Among many Kazakh traditions is the ancient art of eagle hunting.For more than two centuries, Kazakh men have hunted on horseback with trained golden eagles. Across mountains and steppes, a large variety of animals – including rabbits, marmots, foxes and even wolves – are hunted for their fur, an integral part of traditional Kazakh clothing. The skill of training a golden eagle is passed on through generations. Eagle hunters wear boots, black coats and fox-fur hats called loovuuz.
Huli, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
The traditional highland apparel is scant: women wear grass skirts, men wear nothing but a koteka, or penis gourd. However, to impress and scare off the enemy, men go to considerably more effort. The largest highland tribe are the Huli Wigmen, who paint their faces yellow, red, and white. and are famous for their tradition of making ornamental wigs from their own hair. These look like plumed hats, intricately decorated with feathers of birds of paradise and parrots. Other ornaments include shells, beads, pig tusks, hornbill skulls and foliage.
Asaro, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
The mudmen could not cover their faces with mud because the people of Papua New Guinea thought that the mud from the Asaro river was poisonous. So instead of covering their faces with this alleged poison, they made masks from pebbles that they heated and water from the waterfall, with unusual designs such as long or very shortears either going down to the chin or sticking up at the top,long joined eyebrows attached to the top of the ears, horns and sideways mouths.
Kalam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
The highlanders live by hunting, done primarily by men, and by gathering plants and growing crops, done primarily by women. The men help clear the land, but the rest of the cultivation is the responsibility of the women. The residents have plenty of good food, close-knit families and a great respect for the wonders of nature.
Goroka, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Though only discovered in the beginning of the 20th century it is now host of a major tourist attraction, the Goroka show. The renowned Goroka Show is a three-day event that takes place annually around the time of the country's Independence Day (September 16). Dating back to 1957, it is the oldest tribal gathering in Papua New Guinea. Over 100 tribes from the region show their music, dance and culture.
Maori, New Zealand
As a polytheist culture, the Maori worshipped many gods, goddesses and spirits. Maori believe that ancestors and supernatural beings are ever-present and able to help the tribe in times of need. Myths are set in the remote past. They present Maori ideas about the creation of the universe and the origins of gods and of people.
Samburu, Kenya
The scenic Ndoto Mountain Ranges of northern Kenya are part of the ruggedly beautiful and still unspoilt country of the Samburu nomadic people. Proud, happy, friendly, they defy the modern world to go about their traditional business and still cherish the customs and colourful ceremonies of their ancestors.
Mursi, Ethiopia
The Mursi are considered to be a rather primitive tribe within the Omo Valley, even though their way of living isn’t so different compared to other tribes. Mursi have always shown reluctant and aggressive behaviour towards foreigners in general, but since tourists have found their way to their land, that attitude has become
even worse.
Vanuatu, Vanuatu Islands
Rah Lava is one of two small, remote islands that belong to the Banks Islands group of the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. Their isolation from the rest of the world and the pristine, resource-abundant surrounding natural environment have led to the emergence of a unique culture and lifestyle.
Chukchi, Siberia
The ancient Arctic Chukchi live on the peninsula of the Chukotka. Unlike other native groups of Siberia, they have never been conquered by Russian troops. Their environment and traditional culture endured destruction under Soviet rule, by weapons testing and pollution. “The way you treat your dog in this life determines your place in heaven” Due to the harsh climate and difficulty of life in the tundra, hospitality and generosity are highly prized among the Chukchi. They believe that all natural phenomena are considered to have their own spirits. Traditional lifestyle still survives but is increasingly supplemented.
Dropka, India
Around 2,500 Drokpas live in three small villages in a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. The only fertile valley of Ladakh. The Drokpas are completely different– physically, culturally, linguistically and socially – from the Tibeto-Burman inhabitants of most of Ladakh. For centuries, the Drokpas have been indulging in public kissing and wife-swapping without inhibitions. Their cultural exuberance is reflected in exquisite dresses and ornaments. Their main sources of income are products from the well-tended vegetable gardens.
