Asian Culture: Traditions of the Far East

A region rich in history, Asia boasts some of the most intriguing, unusual customs found throughout the world. While other cultures have assimilated some of these customs, many remain unique to the area. Whether a reflection of religion, family history, or tradition, such customs stand out as true symbols of vibrant and exceptional cultures.

In the Philippines, wedding ceremonies hold great weight and entail a number of important customs. One such tradition involves the groom tossing a spear onto the family home of his bride. Today, a gold ring generally replaces the spear. In this region, wedding ceremonies also often last for three days and are finalized by the tying together of the bride and groom’s hands as they are finally declared husband and wife.

A major religion throughout many parts of Asia, Buddhism represents one of the oldest traditions in the world. Divided into many types, Buddhism stands out as a spiritual way of life first outlined by Buddha. Customs often associated with this religion include meditation and chanting. Devout Buddhist monks also wear a traditional saffron or orange robe, called a civara in Sanskrit.

Practiced in parts of Taiwan, tea picking is also an interesting custom. A form of musical entertainment, tea pickers will often sing songs, with each individual or group singing different parts of the tune. This practice has grown into an elaborate, theatrical affair, and one can now view tea-picking operas.

About the Author:

Passionate about travel, Randy Blum brings other cultures and places to individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to encounter them. Randy Blum acts as the President of Blum Virtual Travel and serves as a member of the Amateur Athletic Union. In his free time, he enjoys reading Stephen King and Jeffrey Archer novels.