Did you forget your world history, and now feel lost when world topics come up in current events? Designed for busy people who forgot (or never learned it in the first place) and need a quick refresh, Wiser World takes foundational world history and makes it approachable and concise. As a former teacher, Alli Roper wants to remind us of the world's foundational, basic history so we can have the context we need think historically about current events, travel, and global topics. Episodes are published once or twice a month, and consist of 101 episodes (100-ish year deep dives into various countries), Know Before You Go episodes (brief histories for highly-traveled spots), and pretty much any other world-related topic that you wish you'd been taught in history class.
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Did you forget your world history, and now feel lost when world topics come up in current events? Designed for busy people who forgot (or never learned it in the first place) and need a quick refresh, Wiser World takes foundational world history and makes it approachable and concise. As a former teacher, Alli Roper wants to remind us of the world's foundational, basic history so we can have the context we need think historically about current events, travel, and global topics. Episodes are published once or twice a month, and consist of 101 episodes (100-ish year deep dives into various countries), Know Before You Go episodes (brief histories for highly-traveled spots), and pretty much any other world-related topic that you wish you'd been taught in history class.
69. Common Ground: Birth & Death — Rituals for Life's First & Final Moments
Wiser World
43 minutes
1 month ago
69. Common Ground: Birth & Death — Rituals for Life's First & Final Moments
In this episode of the Common Ground series, we're diving into unique rituals from around the world that honor both birth and death, which is something we all share.
We cover:
• Navajo First Laugh Ceremony – United States (American Southwest, Navajo Nation)
• Baek-il (100-day celebration) – South Korea
• Selapan Ceremony (35th day) – Indonesia (Javanese culture)
• Jatakarma (Samskara birth ritual) – India (Hindu communities)
• Newborn Singing Traditions – West Africa (e.g., Yoruba, Akan, Ewe, Fulani, etc.)
• Oríkì (praise poetry for babies) – Nigeria (Yoruba culture)
• Aqiqah (naming and sacrifice ceremony) – Islamic tradition
• Whenua (placenta burial) – New Zealand (Māori culture)
• Miyamairi (shrine visit) – Japan (Shinto tradition)
• Traditional Christian European Funerals — Europe
• Ghanaian Fantasy Coffins & Celebratory Funerals – Ghana (Ga culture, especially near Accra)
• Torajan “Death Feasts” & Body Preservation – Indonesia (Sulawesi, Toraja people)
• Pacific Islander Vigil & Communal Mourning – Various Pacific Islands
• Jewish Shiva & Chevra Kadisha with Tahara – Jewish communities globally
• Japanese Family Body Preparation – Japan
• Hindu Cremation (especially along the Ganges) – India
• Sky Burial & Miniature Yurt Graves – Mongolia & Himalayan Buddhist regions
• Obon Festival & Lantern Floating (Tōrō Nagashi) – Japan
• Famadihana (“Turning of the Bones”) – Madagascar
• Islamic Burial & 3-Day Mourning Visits – Many Muslim-majority countries (especially Arab nations)
• Chehelom (40th Day Mourning Ceremony) – Iran (blend of Islamic and Persian traditions)
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Wiser World
Did you forget your world history, and now feel lost when world topics come up in current events? Designed for busy people who forgot (or never learned it in the first place) and need a quick refresh, Wiser World takes foundational world history and makes it approachable and concise. As a former teacher, Alli Roper wants to remind us of the world's foundational, basic history so we can have the context we need think historically about current events, travel, and global topics. Episodes are published once or twice a month, and consist of 101 episodes (100-ish year deep dives into various countries), Know Before You Go episodes (brief histories for highly-traveled spots), and pretty much any other world-related topic that you wish you'd been taught in history class.
