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Introducing...
the Mongolian Ger
The ger is more than just a place to live - for Mongolians it represents the entire universe. The five elements of water, fire, wood, metal, and water are all represented in its construction, and the two central supports represent the husband and wife, as they jointly support the family. Mongolians are rightly famous for their warm hospitality, but it is useful to keep in mind some etiquette tips when visiting a ger.
1) Roll down your sleeves, or if wearing a t-shirt make the action of rolling your sleeves down. This indicates that you have come in peace. For the same reason, leave your weapons outside.
2) Fire is sacred, so it is very impolite to dispose of rubbish on the fire.
3) Don't pass or accept anything with the left hand - in Mongolia the right hand is the "good" hand.
4) Don't stand on the threshold of the ger - it will surely bring bad luck to the family. A more practical reason may be that it could affect the stability of the ger, and you would also be either blocking out the light or letting in the cold.
5) The head has an elevated status in Mongolian culture, while feet are considered to be much more lowly appendages. As such, avoid touching other people's hats, or pointing your feet at somebody. If you accidentally touch someone with your foot, an immediate handshake is in order.
For your chance to experience Mongolian hospitality with photographer Nick Rains, visit us here.
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Photo by Matt Kraus
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"Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever...it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."
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There is a Chinese saying: "The Guilin landscape has the finest scenery under heaven, and Yangshuo the most beautiful of all." It may sound like hyperbole, but a visit to the Chinese province of Guangxi will dispel any doubts. The weirdly shaped karst peaks provide a disctinctive backdrop to the rivers and rural life of the area, and you will feel as though you have stepped inside a traditional Chinese scroll painting.
Enjoying a sub-tropical climate, the land is extremely fertile and a centre for rice production.Rice paddies and groves of fruit trees nestle in the valleys, and much of the arduous farm work is done without modern machinery. It is common to see sleepy-eyed water buffalo working in the fields, or relaxing after a hard day's work.
Being home to several minority groups, Guangxi is known for its cultural diversity. The largest group is the Zhuang. They are centred in the more mountainous region of the province in an area known as the Dragon's Backbone - so called because of the rice terraces clinging to the hillside. In these villages you can admire the traditional wooden architecture, and sample some homemade rice wine - highly recommended!
You can join our Guest Artists George deWolfe and Lydia Goetze this September when they explore this landscape through the lens of their Contemplative style of photography.
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Focus on culture: Guanxi
Guanxi is the system of relationships, networks, and connections, and is an integral part of Chinese culture.It is important not only in business relationships, but in personal ones as well. Having good guanxi means that you have a wide network of people to ask favours of, and they in turn will be able to help you. Guanxi can affect all areas of life - it may be used to get a child into a good school, help avoid a penalty, find a new apartment, or set up a new business.
Guanxi can take many forms - it may involve the giving of gifts, providing a useful introduction, or even the giving of "face" - for example showing respect or offering praise in front of others. Building the mutual trust and respect these relationships require takes time to develop, and one mis-step can see a person's guanxi evaporate in an instant.
The idea of guanxi has been around for hundreds of years, but is also adapting to the new ways of communicating. Researchers are now looking into whether networks developed through social media will have the same status as traditional guanxi relationships. If so, it may be time to make more facebook friends!
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Seen around China...
It is a confronting sight to come across this symbol, so loaded with negative connotations, in Buddhist temples. However, the swastika is an ancient religious symbol, thought to have originated in India. With the spread of Buddhism into China the symbol came to be adopted by Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist sects It represents purity, longevity, fertility, prosperity, and abundance. The arms of the Buddhist swastika are arranged in the opposite direction to that used by the Nazis.
The swastika is an extremely auspicious symbol in Buddhist thought. It represents the footsteps of the Buddha, is thought to contain the whole mind of the Buddha, and is often referred to as "The Seal on Buddha's Heart." It can be found imprinted on the chest, feet, or palms of Buddha statues, and is also used to decorate temples and sacred objects. As it contains such powerful meaning, the swastika is also used to mark the beginnings of the most sacred Buddhist texts. Hopefully the Buddhist swastika will one day be able to reclaim its original meaning.
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