Through meeting together, sharing and educating ourselves
about many diverse cultures, we are living evidence of the ability to
peacefully co-exist. We aim to bring down the barriers created through
cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and discrimination.
This can be achieved by finding common ground in our hopes
to see faith in humanity restored.
Our hope is World Peace.
Through meeting together, sharing and educating ourselves
about many diverse cultures, we are living evidence of the ability to
peacefully co-exist. We aim to bring down the barriers created through
cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and discrimination.
This can be achieved by finding common ground in our hopes
to see faith in humanity restored.
Our hope is World Peace.
Through meeting together, sharing and educating ourselves
about many diverse cultures, we are living evidence of the ability to
peacefully co-exist. We aim to bring down the barriers created through
cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and discrimination.
This can be achieved by finding common ground in our hopes
to see faith in humanity restored.
Our hope is World Peace.
Writer: Beibei
Nationality: Chinese
In general, it’s not really strange to see lovers walking arm in arm, or holding hands as they stroll around the city.
Well, apparently this is not such a norm in other parts of the world, which came as a bit of a shock to me.
I was travelling in Japan last year sometime and I noticed that none of the Japanese citizens would have physical contact while walking around. They wouldn’t hold each other around the waist, link arms, or even hold hands like it’s popular to do with friends or romances in many other cultures. Not even couples would do these things… I couldn’t help but wonder why?
My initial assumption was that they were so formal with everyone. They seemed reserved and almost cold towards each other, and to me, a foreigner in their country for the first time, it felt as if they were missing something important… where was their love and warmth?
I was wrong to jump to this kind of uninformed opinion.
Later I was chatting to my sister, and she told me that in Japan they are extremely cautious and considerate of one another. There is such an incredibly dense population that it’s easy for accidents to occur on the streets and in public places. For this reason everyone tries to walk in rows, instead of next to each other. They go out of their way in order to avoid harming anyone accidentally, and this is the reason for them seeming a little less affectionate towards each other while on the move.
It isn’t that they are missing anything that other cultures have regarding love and concern, in fact, if anything, they have ten times the amount of consideration and care for one another.
Be careful of your own cynicism… it can damage your impression of an entire nation, if you aren’t careful to understand correctly.
Writer: Haewuan
Nationality: Korean
In the summer of 2007, I had the chance to study in Sichuan, China. It is a place where not many Korean people would choose to go, but since I love travelling it sparked my interest and I felt excited for the adventure. I really wanted to experience as many unique and special cultural things as possible during my stay there, so I went with quite an open mind and expectant heart.
With my determined attitude I managed to plan a trip through an agency in China shortly after my arrival. It was a package deal for an area very close to Tibet, and although the travelling seemed kind of rough, with eight hour bus trips and lots of mountainous terrains, we had a chance to experience exactly what I was looking for, the heart of the culture, and beauty of natural China.
We got to see many temples in the mountains, and because we were the only group of foreigners there – as I said before, not many people choose to travel where I went – the local travel guides taking the tours were incredibly intrigued by us and they asked us to sing Korean songs and show them some of our culture too (usually this happened on the bus, while it was shaking around and throwing everyone off balance mid-song!) It was these small things that made it quite a special trip, where I got to experience many cultures at the same time through the different travelers and local ethnic residents.
The whole trip was four days long, and while I have plenty of brilliant memories there is one place in particular that will remain unforgettable to me, for all the days of my life – the village of the Musuo tribe.
Apparently the purpose of visiting this tribes village was to purchase some special indigenous teas from the locals, and I must admit that at first I thought that it was just one of those added things in a package travel deal that forces you to waste your money… but to my delight I actually found something very interesting about the village, a completely uncommon sight.
There was not even one male to be found, anywhere.
When I looked around the village there were only women guiding and explaining their special tea culture to the little huddles travelers. After watching them closely I realized there was something strange about these women, they didn’t look like the other ethnic tribes women and their behavior and manner of speech was also very perplexing. It’s very difficult to describe the kind of confusion I experienced because while I could see that they were clearly female they were also definitely different from the average Chinese female and there was a strong sense of restraint and regiment among them.
After puzzling over all of this on my own for a while I asked the guide why there were no males in this village, and she explained that the Musuo tribe is known as “the Kingdom of the Women”. Every family is led by a capable female who is well respected by other members. All females have the right to make decisions in handling the family and tribe affairs. So in this tribe the women usually work outside and men stay at home and work as a “househusband”, if you would call them that.
To this day I am not really certain when the Musuo tribe started that custom, but it was quite refreshing to witness something of that nature, and see how much harmony they enjoy through their tradition.
I learned many things from my short adventure into the unique Chinese culture and I am grateful for how the experience helped me to broaden my perspective on life and the possibilities available to us.
In the world there are many different ways of life and different people who lives these ways. I could see how regardless of our traditions and cultures, one things is a given, and that is that all human beings desire to live in peace. Be it one way, or another, that goal is the same. Perhaps someday there will be an exact criteria for world peace, but until we can all hear it I hope our criteria will be simple… love! I hope to keep this precious experience and life-changing realization with me forever.
Through meeting together, sharing and educating ourselves
about many diverse cultures, we are living evidence of the ability to
peacefully co-exist. We aim to bring down the barriers created through
cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and discrimination.
This can be achieved by finding common ground in our hopes
to see faith in humanity restored.
Our hope is World Peace.
CALLING ALL NATIONS!! Mannam is an association of about 54 volunteer organizations, focusing on art, culture, and volunteer services of any and every kind.
Originating in Korea, but fast expanding internationally, Mannam is making a positive impact in many different countries across the globe, with the goal of eventually reaching out to and uniting all nations through embracing our cultural differences, celebrating our diversity, and respecting our fellow human.
We , as Mannam Volunteers all over the world, believe that regardless of your gender, social or political status, race, religion, culture, language or nationality, LIFE is the most valuable gift that all of us have been given… We may be vastly different people, but we share the commonality of life, and we all possess the ability to share that life with others.
Volunteering is truly the most humbling way to enrich others lives while realizing the gratitude you have for of our own… money is replaceable, but your time, is priceless. That makes the time (life) you spend serving others an incredible experience, and probably one of the few gifts that you can give away, while receive one hundred times what you have given through the experience of gratitude, humility and joy in your own life. As volunteers, this is our great honor and payment… the feeling of unity and peace across boundaries that would usually segregate people. 
With their 1 year anniversary coming up, we want to say a huge thank you tothe Mannam South Africa – Cape Town branch! They have been planning, managing and hosting some incredible volunteer opportunities as well as social events, allowing everyone and anyone to get involved in celebrating the reality of the “Rainbow Nation”.
Cleaning, sorting, painting, chopping trees, burning rubble, planting vegetables, walking dogs, washing dogs, playing games, chatting to kids off the street… the list is endless, and the impact of what Mannam South Africa is achieving is great!When you bring your light (your background, culture, religion, race – the essence of who you are as a person), and share that with the next person, also prepared to share their light, there can only ever be victory! When lights unite, our homes, cities, countries and our world will find peace.
Through meeting together, sharing and educating ourselves
about many diverse cultures, we are living evidence of the ability to
peacefully co-exist. We aim to bring down the barriers created through
cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and discrimination.
This can be achieved by finding common ground in our hopes
to see faith in humanity restored.
Our hope is World Peace.
The start of something great!!
From humble beginnings… little lights shine and fill the earth…
One small victory at a time.
Through meeting together, sharing and educating ourselves
about many diverse cultures, we are living evidence of the ability to
peacefully co-exist. We aim to bring down the barriers created through
cultural ignorance, misunderstandings, and discrimination.
This can be achieved by finding common ground in our hopes
to see faith in humanity restored.
Our hope is World Peace.
Writer: Eunhyung
Nationality: Korean
My brother spent a while living in Mongolia and he learnt some manners there that are exactly opposite to the Korean way of respect, this made his life pretty interesting when he moved back to Korea.
In Mongolia, if you step on somebodies foot it is a great offense and the unspoken symbol of wanting to start a fight. It is so serious, in fact, than even if it was simply a small tap by accident, the assumption will be made that it was disrespectful and enough of a reason to think that whoever stood on you wants a fight.
For this reason the moment anyone steps on your toes in Mongolia accidentally, they will quickly make sure to show you their sincerest apologies by a handshake. Verbally apologizing is not enough, it will always be made clear by someone quickly grabbing onto your hand in a gesture of peace. After the handshake both parties can continue on their way.
Can you imagine my brother in a Korean subway station with hundreds of people hustling and bustling around? it was inevitable that it happened… he stood on a ladies foot, grabbed onto her hand to apologize and to his complete shock was suddenly brought back to reality with a swift hand to the head instead.
Our different manners are so interesting, and can be quite entertaining too^^
mannam impact 