communities. She takes inspiration from her background, personal experiences, and philosophic texts.

Visit Iman’s website: Iman Mazhar

This is all well-documented in sagas and archaeological findings. The modern western cultural clichés on Vikings began to emerge around the 18th century. Today, they’re very rarely depicted accurately in pop-culture (the horned helmets are mostly a myth as well).  The Vikings as we perceive them today are sort of a parody of themselves. They’re seen as more or less one-dimensional savages who lived to pillage and conquer. Just entire countries dedicated to that singular purpose.

This, naturally, isn’t true. They didn’t dream of plundering England or France day in and day out. These countries had complex, multi-dimensional societies rich with literature, arts and of course – sports and games of all sorts.

Viking sports and games of the olden days

Some of the games were physical, violence-ridden contests in power, speed, and determination. They taught teamwork and cooperation. They also helped the ancient Scandinavians maintain and hone their fighting skills outside of combat and war situations.

Other games were more mellow and cerebral. Physical challenges weren’t the only thing that the Vikings enjoyed for some entertainment of a competitive nature. Gambling has deep roots in Scandinavian culture and innovative companies like Yggdrasil Gaming Casinos are trying to maintain this tradition in a modernized way. Archaeological evidence uncovered points to the fact that these societies loved to play games with dice, board games and a number of other gambling activities. Great pastimes when the snow was covering their playing fields during cold winters.

The Vikings valued both physical and cerebral pastimes. Sometimes, they valued the cerebral games even more. For example, board game skills, in particular, were apparently highly regarded. Morkinskinna, chapter 71, depicts Kings Eysteinn and Sigurðr comparing their talents and strengths in a lighthearted manner. To Sigurðr’s boasting that he was a stronger fighter and a faster swimmer, Eysteinn replies: “That is true, but I am more skilled and better at board games, and that is worth as much as your strength.”

Sporting games

The recovered literature from those time periods often mentions leikar or sports games. Those included ball games, not unlike football or rugby. They also included power contests, wrestling, swimming challenges, and many others. These events were important social gathering occasions in these societies. They sometimes lasted for days on end. Whenever the community gathered for feasts, political assemblies or religious events, games were almost always present. Leikmót or games gatherings were also often held as separate events.

As we might expect, those games weren’t quite as regulated, civilized and cordial as the ones we have today. Those were rough times for humans and their games reflected that. Without modern medicine, life-shattering injuries and death were part of life and that translated to sports. Since the games were voluntary and you could withdraw whenever you wanted, the responsibility for your well being and health was thus placed entirely on your own shoulders.

Swimming and wrestling

The swimming contests held among Vikings would be better described as drowning contests. The key in one of these games was outlasting your opponent underwater. You won if you held your opponent submerged for longer.

Wrestling competitions, or as they called it – glíma, were displays of strength and dexterity. It was an extremely popular sport in the age of Vikings. Glíma is practiced in modern-day Iceland as well. The sport is most definitely either inspired or directly derived from the Viking wrestling practices. Unlike in some of the modern wrestling and grappling styles, there was little to no fighting on the ground. Your aim was to lift your opponent and drop him or otherwise throw him off balance so he would tumble to the ground.

The wrestling matches were held both indoors and outdoors. In chapter one of Gunnar’s saga, Gunnar lifts the person he’s fighting up and smashes him with all his might onto a bench inside the house, thus shattering his spine. As evidenced by this example, wrestling contests were also sometimes used as a device to settle feuds in a controlled environment. These clashes could have been fought to any goal. Sometimes the goal was death.

The bench that Gunnar used in the story was a substitution for fanghella, which was a large stone on the wrestling field. The stone’s purpose was to crush your opponent’s body onto it, smashing his back or head on its surface. Try to find that in a modern wrestling match.

Weight lifting and strength competitions

You probably know Iceland’s Hafthor Bjornsson as the man who lifts huge stones in strongman competitions or portrays The Mountain in HBO’s Game of Thrones. What you may not know is that the sort of competitions he participates in have been around in his country of origin for many centuries.

Weight lifting contests using stones and logs were very common in the Viking era. In them, the person who managed to pick up the heaviest and biggest boulder was declared the winner. Nordic sagas celebrate such heroes. Grettir Asmundarson was one of such characters. Some of the boulders he managed to lift are still on display in Iceland to this day.

Indoor games and gambling

Let’s move on from the games that only the strongest and fiercest members of these communities could hope to win. Dice carved from bones were apparently incredibly popular during the Viking age. Burial sites uncovered all across Nordic countries and the British isles prominently feature these instruments. Dice-based games were widely used to pass time or win wagers among these people.

Another indoor game played by Vikings was called tafl. It was a tactics-based board game not unlike chess. Some historians hold the opinion that a popular bronze figure that was unearthed in north Iceland was actually a piece in a board game and not an idol as initially presumed. The statuette depicts a man sitting down, holding his beard.

Tafl presents one of the sides with uneven odds, encompassing him and allowing him fewer figurines. We’re unsure of the exact rules of the game but seemingly, the player on one side had to defend a king with his consort from a surrounding army. Almost all of these games were played with an audience around. Betting was likely encouraged from onlookers as well as the players themselves. There was also likely quite an amount of insults, jokes, and banter being traded.

Drinking games

Some other games were based on drinking. Excessive alcohol consumption seems to have been a normal thing at feasts or other festive occasions. Men of high social status usually had women assigned as their drinking companions for the night. Other men were expected to pair up independently.

One of the drinking games would have a pair of men match drinks and engage in verbal sparring. The participants would down a drink and then recite an impromptu poetry verse. Imagine a rap battle but with drunk Vikings. You would inflate your achievements and courage in your verses while degrading and taunting your opponent. As you got drunker and drunker, the verses became more ridiculous and intense. Whoever outlasted the other or managed to show more skill with his poetry throughout would win.

Summary

Viking gambling practices weren’t reserved for any particular layer of society. Gambling happened everywhere and in all echelons. The sagas are full of stories of kings and other nobility engaging in this form of entertainment one way or another. Even to the point, where territorial disputes have been settled via gambling. The Vikings possessed an extensive cultural background of gambling and gaming. This is reflected even in the stories about their Gods. Hopefully, this article sheds a different light on these fascinating, even if sometimes brutal people.

Let’s finish this off with a little legend. One of the stories recounts a mid-war parlay between the kings of Norway and Sweden in the 11th century. The parlay managed to establish peace, except one issue – the ownership of the Hisingel island remained a contested point. The kings agreed to roll dice to settle the dispute. The king of Sweden rolled two sixes and assumed the matter settled. However, the king of Norway rolled his dice anyway, rolling one six while the second die cracked in two, showing a 3 and 4 simultaneously. 13 points beat Sweden’s 12 and Norway took the island.

Photo Credits

Viking Ship – pixabay creative commons

Glima – Wikimedia creative commons

Tafl – Wikimedia creative commons

Viking – pixabay creative commons

Guest Author Bio
Mike Daniels

Mike Daniels is a historian with over a decade of experience. He specializes in the histories of Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Baltics region. Mike keeps himself up to date with the most recent updates that are coming from those parts of the world. In his spare time, he loves to travel with his dog named Daisy.

History of Dyes

Though textile dyeing dates back to during the Neolithic period, the first documented use of dyes through written record was in China in 2600 B.C., nearly five thousand years ago. The next documented use was in Rome in 715 B.C., when wool dyeing was established as an art and craft two thousand years later. However, textile dyeing is common in cultures and civilizations in different times and places, often with differing locally natural products.

Natural Dyes

Sources like vegetables, fruits, animals, and other plants served as the original raw materials used in natural dyes. Some of these are still used today. However, in the middle of the nineteenth century, the first synthetic dyes were developed, which are what most dyes we use today.

Some of the most notable natural dyes include indigo, Tyrian purple, alizarin, logwood, and yellow, with indigo being the oldest of these and logwood being the only one that remains in modern usage.

Synthetic Dyes

The Industrial Revolution and its resulting growth in the textiles industry meant the need for quick and cheap dyes skyrocketed. Thus, the already existing difficulties of using natural dyes were that much more prominent and discouraging, leading to innovation that paved the way for synthetic dyes to take the textiles industry and every other industry by storm. The economy needed dyes that were extremely inexpensive, easy to use, long-lasting, and allowed for variety in color, a need that was unmet in the current market.

In 1856, William Henry Perkin was the first to discover the synthetic dyestuff of mauve, which is different from our modern mauveine, while researching for cures for malaria. This spurred the dye industry and even organic chemistry in general. After doing lengthy research on the use of coal tar, a German scientist was able to isolate more than 50 compounds to use in the creation of synthetic dyes in 1914. This marked the birth of a new industry, leading to the thousands of synthetic dyes now in existence today.

Use of Mordants

Mordants enable the dyes to stick to the surface of a number of different things, such as fabric, wood, or others. For example, a mordant such as copper might be used with a natural dye to ensure the color stays. Mordants can also be very beneficial in helping objects be different shades or hues of a color. Mordants have thus become an often inseparable part of the modern dyeing process.

Organic and Inorganic Pigments

There are different kinds of pigments, namely options between organic and inorganic ones. Stated simply, organic pigments contain carbon in their molecular makeup while inorganic pigments do not. Organic pigments are brighter but fade much quicker in comparison to inorganic pigments. This is important information when deciding what to choose for whatever you want to make. Also, keep in mind that dyes and pigments are not the same thing. A key difference is that dyes are usually soluble and pigments are usually insoluble in water.

Food Dyes

A different use of dyes exists for aesthetic purposes for food. This use of dye is heavily regulated as it is part of food. Most food dyes are synthetic here as well, though some remain natural. Food dye is popular for both commercial and domestic cooking.

Dyes and other pigmentation are used in virtually every industry in addition to textiles in the United States and the world. As dye technology continues to progress and innovation continues to be needed, we can look forward to seeing this industry become more sustainable with less of an environmental impact. Ultimately, the impact of this seemingly small innovation has been more than disproportionate — it has been revolutionary in so many things that are part of our daily lives.

Photo Credits

Easter Eggs – pixabay creative commons

All other photos from Shuterstock

Guest Author Bio
Amy Williams
Amy Williams is a free-lance journalist based in Southern California and mother of two. As a parent, she enjoys spreading the word on positive parenting techniques in the digital age and raising awareness on issues like cyberbullying and online safety.

Formerly known as Annapolis Highland Winery, the operation ​is owned by Brendan & Karen Enright and Piers Greenwood. Casa Nova is currently crafting wine, cider and cello with ingredients sourced from some of the oldest orchards in ​all of Nova Scotia.

This is no empty boast, as the early French settlers in this province, the Acadians, have been planting orchards and growing fruit since, well 1606, not coincidentally the name of the 1606 Good Cheer Cider.

Over the Labour Day Weekend we were lucky enough to find ourselves visiting the Casa Nova property on the way back from a weekend of watching whales cavort in the nearby Bay of Fundy. Casa Nova’s representative, the amiable Bob Bojarski, gave us a tour of the facility and then sat us down on a terrace shaded by Nova Scotia’s oldest tulip tree to try some of the “fruits” of their labour.

Buddy’s Craft Cider is their flagship beverage and is available on site as well as in many Nova Scotia Liquor Commission shops. Made from a blend of rare valley apples with no preservatives or added flavouring agents the first sip was like biting into a crisp, juicy apple. This cider won a bronze medal in the 2018 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada, beating many competitors, including those of some of the oldest established cideries in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

On site you can get it in reasonably priced one- and two-litre containers, perfect for picnics. The 1606 Good Cheer Cider has one additional apple in the blend. Named for the Order of Good Cheer founded by Samuel Champlain and his men in 1606 at nearby Port Royal (now Annapolis Royal), this beverage is steeped in history with a more formal and traditional savour.

We also sampled the Buddy’s blueberry cider, loaded not only with flavour but also with the potent antioxidants found in local blueberries.

Finally we tried the Baron’s Red, a fruity red wine meant, like a Beaujolais, to be enjoyed young and slightly chilled.

Located on the Clementsvale Road in Bear River, Casa Nova should be on your destination list when you travel through Nova Scotia.

If you go…

Case Nova Fine Beverages

(902) 467-0363

​​2635 Clementsvale Rd,
Bear River, Nova Scotia
​BOS 1BO

Photo credits

Article by George Burden and Stella Burden-van der Lugt
Photos by Stella Burden-van der Lugt—All rights reserved.

I am a Mexican-American, and many days, the hyphen seems more significant than the words on either side of it. Overall, I feel privileged to be able to call myself both American and Mexican. However, it’s not all that simple.

Spanish, English, or Spanglish?

The biggest problem with belonging to multiple cultures is never feeling like you fully belong to either one of them. In elementary school, I never quite realized that I was in any way different from any of my classmates, much less did I think I was any less American; I stood up and recited every word of the Pledge of Allegiance, and I learned all the patriotic songs in music class.

At some point, however, I realized that I was in fact different. It wasn’t only the Mexican jokes, which were well-intended enough. Throughout the years, I just developed a self-awareness about differences between my Caucasian friends and their families, and me and mine.

Even speaking two languages came with its drawbacks. As I mentioned, my mom dedicated a lot of her time to making sure we learned Spanish and knew about our culture. The books she read us in Spanish taught us about our culture, she got us workbooks to practice writing in Spanish, and she would put on educational shows for kids, like Sesame Street, for us to watch in Spanish.

As I got older, when I spoke Spanish in the U.S., I felt like my accent was close to perfect. Speaking with my family in Mexico, however, proved different, and my family even told me that I have a gringo accent. Also, though I spoke and wrote really well in both English and Spanish, I used each language for different vocabularies. Spanish was more casual, since I spoke it with my parents at home, and English was more formal since I spoke it primarily at school.

In reading class in fifth grade, it was my turn to read and ask a vocabulary word that I didn’t know. I chose the word “gutter,” because I had never heard it before. Of course, a fifth grader should know what a gutter is, but I had always called it a “coladera,” in Spanish. The teacher looked at me incredulously, obviously questioning my intelligence, and I was embarrassed.

Looking back, I know that this teacher was culturally insensitive, and now I can reflect on the many benefits that come from being bilingual — even more so now that I can speak French as well. However, this thought did not cross my mind at such a young age.

Raising Your Kids in a Different Culture

Though there were many differences that I didn’t mind, like the homemade Mexican dishes my mom cooked for us, the ability to speak Spanish, the trips to Mexico, and more, there were other differences I didn’t like growing up. For example, my parents were much stricter than the parents of any white friend I had. Hanging out with my friends involved negotiating when I was lucky enough not to receive an upfront no. Looking back, I can see that my parents were just trying to protect me, but I sure didn’t see it that way when I was younger.

Of course, some differences are much more significant than that. There are some experiences my parents had that I will never have because we grew up in different countries. I never got to experience my family’s ranch the way my father did, spending summers with the extended family, riding horses day after day, living without electricity or hot water. Even smaller things, like going to the Mexican ice cream places my mom used to beg her parents to take her to, or eat the street food she used to eat.

I have visited Mexico many times. Most of my family lives in Arizona, on the border with Mexico, and every Christmas, we all meet up there. We always spend at least one day in Mexico, going shopping, to the movies, and to eat. I have even stayed with my family in Jalisco for weeks at a time. I treasure these visits as they let me experience a modern version of my parent’s childhood: I get small snippets and tiny bites here and there of what my life would have been like if my parents hadn’t decided to move.

Raising your family in a different culture also comes with risks. Discrimination, hate crimes, and other forms of racism are part of many immigrants daily lives. I was lucky enough never to have to face any intense form of this as I grew up, but my cousins in Arizona were not as lucky.

Fortunately, the world seems to be embracing diversity — despite political setbacks. As the world embraces globalization, coming from a different culture won’t feel so intensely foreign. Across college campuses, classes are filling with more and more international students every semester, there is more diverse representation in films, and projections show that the U.S. won’t even have a racial majority by 2045.

Ultimately, I am grateful to see the world through two perspectives that are equally my own. As I have grown older, I have realized that it’s a blessing to be able to be so widely part of both worlds. I am thankful to my parents for all and every opportunity I have because of them. I have grown to love the hyphen. I am a Mexican-American.

Photo Credits

Photo from pexels – creative commons

Guest Author Bio
Geo Sique

Geo Sique is a writer from Boise, ID with a bachelor’s’ degrees in Communication and French and a background in journalism. When she’s not travelling outside Idaho, she loves rock climbing, hot springs, camping, and exploring the world around her.

Website: Georgette Siqueiros