Immersing your self in the crafts and cultures of far away lands expands the mind and fills the heart. Not just a passing glance as you speed from one “site“ to the next but a  but real close encounter with the daily lives of the locals. Whether you like to brew banana beer or prefer the intricacies of hand woven carpets (one of my favorite souvenirs) or just want a bit of local horse racing, I’ve got a few interesting suggestions this month.

Another Land offers hands-on contact with local cultures in the East African countries of Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Another Land’s dedication to preserving and improving the lands its clients visit is evident in the care it takes in producing its trips. This month’s Pick of the Month, Another Land has also submitted a fascinating story on its newest excursion. Titled, "You Should Marry My Husband," the story offers an in-depth look at the lives of the Barabaig people of Tanzania.

Central Asian cultures and crafts are explored with New Horizons.  This company specifically focuses its group departures on the carpet making regions of Turkey, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Watch master weavers create both loomed masterpieces, as well as hand-tied knotted carpets. Each region has its own unique style that makes its carpets distinctive and creates treasures that last many lifetimes. Learn about the history of Turkish carpets in this month’s "The Silk Road and the Magic Carpets of Turkey."

Asia’s high mountain kingdom of Bhutan, long noted for its rich Buddhist traditions, is also known for its delicate and unique woven textiles. Discover the culture and handicrafts of this isolated land by journeying with ZOLOtrips. On your journey, led by a venerated lama whose enterprises have included introducing the world to the magnificent weavers of his home country, you will visit sights rich in cultural and religious significance, as well as meeting the friendly Bhutanese people. Enjoy the spring or fall festivals as you experience the everyday life in this last remaining Himalayan Buddhist kingdom. 

The yearly festival of Naadarm, this month’s Festival Pick, highlights “The Three Games of Men,” Mongolia’s equivalent of the World Series and Super Bowl. Of the three games – wrestling, archery and horse racing – only wresting is limited to men. The horses are ridden by children to stress the horses’ abilities, not the riders’. Combine this festival with a trek into the further reaches of the Gobi Desert and experience the nomadic culture of the people first hand. Nomadic Expeditions offers these trips as well as other cultural festivals and excursions which are rich in history and provide an in-depth insights into this Wyoming-like land of steppes, mountain forests and vast deserts.

Crafts and culture go hand-in-hand as markers of how a civilization has evolved. It is for their commitment to preserving ancient traditions for future generations that CulturalTravels.net salutes the tour hosts who make a difference, not only in their clients’ lives, but in the lives of the people they visit. From the hand-beaten brass trays of Egypt, to Irish linen and Italian lace, the heart of a people are in their everyday arts.

Happy travels,

Sheri Leigh