Culture & Traditions
Cultures and Traditions takes a look at how people interact with each other. This might be through sub-cultures, relationships, fads or religion and spirituality.
Inside LA's Forest Lawn, Where the Biggest Celebrities Rest in Peace
Is Human Composting the Greenest Burial Option?
What's With Germany's Strict Burial Regulations?
Try a Tattoo Without the Commitment
Ways to Keep Your Old Tattoos Looking Fresh and New
The Nose Knows: 5 Questions to Ask Before a Septum Piercing
What Are the 10 Largest Cities in the World by Population?
Sacred Pipes Mean Way More Than Peace for Native Americans
Chautauqua Has Promoted Free Speech and Learning for Nearly 150 Years
Januarius, Februarius, Mars, Aprilis? How Each Month Got Its Name
New Oxford Dictionary Will Document African American English Lexicon
How Are Words Removed From a Dictionary?
Celebratory Yard Signs Are Having a Major Moment
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! You Know the Jingle, Now Hear the Chia Pet Story
Has Guinness World Records Set Any World Records?
5 Family Traditions for New Babies
5 Family Anniversary Traditions
5 Family Traditions for Daughters
La Pascualita: Bridal Shop Mannequin or Embalmed Corpse?
What Is the Real Meaning Behind 'Ring Around the Rosie'?
If You Hear the Cries of La Llorona, Run
The Firm vs. the Family: How Does the British Monarchy Really Work?
What's the Difference Between a Duke and an Earl?
Having a Cherokee Ancestor Doesn’t Necessarily Make You Cherokee Too
How the Millennial Generation Works
Millennials Are Making Birthday Cards a Thing Again
Nope, Boomers and Xers Don’t Work Harder Than Millennials
What Do A.M. and P.M. Stand For?
The 'X' Factor: Why Some Advocates Prefer 'Latine' to 'Latinx'
Why Do We Say White Collar and Blue Collar?
Mexico's Night of the Radishes, a Quirky Christmas Tradition
How the 19th Century Invented Modern Christmas
Official White House Christmas Ornaments Are a 40-Year Tradition
What Are the Most Common Last Names in the World?
A Look at the White House's Most Memorable Weddings
The Immigrant Paradox: Why Acculturation Should Not Mean Assimilation
There's More Than One Way to Be Monogamous
Hey Dad! The Famous Fathers Quiz
Famous Mothers Quiz
Why Are the Biblical Gog and Magog Considered Sinister?
The Sacred History of 'Mormon Underwear'
What Does 'Shana Tova' Mean?
Reading the Rails: What Was the Hobo Code?
Afrofuturism: Where Technology, Culture and the Black Experience Meet
Who Is Karen and Why Is She So Mad?
Quiz: Finish That Jingle!
How One Woman Unexpectedly Became the Voice of Siri
There's a Healthier Way to Consume Your Media
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Ancient Greeks and Romans used thin strips of lead to vent their frustrations or write messages to the gods.
The Bible doesn't say exactly when Jesus was born but a close reading of the text gives us clues to a more correct date than Dec. 25. And why was that date chosen away? It has nothing to do with pagan religions.
By Dave Roos
In 1957, a woman named Frances Kipps Spencer invented "Chrismons" to decorate her church's sanctuary and to remind parishioners of the true meaning behind the Christian celebration of Christmas.
By Carrie Tatro
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Step aside, St. Nick. Butt out, Rudolph. In this special Yuletide quiz, we're saluting another beloved member of the Christmas character pantheon: the one and only Missus Claus.
By Mark Mancini
Interfaith families exist all over the world and this is the time of year when discussions focus on how to celebrate the holidays.
By Samira Mehta
Buddhist nuns and female scholars are gaining new leadership roles, in a tradition that began with the ordination of Buddha's foster mother.
By Jue Liang
President Biden's menorah lighting promises to prioritize ritual over reception, focusing on the lighting of the traditional Hanukkah candelabrum itself.
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Papa Legba is a figure that stands as a mysterious link between the human and spirit worlds in the religion of Vodou, but who is he and what's his story?
News headlines predict dire shortages of goods for the holiday season. But there are tons of gifts out there that don't depend on the supply chain from overseas.
By Alia Hoyt
Prayer apps are not new — they've been around since 2010. But how effective are they and can they replace the value of a religious community?
It's a phrase appropriate to Thanksgiving as well as other times of the year. But the most popular origin story has a disturbing explanation.
By Alia Hoyt
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You may experience sticker shock at the funeral home when you see the price of caskets. Why do they cost so much and is there anything you can do about the price?
By Dave Roos
The biblical King Solomon is depicted as being very rich, very wise and very married to hundreds of women. But there is little evidence outside of the Bible that he existed. So what has been found so far?
By Dave Roos
If you travel to the small Island of the Dolls in Xochimilco, near Mexico City, listen closely. You may hear the whispered conversations of the dolls that hang around.
The process requires a rigorous examination of the life and holiness of a candidate and involves several stages that can last years or even centuries.
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No one ever says "heveled" or "gruntled." Do these words even exist? Not every word needs an opposite to prop it up. Here's why.
Shabbat is the holiday that is central to Jewish life, occurring every Friday at sunset to Saturday night. But what is it and how is it observed?
By Dave Roos
You've surely heard it in the movies even if you've never used it. So who came up with the phonetic alphabet and why is it used?
The Jewish High Holy Days commemorate concepts such as renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.
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The roots of the Taliban's religious beliefs – Deobandi Islam – can be traced to 19th century colonial India.
By Sohel Rana & Sumit Ganguly
Dr. Anthony Fauci has famously said he hopes the handshake never comes back. If it doesn't, is the elbow bump the most logical greeting to replace it? If it's not, what is?
Sharia, which is Islamic law, can strike some people in the West as draconian and harsh. Is this an accurate portrayal?
By Dave Roos
Victorian etiquette wasn't just about sending a thank you note or holding a door open. There were a jillion rules of propriety to observe. How many of these do you know?
By Alia Hoyt
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Whether these people knew it or not, their famous last words made a real statement. How many can you figure out?
By Alia Hoyt
A scholar of religion explains why the Islamic New Year never falls on the same date and depends on the sighting of the moon.
By Igbal Akhtar