Discover Intriguing Eurasian Cultures and Traditions

Eurasian cultures and traditions are remarkably diverse. The term “Eurasia” encompasses the combined landmass of Europe and Asia.

This extensive region is home to numerous ethnic groups, religions, languages, and historical influences.

Here is an overview of significant cultural and traditional elements across different regions of Eurasia:

Eurasian Cultures & Traditions: Central Asia

Countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, parts of Mongolia, and Western China (Xinjiang).

• Nomadic traditions: Many Central Asian cultures are nomadic and characterized by outstanding equestrian practices. Horses are employed for transportation, warfare, and sports like buzkashi, which is akin to polo but uses a goat corpse.
• Yurts: Mobile, round tents traditionally used by nomadic groups.
• Festivals: Nauryz (Nowruz), the Persian New Year, is widely celebrated as a sign of revival and spring arrival.
• Music & Arts: Traditional instruments like the dombra (a Kazakh stringed instrument) and the komuz (a Kyrgyz stringed instrument) are essential in Central Asian music.
• Silk & Embroidery: Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are known for richly embroidered silk robes, which signify wealth and status.
• Cuisine: Cuisines are deeply influenced by nomadic lifestyles. Thus, popular dishes include plov (rice with meat), shashlik (grilled meat skewers), and lagman (noodles).
• Religion: Islam is very predominant. However, other religions practised in the region include Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.

Eurasian Cultures & Traditions: Western Europe

Countries: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, & Spain.

• Diverse Traditions: Western Europe is home to many recorded movements (Renaissance, Enlightenment) and has deep roots in Christianity. Although secularism is also widespread throughout Europe.
• Festivals: The region is famous for Christmas markets in Germany, La Tomatina (a tomato-throwing festival in Spain), and Carnival in Venice.
• Cuisine: Western Europe is renowned for its culinary diversity. These include British afternoon tea, French pastries, Spanish tapas, and Italian pasta.
• Music and Arts: Classical music, opera, and ballet have deep roots, with figures like Beethoven contributing to European culture. In addition, Flamenco from Spain emphasizes emotion through guitar, dance, and clapping.

Eurasian Cultures & Traditions: Eastern Europe

Countries: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Caucasus regions (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan).

• Slavic Traditions: They have rich mythology, with stories of spirits and magical creatures such as domovoi or rusalka. They also include celebrations like Maslenitsa, similar to Mardi Gras.
• Orthodox Christianity: Orthodox Christianity is heavily practised in this part of Eurasia. It is known for its liturgical traditions, elaborate iconography, and church architecture.
• Festivals: Easter, Christmas and Kupala Night. Kupala Night is a Slavic midsummer festival that includes bonfires and flower wreaths.
• Cuisine: Food items like (beet soup), blini (pancakes), and dumplings such as pelmeni or varenyky are very popular in the region.

Eurasian Cultures & Traditions: South Asia

Countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka.

• Religion: South Asia is the birthplace of major religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is also home to a significant Muslim population, especially in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• Festivals: Diwali (Festival of Lights), Eid, Holi (Festival of Colors), and Vesak (Buddha’s birthday)
• Cuisine: Known for its diverse flavours and spices. These include biryanis and sweets like gulab jamun.
• Music and Dance: Classical forms like Bharatanatyam (Indian dance), Qawwali (Sufi music), and Bollywood films and music are culturally significant.

Eurasian Cultures & Traditions: East Asia

Countries: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Mongolia.

• Philosophies: Influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, and Buddhism, East Asian cultures stress social harmony and respect for elders.
• Festivals: Chinese New Year, Chuseok (Korean Harvest Festival), and Obon (Japanese Festival honouring ancestors).
• Cuisine: Rice, noodles, seafood, Dim sum, sushi, and kimchi are iconic food items.
• Martial Arts: Birthplace of martial arts like Kung Fu, Karate, and Taekwondo.
• Art and Literature: This region’s calligraphy, painting, and tea ceremonies are traditional. Historical literature like The Tale of Genji in Japan or Chinese classics like Journey to the West have global recognition.

Eurasian Cultures & Traditions: The Middle East (Western Asia)

Countries: Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon, etc.

• Religion: Islam is very dominant, with significant Shia and Sunni populations. Judaism and Christianity are also practised in the region.
• Festivals: Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha are major Islamic holidays. The Persian New Year (Nowruz) is widely celebrated in Iran and Central Asia.
• Cuisine: Kebabs, falafel, hummus, and flatbreads such as pita or lavash.
• Architecture: the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
• Music and Poetry: Traditional instruments like the oud & daf are integral. At the same time, Persian poetry from figures like Rumi and Hafez continues to influence the region’s culture.

Siberia (Northern Asia)

Countries: Part of Russia, stretching into Mongolia.

• Indigenous Peoples: Includes the Yakuts, Evenks, and Buryats, who have preserved their traditions and practices
• Religion: Shamanism is still practiced in some areas, and rituals involve worshipping natural elements like the sun, moon, and earth.
• Lifestyle: Reindeer herding and other subsistence farming and hunting forms are still typical.

Southeast Asia

Countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, etc.

• Religions: Mostly Buddhist (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia), with significant Muslim populations in Indonesia and Malaysia and Catholicism in the Philippines.
• Festivals: Songkran (Thai New Year), Tet (Vietnamese New Year), and Hari Raya (Eid celebrations in Malaysia and Indonesia).
• Cuisine: Lemongrass, galangal, and coconut milk. Street foods like pho, pad Thai, and nasi goreng are famous.
• Traditional Dance and Music: Each country has distinctive conventional performances, such as Thai classical dance, Balinese gamelan music, and Filipino tinkling dance.