Posts Tagged ‘Europe’

The Citizens of Latvia Inhabit a Area Abundant in Culture

Posted by shoping on December 20th, 2009

Latvia is a place which has been settled presently for more than 11 millennia since the icecaps diminished in this area of Europe. Only 5 millennia ago, humans entered from the Baltic territories and were the first to have inhabited Latvia as it’s known currently. Although, it would be wrong to say that these are the exclusive people who reside within this noble nation|land. Actually, there are a great number of different cultures which have merged together also involving people from Germany, Russia and the surrounding countries of Sweden, Belarus and Lithuania. This mixture of unique cultures has made a broad range of ideas and ways of living which have united together to form a very intriguing culture not like any other here on our earth.

First one needs to acknowledge the thing about this region is that it has had its share of hard times, from enemies to Soviet occupations. With every one of these administrative developments, Latvia added a different way to look at the universe. The people took full advantage of each opportunity to learn about the world they live in and different traditions, also. Throughout its history a big collection of music has come a part of the folk history of Latvia and today over thirty-thousand one of a kind tunes have a role in the hearty musical tradition in Latvia.

Long ago, the nation chose to accept the scholastics and arts as its main accomplishment and because of this, there happen to be a lot of very artistic individuals within this small nation. By chasing peaceful passions they have avoided violence and brought much to the planet by means of expression. They too made sure that learning was given to everyone for free until they were an adult. Because of this, Latvia is a place where the ability to read thrives and almost everyone understands how to read and write very well. It is an area in which learning is encouraged and understanding life and our planet is a large part of what this country offers .

Not many other nations in the world can brag about such a splendid reputation as a land of learners and imaginative thinkers who try to make the world better. In this, the nation of Latvia stands proud as a country in which everyone is inspired to participate in the national identity, but at the same time, be themselves and go after the things in life that inspire them. It is no wonder that visitors go home with such a vast amount of wonderful stories not only about the attractiveness of the country, but the hospitality and intelligence of its inspiring citizens. This is going to be a place you are sure to see.

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The History of the Costume

Posted by shoping on October 6th, 2009

Historians studying the evolution of the modern costume mutually date its origins to the 1490’s. It is important to note, however, that before this time clothing existed mainly for the purpose of protection from injuries and natural elements. As society continued to advance costume became an expression of wealth, reputation or profession. It was then that more emphasis on both art and the artistic ability to make clothes that to distinguish people into classes.

It’s not that decoration didn’t exist before then. It was just not as widespread. Evidence from the Stone Age period revealed that cavemen wore leather skirts decorated with patterns made of pigments or perforations. So in studying the history of the costume it makes sense to start back then and follow through to the Rococo era.

Ancient Egyptian costumes were colorfully adorned with precious gems and jewels. Because of the heat of the desert, costumes were designed with comfort in mind. Regardless of gender, clothing was made of linen which was bleached in the sun to attain a brilliant white color that became very popular among the wealthy. Very few clothing items were made from wool, and only during the Christian era was cotton cloth introduced.

Ancient Greek costumes and clothing, though more voluminous, were simple and practical like the Egyptians’. In the winter they wore clothes made of wool, whilst in the summer they donned linen. The primary garment of clothing was the Chiton, an all-over body garment made from a large rectangle of cloth wrapped once around the body. The men wore these with tunics, a knee length t-shirt made of wool or linen. Footwear came in the form of leather sandals. The “Dark Age” of Greece era that followed the fall of the Mycenaean civilization brought with it bell-shaped skirts and tightly fitted bodices.

Ancient Roman costumes were made of wool. Sewing needles then were coarse and unwieldy, resulting in very basic garments. Men basically had two items of clothing, the tunica and the toga. Unlike the Greek’s long sleeved tunic, the tunica was short sleeved. The toga was typically worn in public. Both these items were worn differently by various people in society to distinguish levels of authority.

Medieval costuming began with the fall of the Roman Empire in AD 476 and ran through to the late medieval times of the 13th century. At the beginning the tunic was still a major form of dress, but was soon replaced by breeches and mid thigh high hose. Cloths were adorned with fine jewels, embroidery and fur trimmings.

In this era costume and dress took on a special meaning as defined by the aristocracy. In the 14th century it was characterized by short upper garments among men and tight-fitting dresses among the women. From then on there was a greater trend towards high fashion and more extravagant dress, perhaps resulting from increased exports from the East in the wake of The Crusades, increased production and improved quality of textiles in the West, and the increasing wealth of the rising urban tradesman class.

The Renaissance era coincided with a sudden increase in inherited personal wealth of the survivors of the Black Plague (1350-1400) and the emergence of significant Italian influence. Costume was led by nobility, who dressed in elaborate and brightly colored robes and gowns embellished with furs and elaborate belts. Wigs were popular and crafted from peasant’s hair. Ladies began to wear more revealing clothes with low necklines, no longer covered their hair with hoods but styled it instead, and used make-up. Where color was restricted before, by mid 1500 garments were sewn with richly colored fabric. Men did not just wear long garments over hose, but actual trousers with stockings. It is during this time that the beret also came into existence.

In 1600 Baroque costumes, the influences began in Italy and spread to most of Europe. After Harvey’s discovery of the circulation of the blood in 1628, it was feared that tight garments might restrict blood-flow causing various ailments. Thus began an era that saw more loose-fitting and casual garments introduced for both sexes. Later large feathered hats and embroidered plumes became popular, as did highly-impractical large, soft-leather boots. Fashion was evocative of the Elizabethan style. Elbow sleeves, overskirts with trains at the back of floor length hoop skirts (also called panniers), ribbon ties, and lace cuffs for women were popular. Men were not left out in the lace department either. It was on their jackets and breeches alike. In addition they wore long coats with braided front panels buttoned from neck to hemline. Breeches were high, at or just above the knee, and fine hose was worn underneath. This attire lasted until 1715.

With the turn of the 18th century Rococo costumes emerged in France. They were opulent, graceful, playful and light, characteristic of the French culture at the time. Fabric colors were brighter (not too brilliant) as compared to those of the darker Baroque style. Solid colors were as popular as were floral motifs and stripes. The panniers with rich trimmings were the norm, and it was common for ladies to use makeup and perfume. The often had their hair powdered, coiffed and decorated with a small bonnet, flowers, jewelry, or bows. Men’s costume hardly transformed during this time. They still wore breeches and waistcoats, which with time became briefer until they finally only reached the hips and were buttoned only in the stomach region.

Thus modern costume is not modern at all, but has developed over several centuries. From leather hides and skins to tunics of the medieval Byzantine era, to the exaggerated motion of the Baroque style up to the more subtle and soft French Rococo. It just goes to show that time itself is a manufacturer of new fashion styles borrowing from each other, some lasting longer than others. It is from these times that modern costumes of the 19th and 20th century have emerged.

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Making The Cut

Posted by shoping on October 2nd, 2009

It is believed that scissors were invented in ancient Egypt about 1500. Early scissors appeared in the Middle East some 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. The scissors worked with a spring that comprised two bronze blades connected at the handles by a thin, curved strip of bronze. This strip served to bring the blades together when squeezed and to pull them apart when released. Cross-bladed scissors were invented by the Romans around AD 100. Pivoted scissors of bronze or iron, in which the blades were connected at a point between the tips and the handles, were used in ancient Rome, China, Japan, and Korea, but spring scissors continued to be used in Europe until the sixteenth century and the idea is still used in almost all modern scissors.

Today there are many different kinds of scissors, used to create a variety of styles and cuts. From thinning and styling shears, to tempered and left-handed shears; each pair of scissors is designed to perform a specific task. Some are used to create subtle effects while others are used for more basic haircuts. While some stylists use razors or clippers to achieve more extreme results, barber shears are the industry standard. Stylists are also concerned with the production quality and the materials used as well as the tension system the shears utilize.

The quality of the cut depends on the quality of the scissors, the skill of the stylist and the techniques being employed. A particularly creative cut may require several different types of scissors, but even the most basic hair cut demands something that provides an accurate, clean cut. Inferior quality scissors or scissors with dull blades can greatly impact the haircut and may even cause damage to the hair.

There are several types of scissors available on the market today. Beveled blades feature one serrated edge and one straight edge and are ideal for layer cuts, tapered cuts and the “scissor over the comb” method. Convex blades are razor sharp and give a clean, flawless cut making them ideal for slide cutting. These are suitable for stylists who cut with their thumb and middle finger.

Scissors types include opposing grips that feature handles of the same length; symmetrical to the center screw. Offset grips feature a short thumb handle and a longer finger handle, which allow for more natural, fluid movement and are suitable for individuals who cut with the thumb and ring finger. Crane grips feature a long finger handle and an angled thumb. This ensures less strain on the wrist and shoulder and allows a freer, open cut. Other varieties include varying types of thumb grips. Some will feature a removable and reversible finger resting piece that can be attached to either the left or right grip allowing for greater versatility for the wearer.

Cutaway thumb scissors do not feature the reversible finger resting piece, but they are able to provide exceptional comfort for the wearer. Anatomic thumb scissors allow for greater radial movement due to their curved design and they provide more freedom of movement for the stylist. Swivel thumb scissors are a newer advancement in the industry. They reduce hand and wrist strain and feature an open hand grip design, which reduces thumb “travel” and creates a more comfortable experience for the stylist.

The other primary consideration that a stylist must make is with the length of the blades of the scissors. The correct blade length is dependant on the comfort and preferred styling methods of the hairstylist. Short blades are useful for detailed touchups, such as cutting around the ears or very close to the skin. This type of blade is recommended for all stylists particularly for more intricate cutting. The blade should be no longer than 5.5 inches. Long blades are ideal for cutting thick hair, slide cutting, scissor over comb methods, and bobs.

Although comfort is of primary importance, a professional stylist will have spent much time researching the different scissors available and utilize the one most appropriate to their cutting styles and the techniques that they practice.

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The Almighty, Much Overlooked Magnet

Posted by shoping on September 28th, 2009

What do microwave ovens, high-speed trains, and your credit card have in common? Why magnets, of course.

Like many of life’s important discoveries, there is much contested debate about how the magnet was actually discovered. According to one fable, about 4000 years ago a Greek Cretan named Magnes was herding his sheep when the nails on his shoe became stuck to a large black rock. Magnes dug at the earth and found lodestone, which contains a natural magnetic material. Years later the magnetic rock was later named ‘Magnet’ after its discoverer.

The Chinese tell a different story: fortunetellers used the same lodestone to build their boards, leading to the first magnetic compass around 210 B.C. In the 8th century A.D. the Chinese replaced lodestone with magnetized needles and between 850 and 1050 A.D. developed the sea compass.

Continuing the history lesson, the first comprehensive effort to explain magnetic properties was compiled by Peter Peregrinus in 1269 A.D. In 1600 William Gilbert, a member of the Royal College of Physicians in London, published a work titled De Magnete (“On the Magnet”) where he argued Earth was merely a giant magnet. Additionally, Gilbert revealed that heat occurred when the loss of magnetism was induced. Filled with information from experimentation, De Magnete became the standard reference material for electrical and magnetic phenomena throughout Europe.

In 1820 Hans Christian Oersted, a Dane, connected the magnet to electricity. In 1862 Scottish mathematician James Clerk Maxwell, considered one of the world’s greatest physicists, developed a series of equations explaining the basis of electromagnetic theory. Thirty-five years later, a professor of Experimental Physics at Cambridge by the name of Joseph John Thomson discovered the electron.

Fast forward to the present where magnets are used in everything from microwave ovens and credit cards to more esoteric examples such as power generators and flexible magnetic curtains. Of course, let’s not forget the almighty refrigerator magnet holding our papers, pictures, and memos to the fridge without complaint.

Whether magnets are used in high-speed trains, health care applications, cell phones or the motor in your Prius, magnetic lines of force have four consistent qualities:

- They originate from the North Pole and end at the South Pole
- They come close to each other near the poles of a magnet and are widely separated at other places
- They cannot intersect each other
- When a compass is placed at different points on a magnetic line of force it aligns itself along the tangent to the line of force at that point

Indeed, as we reflect upon our every day existence why not ponder just exactly where our civilization would be had the nail in Magnes’ boots not locked on that magical stone 4000 years ago. Or maybe it was the fortune telling of the Chinese…

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Fur Trapping In Montana

Posted by shoping on September 15th, 2009

By: Marlene Affeld

Since the beginning of time, fur bearing animals have been an important part of human culture and man’s survival. Fur bearing animals have long been utilized as a sustainable source of clothing, shelter, food, medicine and goods for trade.

Animal trapping was one of the very first means of hunting in what is now Montana. Native Americans hunted or trapped fur bearing animals for meat and the warm, insulating qualities of their pelage as protection from the bitter cold winters. Certain fur bearing animals like the wolf, wolverine, cougar and grizzly bear were considered spiritually powerful and the pelts of these animals played a significant role as ceremonial robes and adornment. Many tribes believed that the animal’s pelt provided a warrior with a mantle of courage and strength.

This beautiful, wild land was blessed with an amazing abundance of game, fish and fowl. Native Americans understood and respected nature and were sustained by the vast herds of buffalo, elk, moose and deer. This bountiful balance went undisturbed until the disastrous arrival of the white man.

The voracious, greedy demand for fur in Europe brought about the establishment of the fur trade industry in North America. Montana was founded by people both native and non-native that supplemented their very existence trapping fur bearing animals. High market prices and the ever increasing demand for beaver and buffalo hides accelerated the exploration and development of the West, and marked this land forever.

The history of trapping and the fur trade in Montana is rich with stories, both fascinating and heartbreaking, of the rugged Montana Mountain men of the 1800s. These hardy souls lived and trapped in a hard and unsettled land, facing extreme danger at every turn from horse and gun accidents, inclement weather and attacks by hostile Indian bands and rival fur trappers competing for prime territory.

The trapper’s main work was preformed in the dead of winter when the animal’s pelts were luxurious, resplendent, thick and therefore worth the most money; the colder the winter, the better the quality of the harvest. Life was hard; a continuous test of the men’s courage, fortitude and physical strength.

Fur trapping and the trade in pelts varied, depending on the whims of the market and the protocol of the fur company. Many fur companies employed Indian trappers or “free” trappers. The free trappers were solitary mountain men who would deploy traps and prepare the skins prior to trading them at outposts scattered throughout the territory. Many of these outposts were the scene of huge rendezvous; an annual celebration time when these mountain men would gather to share food, strong drink, music and information.

Incredible fortunes were made in the fur industry, however death was a constant companion of the men that actually trapped and harvested the pelts. These men managed to make a sustainable income from their trapping; however, it was the fur barons of Europe that amassed giant fortunes.

During their 1804-1806 Expedition, Lewis and Clark observed that the fur industry in the northwest was on the verge of exploding; exploration and development of the frontier was inevitable. The fur trade attracted an influx of international fortune and adventure seeking men to the wilderness west of the continental divide. The fur trade was a highly competitive enterprise with intense international rivalry; the Lewis and Clark Expedition affirmed the need for American enterprise in the western fur trade. The Expedition crafted maps that were later used by the fur trappers, prospectors and settlers that followed them to this magnificent wilderness.

By the early 1840s the immense popularity of the beaver hat had subsided and in its place grew an insatiable demand for buffalo hides used for robes and great coats. Once again, fashion trends drove the development of the American West.

As the trappers and traders plied their craft, they traveled throughout the land, mapping out trails and trade routes that had been used for centuries by Native Americans. River routes, needed to transport the hides to market, were navigated and mapped. The fur trade era ( approximately 1550 to 1840) preceded and opened the way for later adventurers that traveled these routes seeking their fortunes in gold.

The fashion driven era of the fur and hide trade was extremely damaging to the natural environment and to the Native American cultures that came in contact with the trappers and hunters. The massive demand for fur and hides to satisfy the desires of fashion conscious Europeans almost brought about the extinction of the buffalo and beaver that inhabited the American West.

Sickness and death from diseases were brought unknowingly to the isolated tribes. The trappers introduced alcohol to the tribes as a form of barter for pelts. The intoxicating effects of alcohol was devastating to Montana’s first people. The exploitation of Montana’s rich natural resources played a decisive role in the history of the state. It is a sad and pitiful heritage.

Although the fur trapping boom was over, many ranchers continued to trap predators and a few other species on their own land or on surrounding public forests. Montana was in great part founded by both native and non-native people that supported themselves on fur and game. Up to and through the 1930’s many Montanans supplemented their meager incomes by trapping, while still many others pursued fur trapping seriously as a lifestyle or livelihood. Fur trapping is integrally woven into Montana’s heritage and continues as a way of live for many today; people still make money on fur, money that for many in Montana is hard to come by in the winter.

Today Montanans value animals for their fur and meat, yet also consider them an important natural resource for wildlife viewing and general outdoor enjoyment.

Today, the Montana Trappers Association plays a central role in setting standards and perpetuating Montana’s trapping heritage. Today’s trappers are proud of their wilderness ethic, trapping skills and knowledge of wildlife and habitats, and newcomers are attracted to learning traditional skills once practiced in the days of Lewis and Clark.

Marlene Affeld has a passion for the environment and all things natural. A seasoned traveler, Marlene enjoys sharing her experiences with others. Visit Marlene's site at http://nandugreen.com for Eco-Friendly living options.

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