Puffins
A few interesting facts gleaned whilst researching the topic, for anyone who’d like to find out more. The scientific name, Fratercula, means ‘little brother’ — a reference to the black…
Ici, on s’éloigne un instant du récit pour éclairer ce qui l’entoure — une fête, un rituel, une communauté, une légende, une curiosité… Pas pour tout expliquer, juste pour donner à qui le souhaite de quoi creuser un peu plus loin.
Lathmar Holi, the Festival of Sticks
Krishna grew up in Nandgaon. Radha, the one he loved, lived in Barsana. Legend has it that one day, he came to tease her with his friends, splashing her with…
Holi, the Festival of Colors
Holi marks the end of winter and the return of spring. It is one of the oldest festivals in the Hindu calendar—some texts trace it back several centuries before the…
Kambala: Story of a Race
The word itself carries mud at its heart. Kambala would come from kampa-kala, where kampa designates a waterlogged, marshy field—an ancient Dravidian etymology, though local linguists don't entirely agree on…
Hijras, the third-gender community
Hijras, the third-gender community It was William Dalrymple, yet again, who put me on the trail – not in *Nine Lives* this time, but in *City of Djinns*, his book…