Tradition Archives

King Misuzulu Zulu, ruler of the Zulu nation, was contested by his older brother, Prince Simakade

World

Zulu nation faces uncertainty after ‘unlawful’ king ruling

South Africa’s president and Zulu monarch have been stunned by a court ruling that the state’s recognition of King Misuzulu Zulu was “unlawful” in...

AFPDecember 13, 2023

A high priest holds a cross while standing in front of a bonfire during the Meskel celebrations in Addis Ababa

World

In a divided Ethiopia, the Orthodox mark Meskel celebration

Orthodox Ethiopians on Wednesday marked the beginning of Meskel, one of the holiest celebrations in the Christian tradition followed in this devout nation riven...

AFPSeptember 27, 2023

The biting economic crisis is not enough to deter Buenos Aires's tango enthusiasts

Business

In inflation-hit Buenos Aires, tango enthusiasts sway the blues away

Argentina’s biting economic crisis cannot keep tango enthusiasts from seeking out the haunting tunes of piano and concertina music at a dwindling number of...

AFPSeptember 5, 2023

A sumo wrestler crosses the street as others buy drinks following a training session, near the Arashio-beya sumo stable in Tokyo

Sports

Renewed interest in sumo proves big pull for tourists

Japan's national sport -- hundreds of years old and steeped in tradition -- has long been a source of fascination outside the country.

AFPAugust 12, 2023

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand jointly nominated the kebaya for UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

World

Southeast Asia seeks global recognition for ‘special’ kebaya craft

In a Malaysian boutique, a small group of seamstresses sit at clattering sewing machines, stitching bright flowers and leaves into kebayas, traditional blouses worn...

AFPMay 15, 2023

'It's not the happiest time of year' for sheep farmer Guillaume Garcin as lambs are brought for slaughter

World

Silence of the lambs as French livestock slaughtered for Easter

The bleats and human voices have fallen away in an abattoir in southern France, leaving a line of lambs crowding forward to the sound...

AFPApril 5, 2023

Cesar Paredes, 9, is learning the tricks of the bullfighting trade at a special school in Venezuela

World

‘Look brave’: Children taught bullfighting at Venezuelan torero school

Nine-year-old Cesar Paredes enters the bullring impeccably dressed in his traditional Venezuelan bullfighter’s suit, pink cape neatly folded over one arm, to the ovation...

AFPApril 5, 2023

Spain has a centuries-old tradition of biblical theatre depicting the Passion of Christ

World

Spain’s begins centuries-old Easter processions

Spain’s colourful Holy Week celebrations begin on Sunday, featuring centuries-old processions of the faithful carrying flower-covered floats topped with statues of Christ or the...

AFPApril 2, 2023