CulturalFest Countdown: Learn more about India!
Join over 2,000 students, local community members, and elementary school students in travelling the world in a day at FIUTS CulturalFest International Expo on February 10th, 2017!
Spend the day experiencing the cultures of 45 countries, covering five continents! The Expo features booths developed and staffed by student volunteers from all over the world! The event is free and open to the public.
The Expo is TOMORROW, as we feature blog posts about different regions and countries that will be represented. Read on to learn three fun facts about India and stop by to learn more!
Fun Fact #1: India is the most ethnically diverse country in the world by population!
Not only is India a very geographically diverse country, it is also the most ethnically diverse nation in the world! In fact, there are 17 major languages and over 800 dialects spoken in India. There are also over 2,000 ethnic groups within India that live in community with each other.
Fun Fact 2: the Mridangam is an ancient Indian instrument
The Mridangam is a barrel-shaped double-headed drum used in southern Indian music. The Mridangam is made using a hollowed piece of jack fruit wood; the two mouths of the drum are covered with a goatskin with leather straps around the the drum. This instrument is often used Carnatic music performances.
Fun Fact 3: Clay diyas are often used temporarily as lighting for special occasions
Diyas (also referred to as deyas, divaas, deepas, deepams, or deepaks) are oil lamps that are used throughout India. During the Hindu Festival of Lights, a five-day festival celebrated by millions of people every autumn called Diwali, these lights are used. These lamps are used to symbolize how triumph of light over darkness, the good over evil.
Come to the 2017 CulturalFest International Expo to find out more fun facts about the cultures around our globe! Open and free to the public:
Friday, February 10, 2016
10:30 AM-3:00 PM
University of Washington
Husky Union Building (HUB) Ballrooms (2nd Floor)