Today is thefirst of December and in December I like to do some Christmas related posts. I will kick this off with the country most often associated with Christmas.
This country is Germany, thanks to its iconic traditions like Christmas markets, the Advent calendar, and the decorated Christmas tree.
Christmas is celebrated by 81% of Germans, including many who aren’t religious.
Are you asking why Germany?
Germany celebrates Christmas with deep-rooted traditions that blend festive cheer, family gatherings, and unique customs like Advent calendars, Christmas markets, and St. Nicholas Day. It’s one of the most beloved holidays in the country, marked by rituals that have influenced celebrations worldwide.
The modern decorated Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th century, before spreading worldwide.
Also, there are the Christmas markets, Germany is famous for its enchanting Weihnachtsmärkte, with stalls selling ornaments, mulled wine (Glühwein), and festive foods. These markets are thought to have started in Germany and are now replicated globally.
We can also thank them for The Advent calendar and Advent wreath as both began in Germany, shaping how many cultures countdown to Christmas. Most will have heard of the calendar but maybe not the Advent wreaths these involvefour candles being lit on successive Sundays leading up to Christmas.
St. Nicholas Day is on December 5th, children polish their boots and leave them outside. By morning, they’re filled with nuts, candy, or small gifts from St. Nicholas.
In Bavaria, there is Krampus Night men dress as Krampus, a devilish figure who punishes naughty children, accompanying St. Nicholas.
On Christmas Eve families decorate the tree, exchange gifts, and share a festive meal. Potato salad with sausages is a surprisingly common traditional dish.
Both of their Christmas Days the 25 & 26 are public holidays. Families gather for larger meals, often featuring roast goose, carp, or duck.
Popular gifts include vouchers or money (44%), sweets (37%), toys (34%), clothing (32%), and books (30%).
Other countries strongly linked to Christmas include the United States (for popular culture and Santa Claus imagery) and the United Kingdom (for customs like Christmas crackers and carols). Which I will cover in another post.
Well today in Australia it is the 31 October, in my family that means it is my baby brother’s birthday, however for some it means it is Halloween.
In the past, Halloween was not a major event in Australia, for many it was something we saw in American movies and TV shows.
Early European settlers, including the Irish, brought some customs with them, but these traditions were largely overshadowed by other local and British influences.
However, in recent years, things have been changing due to the influence of American media, globalisation, and the internet now in some parts of the country there has been a significant rise in Halloween festivities. There has been a gradually growth in popularity, particularly in the past two decades, bringing with it a mix of imported customs and unique local touches.
Participation varies by suburb, with some areas embracing the tradition and others remaining less involved.
While many Halloween customs come from overseas, Aussies have added their own flavour. Costumes sometimes feature native animals like kangaroos or kookaburras dressed in spooky attire. Given that Halloween falls in spring in Australia, costumes and decorations may be lighter and more suited to warmer weather compared to the autumn chill of the northern hemisphere.
Some Australians combine Halloween with other local traditions, such as backyard BBQs or gatherings in local parks. The lollies handed out often reflect local brands and tastes, with Freddo Frogs, Caramello Koalas, and Minties being common treats.
Halloween’s rise in popularity hasn’t come without debate. Some Australians see it as an unwelcome American import, while others enjoy the sense of fun and community. In some areas, neighbours signal their participation by decorating their homes or placing balloons on their letterboxes, letting trick-or-treaters know where they are welcome.
Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to travel in groups and only visit homes displaying Halloween decorations.
Costumes should be safe and visible, especially as the sun sets later during the Australian spring.
Respect for those who choose not to participate is important—no eggs or flour should be thrown at houses that don’t join in.
Halloween in Australia is a lively and evolving celebration. While it may have started as a minor event, its popularity continues to grow, fuelled by media, community enthusiasm, and a desire for light-hearted fun. Australians have made the festival their own, blending traditional customs with local culture to create a unique and enjoyable occasion for all ages.
Hi, everyone well Friday is here again and today so here is some information about the national anthem of Indonesia. The anthem is called Indonesia Raya it has been the national anthem since the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945.
The first stanza of “Indonesia Raya” was chosen as the national anthem when Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945.
The song is played in flag raising ceremonies in schools across Indonesia every Monday. The flag is raised in a solemn and timed motion so that it reaches the top of the flagpole as the anthem ends. The main flag raising ceremony is held annually on 17 August to commemorate Independence Day. The ceremony is led by the President and is usually held in Merdeka Palace.
In 1951, ownership of the copyright to “Indonesia Raya” came into question. President Sukarno ordered a search for the rightful heir to Soepratman. By law, Supratman was the copyright holder of “Indonesia Raya” as its composer. After Soepratman’s death in 1938, ownership of the rights to his works fell upon the designated heirs, his four surviving sisters. However, because “Indonesia Raya” was officially adopted as the national anthem of Indonesia on 17 August 1945, the work became the property of the state. In addition, the name of “Wage Rudolf Supratman” must be listed as its creator.
As a national anthem, copies of “Indonesia Raya” cannot be circulated as merchandise to be sold. Consequently, the government had the obligation to obtain all the rights to distribute the song, including the original recording, from Yo Kim Tjan. In 1958, the government obtained the sole right to “Indonesia Raya” from Soepratman’s family. The following year, Yo handed the original record of the song to the Indonesian government. With the recommendation of the Department of Education, the government also rewarded Soepratman’s sisters with 250,000 Indonesian rupiah each on 31 May 1960.
Ok well since I wrote about Afghanistan on Monday I will post about their national anthem.
The country has had a number of different national anthems throughout its history as the country has changed governments numerous times mostly resulting from political instability.
In 2004, the new Afghan constitution stated that a new national anthem for the country, requested by the post-Taliban government to signal a new era for Afghanistan, must be written in Pashto and contain the phrase “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great), and mention the names of the ethnic groups in Afghanistan. The winning composition was created by two Afghans living outside the country due to the war.
There has been some criticism of the anthem due to the above stated conditions of composition, that the Pashto requirement places less importance on the other languages spoken in the country; that the phrase “Allahu Akbar” should not be used in the anthem, as it is a sacred phrase in Islam and should not be set to music; and the ethnic groups mentioned in the anthem still do not represent the entire spectrum of nationalities in the country.
On August 15, 2021, the Afghan government fell to the extremist Islamic forces of the Taliban, who effectively controlled the country following that date. The government and its supporters continue to use this anthem in exile.
Here is the English translation
1. This land is Afghanistan It is pride of every Afghan The land of peace, the land of sword Its sons are all braves
2. This is the country of every tribe Land of Baloochs, and Uzbeks Pashtoons, and Hazaras Turkman and Tajiks
3. With them, Arabs and Gojars Pamirian, Nooristanian Barahawi, and Qizilbash Also Aimaq, and Pashaye
4. This Land will shine for ever Like the sun in the blue sky In the chest of Asia It will remain as heart for ever
5. We will follow the one God We all say, Allah is great, we all say, Allah is great, we all say, Allah is great
This week we are looking at the country of Afghanistan, this is a country that for some reason I didn’t think of as being part of Asia, but it is.
It is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, South, and Western Asia. It has a rich and complex history as a hub of diverse cultures and civilizations, but its recent history has been defined by decades of conflict and instability.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country has faced a severe humanitarian and economic crisis. The de facto Taliban government has not been formally recognised by most of the international community.
The situation remains volatile and dangerous. The Taliban government is led by Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is also active and continues to conduct violent attacks. The country is considered extremely dangerous for travel due to the high threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.
The country is experiencing one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Factors contributing to this include economic mismanagement, a significant reduction in international aid, and the departure of many skilled professionals. The country’s GDP has seen a decline since 2021, and poverty and food insecurity are pressing challenges.
The Taliban has reimposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law, leading to severe human rights abuses. These are particularly acute for women and girls, who have been banned from secondary and university education, are largely excluded from public and economic life, and face restrictions on their movement and dress.
The current government is the “interim government” declared by the Taliban. It is a highly centralized system, and many of the human rights gains made over the previous two decades have been reversed.
The Afghan economy has been pushed into a crisis but has shown some signs of a slow recovery driven primarily by agriculture, mining, construction, and commerce. However, challenges remain due to a fragile banking sector, persistent unemployment, and limitations on women’s economic participation. Afghanistan’s economy relies heavily on foreign aid, although this has been significantly reduced since the Taliban’s takeover.
The country has substantial untapped mineral deposits, including lithium, iron, and copper. Traditional exports include dried fruits, nuts, and carpets.
Afghanistan is often referred to as the “graveyard of empires” due to its history of resisting foreign occupation. It has been a crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years, with influences from Persian, Greek, Buddhist, and Islamic empires. The modern state was founded in the 18th century. Since the late 1970s, the country has been mired in continuous warfare, including the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the US-led coalition’s presence from 2001 to 2021.
Afghan culture is a rich tapestry of tribal and ethnic traditions, with a strong emphasis on family, honour, and hospitality. Islam is the official religion and a dominant force in daily life and social customs. The main languages are Dari (Afghan Persian) and Pashto, with many people being fluent in both. Poetry is a highly valued cultural tradition.
The country has numerous historical and archaeological sites, though many have been damaged or destroyed by decades of conflict. The Buddhas of Bamiyan, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, are one of the most iconic examples of this loss. Efforts are underway by various organizations to preserve Afghanistan’s remaining cultural heritage.
Recently I read this book My Story No Way Back by Valerie Wilding it is about the early life of Mary Wade and I found it very interesting.
She was born on the 17 December 1775 and passed away on the 17 December 1859, she was a British teenager and convict who was transported to Australia when she was 12 years old. She was the youngest convict aboard Lady Juliana, which was part of the Second Fleet. Her family grew to include five generations and over 300 descendants in her own lifetime.
It is believed that Mary had at least three siblings all younger than her they were Elizabeth Ann Wade born 5 February 1778, Henrietta born 17 November 1780 and Henry born 1 August 1786, died April 1793.
She spent her days sweeping the streets of London, as a means of begging. On 5 January 1789, Mary, with another child, Jane Whiting, 14 years old, stole clothes (one cotton frock, one linen tippet which is like a shawl and a linen cap) from Mary Phillips, an 8-year-old, who at the time was collecting water in a bottle at a privy. They then sold the frock to a pawnbroker.
Mary was reported to a Police Constable by another child the officer later found the tippet in Mary’s room, whereupon she was arrested and placed in Bridewell Prison. Her trial was held on 14 January 1789 at the Old Bailey, where she was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. However, in April her sentence was commuted to transportation she would spend 93 days in Newgate Prison while waiting for the transportation to take place.
After arriving in New South Wales she was sent to Norfolk Island while there she had three children Sarah in 1793, Edward (born c1795 died c1796) and William (born 1795).
When they arrived back in Sydney, Mary lived with Teague Harrigan, with whom she had another two children: Edward (born c1800 died 1803) and Edward (born 1803), in their tent on the banks of the Tank Stream in Sydney. Teague left to go on a whaling expedition in 1806 and, by 1817, he was living in Tasmania where he was granted land in 1825 and, presumably, never returned to the mainland.
From 1809, Wade lived with a man named Jonathan Brooker who was given a certificate of freedom in February 1811 and was granted 60 acres (24 ha) of land by Governot Macquarie. Mary received her certificate of freedom on 1 September 1812.
Mary married Jonathan Brooker on 10 February 1817 at St Lukes, in Liverpool in NSW. Even though they lost everything and became destitute they pleaded to Governor Brisbane for aid. They recovered, with them owning 62 acres (25 ha) of land in Illawarra by 1828. They lived there until Brookers’ death on 14 March 1833.
Mary died in Wollongong, NSW on 17 December 1859 (her birthday), at the age of 84. Her funeral service was the very first to be held in St Paul’s Church of England, in Fairy Meadow, NSW it was her son who donated the land on which the church was built.
At the time of her death, Mary had over 300 living descendants and is considered one of the founding mothers of the early European settlement of Australia. Her descendants now number in the tens of thousands, including Kevin Rudd a former Prime Minister.
In 2017, the NSW Government named the Mary Wade Correction Centre, a remand centre for women, in her honour.
Now days China is ruled as a unitary one-party state by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP holds a monopoly on political power and its authority is embedded in all aspects of government and society.
The constitution of the People’s Republic of China explicitly states that the country is under the leadership of the CCP. The party’s institutions overlap with government bodies at every level, from the national government to local villages.
The General Secretary of the CCP, currently Xi Jinping, holds the ultimate power and authority over the state and the military. While he also holds the titles of President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, his power is primarily derived from his position as head of the party.
The State Council is the chief administrative authority of the government. Led by the Premier, it is responsible for implementing the policies and directives set forth by the CCP. While it is the highest organ of state administration, it is subservient to the party’s leadership.
The National People’s Congress (NPC) is constitutionally the “highest organ of state power.” However, in practice, it functions as a rubber-stamp legislature that approves decisions already made by the CCP leadership. The CCP controls a two-thirds majority of the seats, and all elections are tightly controlled by the party.
Unlike many Western democracies, China’s political system does not have a separation of powers. The party’s authority is integrated into all state organs, including the government, military, and judicial system. The judiciary is not independent and serves to enforce the party’s will.
Or to put it simply, the Chinese Communist Party is the central and all-encompassing force that governs China, with all other state institutions operating under its control and direction. Like anyone didn’t already know this.
Today I am looking a bit more at the town of Beijing, the capital of China.
Beijing is a city with a rich and extensive history, with evidence of human habitation dating back hundreds of thousands of years. It has served as the capital of various Chinese dynasties for most of the past eight centuries and has played a central role in the country’s political and cultural development.
The area around modern-day Beijing has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The discovery of “Peking Man” fossils in Zhoukoudian, dating back 230,000 to 250,000 years, provides evidence of early human ancestors.
Beijing’s rise to a major imperial capital began in the 10th to 13th centuries, when nomadic peoples from beyond the Great Wall made the city their capital.
In 1215, the Mongol armies of Genghis Khan captured and destroyed the city. However, Kublai Khan, a successor of Genghis Khan and founder of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), decided to rebuild the city and make it his capital, renaming it Dadu (“Great Capital”). It was during this time that the city first became the political centre of a unified China. The Venetian merchant Marco Polo visited Dadu and was astonished by its grandeur.
In 1644, the Manchu people conquered China and established the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), with Beijing as their capital. The city’s layout and many of its iconic landmarks, such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, remained largely the same, though new palaces and gardens were added outside the city walls, including the Old Summer Palace and the Summer Palace. The Old Summer Palace was famously destroyed by British and French troops during the Second Opium War in 1860.
The Qing dynasty was overthrown in 1912, and the Republic of China was established. Beijing remained the political centre for a time but was renamed Beiping (“Northern Peace”) in 1928 when the capital was moved to Nanjing.
On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China from Tiananmen Gate, and Beijing was once again declared the nation’s capital. The city has undergone significant changes since then, with the development of modern infrastructure and the expansion of the urban area. Notable recent historical events include the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 and the hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
According to official data, the permanent population of Beijing was 21.832 million at the end of 2024. This marked a decrease of 26,000 from the previous year.
The housing market in Beijing is complex, with a mix of ownership and rental options. The government has played a significant role in housing policy, with a shift from subsidized public housing to a more commercialized market since 1978. This has led to a variety of housing tenures, including public rental, private market rental, and several types of home ownership (e.g., purchasing former public housing or market-rate homes). Residence status and income are major factors that determine the type of housing a person can access.
The majority of Beijing’s population lives in multi-story apartment buildings, a trend driven by rapid urbanization and the need to house a massive population in a limited space.
The most common form of housing is apartment buildings, these range from older, multi-story buildings (typically 4-7 stories) to modern high-rise towers with over seven floors and elevators. They are found throughout the city, with prices and quality varying significantly depending on the location. Modern, high-end apartments are common in the central business district and upscale neighbourhoods, while more functional and affordable apartments are found in the suburbs.
There are also siheyuans which are courtyard houses, these are Beijing’s traditional and iconic residential dwellings. A siheyuan consists of buildings arranged around a central courtyard. While they were once the dominant housing style, many have been demolished to make way for modern apartment buildings. Today, the remaining siheyuans are highly sought after and expensive, often found in the historic “hutong” (narrow alley) areas of central Beijing. Some have been converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, or shared by multiple families.
Found predominantly in the city’s suburbs are villas, which are Western-style, single-family homes or townhouses. They are a much rarer and more expensive housing option compared to apartments.
A significant portion of the migrant worker population and some state employees live in dormitories or other forms of collective housing provided by their employers. These are often located near factories or construction sites and are generally considered a more temporary or basic form of accommodation.
Hi everyone, I am going to share a little more information about China, like how old the country is.
The age of China as a continuous civilization is often measured in different ways, leading to various figures.
China is widely considered one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a history spanning over 4,000 years. This is based on archaeological and historical records of early dynasties like the Shang.
The first unified Chinese state was established by the Qin Dynasty in 221BCE. This marked the beginning of imperial China, which lasted for over two millennia. This period of centralized rule is a key factor in the formation of the modern nation-state.
The country has had many dynasties, however the number of dynasties China has had is a bit complicated, as it depends on how you define a “dynasty.” Some periods saw multiple competing dynasties at the same time, while others were short-lived.
However, historians generally recognise 13 major dynastic periods in a long, continuous line of succession that ruled over a unified or semi-unified China: Here are what those 13 dynasties are.
Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BCE): The first dynasty in traditional Chinese history, though its existence is considered quasi-mythical by some scholars.
Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE): The first dynasty with solid archaeological evidence.
Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE): The longest-ruling dynasty, which developed the concept of the “Mandate of Heaven.”
Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE): The first to unify China and establish a centralized, imperial system.
Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE): A golden age for Chinese culture and technology.
Sui Dynasty (581–618): Briefly unified China after a long period of disunity.
Tang Dynasty (618–907): Another “golden age,” known for its flourishing arts and culture.
Song Dynasty (960–1279): A period of great economic and technological advancement.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368): Established by the Mongols under Kublai Khan.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644): Known for its ambitious public works and extensive maritime exploration.
Qing Dynasty (1644–1912): China’s last imperial dynasty, ruled by the Manchu people.
In addition to these, there were many other smaller or regional dynasties and periods of fragmentation, such as the Three Kingdoms, the Sixteen Kingdoms, and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms periods. If you were to count every single one of these, the total number of Chinese dynasties could be as high as over 80.
Today we are looking at some of the national things of China.
The Great Wall
They have a national landmark which is of course The Great Wall, The Great Wall of China is a series of fortified walls stretching across the historical northern borders of China to protect against nomadic tribes of the Eurasian Steppe. It was first built in the 7th century BC, and slowly expanded over time until the Ming Dynasty.
A Giant Panda
The national animal of China is the Giant Panda, a bear native to south-central China. Also considered a national animal is The Chinese Dragon, or Loong, which is one of four auspicious legendary creatures appearing in Chinese mythology and folklore. The dragon has many animal-like body parts, including wolf’s head, stag’s antlers, hare’s eyes, bull’s ears, serpent’s torso, carp’s squama, tiger’s limbs, and eagle’s talons. Theories claim that Loong was a combination of totems of many tribes created to unite them under one banner.
Red-Crowned Crane
There are two national birds the red-crowned crane or Manchurian crane which is a large East Asian crane and among the rarest cranes in the world. It is found in Siberia northeastern China. The other one is the Golden Pheasant which is a game bird native to Western China.
Fuzzy Kiwifruit
The Fuzzy Kiwifruit is the national fruit of China. It has fuzzy, dull brown skin and tangy, bright green flesh, also considered a national fruit is the Jujube it is an oval drupe 1.5-3 centimetres deep; it resembles a date and has a single hard stone like an olive.
The national tree is the Ginkgo it is the only species of these trees left all the others are gone. The national flower is the Chinese peony, Chinese herbaceous peony, or common garden peony it is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae, native to Central and Eastern Asia from eastern Tibet across northern China to eastern Siberia
The national instrument is The Guqin this is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument. It has been played since ancient times, and has traditionally been favoured by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement
The national sport is Table Tennis as declared by Chairman Mao.
I am sure most people will not be surprised to read that the national dish is Peking Duck, but how many know that the national drink is Baijiu which is a Chinese colourless liquor typically coming in between 35% and 60% alcohol by volume.
This is all for this week, I will do more about China next Monday.
Jo-AnneRamplings 