Asian Cultural Heritage: Stories, Traditions & Field Notes
Read curated stories, field notes, and records of the traditions, crafts, and people that define our cultural identity. Discover our ongoing documentation across:
The Last Harissa Maker of Srinagar: A 24-Hour Traditional Winter Ritual
Step inside the last shop in Srinagar still making Kashmiri harissa the traditional way. Meet Ashraf Ji, a third-generation maker preserving a 24-hour winter ritual of fire, discipline, and velvety mutton stew.
The Blood Sport Of The Indonesian Archipelago: Inside The Sumbanese Pasola War
Spears, spirits, and sea worms: My journey to Sumba for Pasola 2025. See why this ancient horse battle is the heartbeat of the Marapu religion and how the next generation is keeping the tradition alive in Southwestern Sumba.
How The Miao People Write Stories On Cloth With Wax And Indigo
Explore the history of Miao batik (Laran) in Guizhou. Learn about its 400 BC roots, the 'ice crack' technique, and how to tell real indigo dye from machine prints.
In this project, a disappearing culture is defined as a community whose traditions such as rituals, tool use, celebrations, and recipes, as well as its way of life, social structures, or ancestral lands, are under threat. These losses often stem from globalization, climate change, forced displacement, or the lack of transmission of knowledge to younger generations.
What is Disappearing Cultures?