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Is there an ideal travel factor? Absolutely not. Some individuals go for the beaches, hiking trails, and wildlife, while others are foodies looking to challenge their taste senses.
On the far end is a group of explorers who do not believe in any of the aforementioned ideas. For them, culture is the real deal. With the world as one little global village, cross-cultural travel is an excellent opportunity for vacationers to stretch their existing imaginary boundaries and get fresh insights.
Here are ten civilizations that demonstrate why cross-cultural travel is highly addicting.
Buddhism in Bhutan
When it comes to Buddhism, most people think of India. However, Buddhism has broader implications than only India. While India is where the concept originated, a small country called Bhutan takes Buddhism more seriously. In this country, prosperity is assessed in terms of gross national happiness (GNH) rather than gross national product (GDP), as is done elsewhere. As a result, people here are always upbeat, making it an enjoyable destination to explore.
The Kazakhs of Kazakhstan
The Kazakhs have a cultural environment that every tourist would appreciate. The tribe has a semi-nomadic existence, moving between the lowlands and mountains of Kazakhstan. Kazakh culture has remained mostly unchanged since the early 15th century. Hunting with eagles is an important part of this culture for travelers to experience. As a celebration of their lineage, they even hold a festival in which they ascend mountain tops on the backs of trained horses, with eagles swooping overhead.
The Dinka of the Nile
The Dinka, often known as the ‘Animal Keepers of Sudan’, are a pastoralist community that have lived their entire lives. They believe it has nothing to do with profits. It’s all about the heritage. This culture is exclusive to the Nile’s east and west banks, and it has little regard for civilization. However, they are friendly and engaging with tourists.
Rtveli Wine Harvest in Georgia
Vacationers do not have to limit themselves to Asia or Africa. Europe also has some fascinating civilizations to discover. The Republic of Georgia, located in Eastern Europe, celebrates the Rtveli Wine Harvest. It is a UNESCO-designated global heritage site that has existed for more than 8,000 years. During the autumn, Georgians harvest their grapes and prepare them for fermentation. Vacationers with a month or so to spare can wait for the wine to mature before sampling it.
The Sami of Finland
Sami is one of Europe’s oldest cultures, and it still dominates some areas. Today, the Sami can be found throughout Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Something more intriguing about their culture is the domestication of reindeer. Whatever the outside world perceives as wild animals is domestic to them. The Sami have their own language as well as communication channels and mechanisms for advocating for their causes.
The Nubians of Egypt
Africa tops the list of civilizations to explore for a reason. These cultures have withstood the test of time, and even Western civilization was unable to eradicate them. The Nubians have a thriving culture, characterized by a distinct language and traditional architecture. The cuisine of the region is part of the culture to be discovered. More remarkable about these individuals is that they maintain unusual pets like crocodiles.
The Huli of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is a fascinating slice of history to examine on its own. However, there is something larger than that: the Huli people. They present themselves as bold warriors who paint their faces different colors for a variety of reasons. Huli men, dressed in red ochre, snakeskin on the forehead, and kina shells strung around their necks, have the perfect charm to captivate beautiful girls.
The Maasai of East Africa
The Maasai, who live in Tanzania and Kenya, are a unique tribe whose traditional practices never cease to amaze. Every aspect of this culture is fascinating. Vacationers require firsthand familiarity with this culture, from the way they dance to the way they dress. Cattle, to them, are a status symbol that can never be exchanged for money. They live off raw flesh and blood.
The Juma of Brazil
The Juma are an ethnic group in the Amazon that is on the verge of extinction. This indigenous community once numbered thousands, but now only four survive. They find it difficult to live somewhere else because the river is such an important part of their lives. The best time for travelers to visit this hamlet is now, as its extinction has never been closer.
The Bajo of Southeast Asia
The Bajo is a distinct community on its own. The Bajo live in the maritime regions of Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, leading a nomadic existence. However, because they are sea nomads, their nomadism takes on a new form. Every cultural fan should see how these folks move deep into the sea without the use of specialist diving equipment.