It is the largest gathering on earth. Most Westerners understand the Maha Kumbh Mela, if they understand it at all, to be about spectacle and tradition— the naked priests and sacred baths, the ash and fire and splashing. Most of the 80 million pilgrims—yes, 80 million—experience the Kumbh Mela as [...]
Set off some fireworks, don a costume, prepare the feast. From revisiting the past to welcoming new beginnings, celebrations are ingrained in every culture. Some remain fixed in traditions centuries-old, while others shift as they spread to new audiences and environments. But the biggest jamborees aren’t spontaneous; it takes serious [...]
In back alleys, street markets, and hidden workshops around the world, microentrepreneurs churn out new ideas and products to help them get by or improve the world around them. We could philosophize on this all day. But here in Observed, we ask our correspondents to say nothing. So for the [...]
This is an installment of our Getting By column, profiles of street vendors and other informal economy occupations around the world. Daily Income: 25 to 125 soles (approximately USD 10 – 45) Hours Worked: 10 (13-23h) Name: Mohammed City: Lima Neighbourhood: San Miguel Occupation Title: Gastronomic entrepreneur Mohammed’s stainless steel food cart can be found on [...]
In India, arranged marriages are still the norm — nearly 90 percent. As a result, the market for arranged marriages is a lucrative one; professional matchmakers, newspaper classified ads, and online matchmaking sites all play a role in the USD 20 billion marriage industry.
From the Makery is a weekly roundup of inspiring stories of making collected from around the web. Follow our Facebook page or our Twitter feed for daily updates. Wickerbombing Beyond yarnbombing, Ojo Obaniyi of Nigeria has completely encased his VW pickup in wicker – the interior, the body, and the [...]
Like most vagoneros, Abel played samples of his wares through a portable speaker. Unsatisfied with the audio quality and appearance, he decided there was a better setup waiting to be invented. Through experimentation and testing, he designed audio backpacks powered by rechargeable batteries, powerful enough for a long day’s work keeping Mexico’s subways rocking.
From the Makery is a weekly roundup of inspiring stories of making collected from around the web. Follow our Facebook page or our Twitter feed for daily updates. Hiding in Public Artist Liu Bolin hides in public. These photographs show him installed and invisible in a variety of city landscapes, [...]
This is an installment of our Getting By column, profiles of street vendors and other informal economy occupations around the world. Daily Income: Estimated between 4000 and 6000 Myanmar Kyat (USD 4.60-USD 7) Hours Worked: 12. Starting on the 8 AM southbound Mandalay-Yangon line, then returning on the next northbound [...]
For this week’s installment of From the Makery, we have a photo essay of the rural El Salvadorans who put on a family circus, the beauty and power of repairing your possessions, and a do-it-yourself record made of frozen water.