Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
67 results for "folklore"
A new comic series set in 15th-century Kerala is turning regional folklore into a fantasy adventure that's sold over 2,000 copies and caught the attention of manga legends. The success proves there's a hungry audience for stories rooted in local culture.
A Saudi Arabian game studio just secured $1.5 million to bring Ancient Arabian mythology to PlayStation, Xbox, and PC worldwide. Ash Games is turning regional folklore into global entertainment while building the Kingdom's gaming industry.
Ancient maritime taboos like "no whistling" and "no bananas" sound silly today, but historians are discovering these strange rules actually helped sailors survive dangerous voyages through clever psychology and practical safety measures.
A camera trap in Thailand's Khao Luang National Park filmed one of the world's most elusive wildcats for just 10 seconds. The Asian golden cat, known in Thai folklore as the "fire tiger," is so rare that scientists estimate only 7,000 exist worldwide.
Egypt's First Lady joined 1,000 couples at a government-sponsored mass wedding celebration designed to help young people near the poverty line afford to start their lives together. The "Facilitating Marriage" program provides financial support through an online platform where couples can register for assistance.
A uniquely shaped raccoon with short spine syndrome has captured hearts across Seattle and the internet. Jimothy the raccoon has racked up millions of views and earned his place among the Pacific Northwest's beloved local legends.
For generations, Sikkim villagers spoke of Ajotak, a mystical tiger roaming high-altitude forests like a guardian spirit. Camera traps have now confirmed the legend is real, launching a conservation success story that's protecting both tigers and communities.
After vanishing in the 1970s, red-beaked choughs have returned to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, where legend says King Arthur's spirit lives on in their form. The comeback marks a rare moment where ancient myth and nature conservation meet.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F0b%2Fb4%2F0bb47b9a-284a-414a-9bb9-d5425444394e%2Fblackbird_fit_2.jpg)
Missy Dunaway is painting every bird Shakespeare mentioned in his work, creating 65 detailed pieces that blend art, literature, and history. Each painting comes with an essay exploring what these creatures meant to people in the 1600s.
A spring festival in Moldova's ancient beech forests is turning conservation into cash for struggling rural communities. Over 3,500 visitors last year brought vital income while protecting biodiversity.
English cricket legend Ben Stokes announced his retirement from Test cricket, capping a career highlighted by what former captain Sir Alastair Cook called "the greatest innings ever played by an Englishman." The 2019 Headingley moment remains one of cricket's most inspiring comebacks.
Rangers striker Chermiti scored an acrobatic overhead kick in the intense Old Firm derby against Celtic, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The moment of brilliance showcased the beautiful side of football's fiercest rivalry.
In a remote Manipur village, just 10 families are preserving an ancient art that once rivaled gold. They're making traditional salt cakes from sacred springs, one handcrafted disc at a time.
Archaeologists in Italy just uncovered ancient stone dwellings so magical-looking that locals have called them "fairy houses" for generations. The 5,000-year-old structures are now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Switzerland's ancient yodelling tradition just earned a spot on UNESCO's prestigious cultural heritage list. The Alpine vocal art is now blending with modern music genres, proving old traditions can thrive in new ways.
A local villager's pond-side discovery in Thailand has revealed a new species of gentle giant that may be Southeast Asia's largest dinosaur ever found. The 30-ton sauropod helps scientists understand how supersized dinosaurs evolved across the ancient world.
After three years of watching Mount Fuji through a network of cameras, researchers have finally explained how the mountain's famous mystical clouds form. The study reveals that these stunning natural displays follow specific patterns scientists can now predict.
LGBTQ+ fiction sales surged 200% since 2019, with readers embracing stories by trans and nonbinary authors. This reading revolution is becoming a powerful form of support during challenging times.
Over a million people filled Madrid's streets Sunday to witness Pope Leo preside over an open-air Mass, marking the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years. The celebration featured Spain's beloved tradition of flower-petal carpet processions for the Corpus Domini feast day.
Scientists have discovered a colossal new dinosaur species in Thailand that weighed as much as nine elephants and stretched nearly 90 feet long. The gentle giant roamed the region over 100 million years ago and represents the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia.
Showing 20 of 67