Rock Art in Malawi is a World Heritage Site

by Jamie Rhein on

One of the latest UNESCO World Heritage sites is in Malawi. Chongoni Rock Art, found clustered in 127 different locations in the granite hills of Malawi’s central plateau, are images painted onto rock. They’ve been here for a long time-a very long time. The folks who painted them may date back to the late Stone Age when folks were hunter-gatherers. The Chewa ethnic group in Malawi whose ancestry goes back to the Iron Age is also responsible for some of the art. The Chewa, an agriculturally-based ethnic group that lives in Malawi today, were still painting on the rocks until the early 20th century. They continue to tie their ceremonies and rituals to the paintings. Because the practice of creating rock art is not common among agriculturally-based people, the existence of this work is interesting in itself. As another interesting note, most of the art is connected to symbolism that depicts women. Yeah! I like that.

One of the reasons Chongoni Rock Art is deemed a World Heritage site is that this is the largest concentration of rock art in Central Africa.

LA Times New Travel Site

by Erik Olsen on

Hey check this out. The Los Angeles Times, probably the third best paper in the country, just launched a new travel site. Looks sharp, with a nice broad focus on travel all over the world. I particularly like the two-tabbed photo feature down the page where you can check out shots by Times photogs, but also where readers can submit their own shots for Web publication.

I can’t remember if they did this before, but they’re also incorporating reader reviews and they’ve got a “My Trips” feature where you can build an itinerary. Articles and recommendations are grouped by “Nearby Destinations” and interests (like “beaches”, “ski and winter” “family and kids”). To be perfectly honest, the front page right now is a bit sparse, so I hope they flesh it out in days to come because the LAT travel section has ALWAYS been one of the best.

Oh, one more interesting and cool thing. A gadling friend…and a personal one…Jen Leo of Writtenroad, has been hired to be the Times new Travel Deal Watch blogger, a rather impressive new title and a sign that she’s hit the big time (although as an editor for Traveler’s tales, I suppose she was there already).

Anyhow, cool new site and cool new opps for friends. Gotta like it.

Two Chinese New Year Performances

by Jamie Rhein on

This weekend is still a big one for Chinese New Year since this is a 15-day holiday that ends with the Lantern Festival. It’s now going into its second week. In case you can’t get to a celebration this year, here are two performances that I’m sending to you. The first is of last year’s Chinese New Year festivities in Singapore. This one was in Chinatown. (Yes, Singapore does have a Chinatown.) Having been to a Chinese New Year festival in Taiwan, Singapore and Columbus, Ohio myself, I can say each have a similar look and sound, so turn up the volume and enjoy a real deal experience. At the end is a brief look at dining out after the show. Made me hungry. Thanks jinaye for the post.

Also, because the Lion Dance is not included in this particular video that presents snippets of various performances, here is a link to a Lion Dance performed by Ling Nam Siu Lum Kung Fu Academy last Chinese New Year and posted on You Tube by siulumkuen. Click on the more section for a detailed explanation about the performers and the Lion Dance.

World Map from 1072: Couldn’t They Draw?

by Willy Volk on

Thanks to the Mapologists at Strange Maps, you can see a map of the world created in 1072. The map, made by Mahmud Kashgari bin Husayn bin Muhammad, was included in the Divanu Lügat-it-Türk, his treatment of Turkish culture. It is the first world map of Turkish origin known in history, and today is preserved at Istanbul’s General National Library.

The map indicates the location of places like Rus, Alexandria, Tashkent, Balasagun, Gog and Magog (a Biblical land walled off from the world by a mountain range), The World-Encircling Sea, and Kashgar (the map-maker’s birthplace). Surprisingly, there’s nary a Wal-Mart to be seen.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of February 18

by Adrienne Wilson on

As another work week comes to a close on this Friday evening, let us all let out a sigh of relief and “TGFG” or Thank God for Gadling or for the non-religious Thank Goodness for Gadling. Whatever – just kick back and check out some of this week’s posts to get the travel idea engine going.

5. Should You Pay For Airport Electricity?:
For frequent travelers always plugged into an airport socket this might be something to think about. Would you be willing to pay to be connected during your layover or would you rather let you battery die and wait until you make it home? Doesn’t sound like it is a trend spreading fast, but you never know?

4. The Year of the Pig is Here:
We love holidays! (Especially ones that give us a reason to run off and explore foreign culture.) Chinese New Year is here and this year is the year of the Pig. You don’t have to go running off to China to get in on the action or even learn a little about this unique calendar system, Jaime does a fine job listing several destinations to find out more about the Pig.

3. Come Back Alive: Pelton’s Website:
I’m not too certain “Come Back Alive” is a travel slogan many folks would feel comfortable with, but for the individual who likes to flirt with risk, chance, danger or possibly be taken hostage and held for ransom – this is a site for you. Go see dangerous places and come back alive with helpful tips from Pelton.

2. How to Travel America:
Curious to find how to make your next journey across America safe and enjoyable? Check out this online guide which focuses less on roadside attractions and more on issues like tipping and what American’s attitudes are like towards foreigners. It’s a guide full of the practical stuff.

1. Top Party Beaches for Spring Break:
Spring breaking doesn’t cross my mind anymore, but for some tender and young college student Spring Break trip planning is all the rage right now. If you’re planning on escaping the books and heading to the beach here is a list of a few greats to visit on your week long stint to erase everything you learned with beer, sand and sun.