Buzz
The global economy is an incredible force. Thanks to rapid transportation and the Internet, the cultures of the world are now more intertwined than ever before in history. However, this interconnection has also led to some unique cultural oddities, with unexpected cultural phenomena emerging in the most surprising places and among the most unlikely people.
10. A Tiny German Town in Venezuela
Venezuela, a South American country renowned for its tropical climate, Latin influences, and lush jungles, is home to a small German village tucked away in its northern region. La Colonia Tovar, a picturesque town founded by 300 German settlers who arrived in Venezuela in 1843, has preserved its German heritage and culture for nearly two centuries.
One day, a group of 300 Germans received an invitation from a colonizing organization, and they decided to journey across the globe. Three months later, they arrived on the shores of Venezuela and began to settle. However, rather than assimilating into Venezuelan culture, enjoying its cuisine, and mixing with the local population, these Germans created a small version of Germany in a remote and uninhabited area of Venezuela's mountainous region.
They maintained their own dialect (Badisch), constructed buildings and homes in the traditional German style, and continued to wear German clothes and enjoy their familiar German dishes (albeit with some local spices added). The rest of Venezuela largely ignored them, partly because the only access to their town was via a river to Caracas. As a result, the rest of the country probably saw them as ‘those odd white people living in the mountains.’
For a century, the Germans flourished in isolation. However, when World War II began and the Nazis started their atrocities against anyone who wasn’t blonde, blue-eyed, and white, Venezuela decided it was time to monitor this ‘possible nest of Nazis.’ The government banned the German language, made Spanish mandatory in schools, and constructed new roads to facilitate better connections with the rest of the country.
Within a few decades, intermarriage became common, and many Venezuelans began to visit La Colonia Tovar as a peaceful retreat from the busy city life. Despite the changes, La Colonia Tovar’s unique cultural preservation has led it to become one of Venezuela’s wealthiest towns, known for its high standard of living. So if you’re ever in South America and craving a strudel, make sure to visit La Colonia Tovar.
9. The Grandma Graffiti Gang in Portugal
Graffiti in urban areas is often associated with rough neighborhoods or places where rebellious youth dominate the streets. Culturally, graffiti is most often linked to inner-city areas in the US, but it can appear all over the globe—and we usually blame it on those pesky kids. However, in Portugal, one workshop is working to flip that stereotype. Instead of graffiti created by youths, it's grandmothers doing the painting.
Lata 65 is an urban art workshop in Lisbon, Portugal, where elderly individuals—mostly grandmothers—are taught to appreciate and create their own street graffiti. Initially meant to be a one-off project, the workshop gained such enthusiasm and attention from the senior community that the founder, Lara Rodrigues, decided to continue it until the grandmothers grew tired of tagging the town (which they haven’t yet).
Rodrigues believes that age is just a number and aims to use this workshop to challenge the stereotype of senior citizens as irrelevant. By allowing them to express themselves through graffiti, she encourages them to speak out against ageism. She also sees it as a way to bridge generational gaps, showcasing how urban art can ‘encourage, promote, and enhance the democratization of access to contemporary art.’
The workshop spans two days of learning, starting with the history and theory of graffiti art (which essentially boils down to: grab a spray can, find a wall, and hope the cops don’t show up). Then, the grandmothers create their own street names and tag previously untouched walls. We can’t confirm whether any of the grandmas have been arrested yet, but it’s only a matter of time before they challenge the Bloods and the Crips.
8. The Concrete Cowboys of Philadelphia
Philadelphia is known for its tough streets, where even the most well-meaning kid can end up making the wrong decisions. Yet, amid the gentrification, dilapidated buildings, and struggling neighborhoods, there's a hidden stable in an urban area, providing a peaceful escape for riders known as the Concrete Cowboys.
A decade ago, Malik Divers started the Concrete Cowboys when he discovered his love for horses. He has since maintained a stable in the heart of the city, using it as a sanctuary for teenagers seeking a hobby they can be passionate about. This initiative operates in a community where many young people are pushed toward the wrong choices, driven by hopelessness, unemployment, and the temptation of gangs and drugs that threaten to derail their futures.
Thanks to Divers' efforts, many teenagers have found a new purpose through horse therapy, leading to better lives and a genuine love for riding. One of the cowboys, Shahir Drayton, shares that he's lost several family members to random acts of urban violence. But by being part of the Concrete Cowboys, he avoided falling into the same destructive path that claimed his brother, uncle, and friends.
Riding through the urban streets, the Concrete Cowboys experience a sense of peace and fulfillment that’s otherwise hard to find in their environment. And while the cityscape may not match the backdrop of a classic Western, we’re pretty sure the horses appreciate the ride just as much.
7. K-Pop Lovers in India
India has long been recognized as a melting pot of cultural riches, from ancient traditions to the modern-day prominence of Bollywood, which rivals Hollywood in popularity. However, one region of India doesn’t quite align with this broader view. The northeastern state of Manipur has a history of tension and conflict with the rest of India.
The people of Manipur, who are lighter-skinned and of Mongoloid descent, often find themselves marginalized compared to those from central India. This racial discrimination has fostered a deep sense of alienation. In 2000, the Revolutionary People’s Front, a powerful local group, took drastic measures by banning Bollywood and Hindi films in a bid to resist Indianization. With limited content available, Manipur’s media outlets faced a crisis until they found an unlikely savior: South Korea.
Through smuggling channels linked to Myanmar, Korean music, movies, and television shows became wildly popular in Manipur. For the past 16 years, they have been the primary form of entertainment for young people in the region. These youth, who are often left with little to do when electricity is available, binge-watch Korean dramas with English subtitles during their limited power hours. Because they share Mongoloid features with Koreans, they feel a stronger cultural connection with South Korea than with their fellow Indians.
The influence of Korean pop culture in Manipur runs deep. From music to movies and TV shows, the youth emulate Korean hairstyles, clothing, and even learn the Korean language. In the more remote areas, K-pop’s reach is even stronger, as local residents rely on cheap $1 Korean DVDs for entertainment in the absence of movie theaters.
In New Delhi, young people from Manipur have been targeted and even killed for being perceived as different. This hostility isn’t surprising in a nation with deep-rooted caste issues, including the 'untouchables.' Manipur’s people face discrimination when traveling south, but no matter the challenges, they continue to find solace and joy in Korean culture.
6. Money Burners - South Africa
The stereotype of African-American hip-hop culture is one of excessive luxury. To live the 'high life', one must splurge on expensive clothing, attractive women, fast cars, and just about anything else that shows off wealth. While wealthy American rappers can afford this, it’s surprising to see a similar lifestyle being emulated in one of the poorest countries, where over half of people aged 18–25 are unemployed.
This exact phenomenon is taking place in South Africa with the rise of the Izikhothane subculture. These young South Africans, who are often jobless and struggling financially, manage to scrape together whatever money they can from their families and other sources to purchase costly designer items they cannot really afford. This includes high-end Italian fashion, premium alcohol brands like Hennessy and Jack Daniels, and lavish cars with custom designs.
The Izikhothane take to the streets, engaging in dance-offs with one another (someone's clearly been binge-watching *Step Up*). They also buy pricey food and throw it across the street as a show of their supposed wealth. Their logic? The more they waste, the more they are seen as wealthy, powerful, and clever.
Unsurprisingly, this behavior doesn't sit well with the older generation. Many of the parents of these young people are disheartened, as they witness the first post-apartheid generation displaying such a severe lack of discipline.
Instead of limiting the money their children squander, the parents choose to let them spend freely, relieved that at least their kids aren't falling into worse habits like drugs. However, when a young person's existence revolves around buying exorbitantly expensive clothes and alcohol just to impress others, it's hard to see how things could get much worse.
5. Confederados - Brazil
Brazil is famous for its vibrant cultural scene, characterized by a deep love for football, its passionate samba dances, and its Latin charm. Yet, at the opposite end of the cultural spectrum, one might be surprised to find something reminiscent of the Confederate States of America from the 19th-century South. What kind of story could bring these two worlds together?
No need for a fabricated story—this is exactly the case in Americana, a municipality in São Paulo, Brazil. The town’s residents identify as the Confederados, descendants of 19th-century citizens of the Confederate States of America. They proudly carry on the cultural heritage of the Confederacy, including displaying the Confederate flag, wearing army uniforms, and dancing in a way that blends Confederate traditions with their own Brazilian style.
So, how did this all come to be?
After the Civil War concluded in 1865, many Southerners felt out of place in the United States and sought a new home where they could acquire affordable land and restart their lives. They found that place in São Paulo, Brazil, where Emperor Don Pedro II had sent recruiters to the U.S. in hopes of bringing farmers to teach Brazilians their agricultural methods.
Even though General Robert E. Lee advised against it, about 10,000 Southerners set off for Brazil, making this the only time in American history when such a large group of people left the country to settle elsewhere. Brazil’s lenient stance on slavery also made it attractive, as it was the last country to officially abolish the practice in 1888.
Many of those who journeyed to Brazil eventually returned to the United States, realizing that starting a new life was not as easy as they had hoped. However, 94 families stayed behind, becoming wealthy through the cultivation of cotton and sugarcane. These families are the ancestors of today’s Confederados.
This group of settlers refused to speak Portuguese, created their own Baptist churches and schools, and continued to prepare traditional Southern dishes like biscuits and gravy, pecan pie, and black-eyed peas. Over the course of a century, their Confederate heritage blended with Spanish influences, leading to a generation of descendants who primarily speak Portuguese but still carry a Southern drawl when they speak English.
4. Fortune-Telling Robots - India
Despite how futuristic our world may appear, robots are still a rare sight in daily life. Outside the realm of labs and science fiction, humanoid, bipedal robots that could function as members of society are still a rarity. It will likely take another few decades before they become a commonplace part of our lives.
In a poor market in Bangalore, India, where farmers sell their goods to people who can barely afford a car, much less a robot, the locals have found a unique way to blend India’s passion for fortune-telling with inexpensive, retro-style robots. However, the robots' “retro” appearance likely wasn’t the original design intention—it was simply due to the fact that “these were the only parts we had.”
For just five rupees, customers can plug headphones into one of these quirky robots to hear a prerecorded message revealing their fortune. These fortune-telling robots have become quite popular, and several can be found in the busy markets of Bangalore. Patrons can choose from four languages—Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, or Telugu—and then listen to a daily prediction, whether it’s a hopeful lottery win or the realization that they’ve just paid for the modern-day equivalent of a fortune cookie.
3. Cholos - Thailand
In the broadest sense, cholos are Mexican gangsters known for their own style of music, a distinct ‘gang’ lifestyle, and a signature look that includes oversized shirts, baggy jeans, bandanas, dark sunglasses, and lots of tattoos. These gangs are usually tied to violence and are rooted in tough, underprivileged neighborhoods. So, if you were to pick a group to emulate, cholos wouldn’t be the first choice.
However, in Thailand, this trend seems to have taken off. Young Thai men from all walks of life gather to hang out and adopt the cholo style. They dress in typical cholo fashion, listen to cholo music, and hang out in public spaces, engaging in little more than standing around, looking cool, and occasionally heading out to find a place to drink.
The Thai cholos come from all sorts of professions, including government workers, university professors, bank employees, and even police officers—odd, considering their favorite anthem is ‘F—k the PoPo.’ So how did this all come about?
According to the Thai cholos themselves, the trend was sparked by YouTube videos and music. The Mexican style resonated with them, especially since, unlike black or white rappers, Mexicans physically resemble Thais. This made them more relatable. On top of that, the baggy clothes favored by cholos are perfect for Thailand’s sweltering heat.
Fortunately, the Thai cholos seem to be emulating only the fashion and sense of brotherhood, finding comfort in knowing they have 'brothers' who look out for them as part of their 'gang.' Thankfully, they didn’t adopt the more destructive, ‘public menace’ aspects of the cholo lifestyle.
2. Nazi Chic Asia
The combination of Asians and Nazis may seem as unlikely as mixing yin and yang—two things that just don’t fit together. But strangely enough, Nazi chic has become a thing, and unfortunately, it's gained a fair amount of popularity.
Over the past couple of decades, many young people in Asia have taken to Nazi attire and memorabilia. For some reason, they've decided that these symbols are ‘stylish’ without realizing the horrific history behind them—specifically their connection to the Holocaust and World War II.
One recent example of this bizarre fashion trend occurred in 2014 when the pop group Pritz performed in public while sporting dark clothing and symbols that were unmistakably inspired by Nazi imagery. They later apologized, claiming ignorance, but instances of subtle Nazi admiration can still be found across various Asian countries.
In Thailand, for instance, students organized a Nazi-themed parade in 2007, and another school held an SS-themed sports event in 2012. At a leading Thai university, students painted a massive mural featuring Hitler alongside other superheroes, and some even performed the ‘sieg heil’ salute. Nazi-inspired pop groups also have a following in the region.
In South Korea, Nazi-themed bars exist, and in China, it became a trend to dress up as Nazi officers for wedding photos. Whether this is a case of extreme cultural misunderstanding or if people simply prioritize style over historical events is unclear. But one thing is certain: If you’re planning to travel, leave your sense of outrage behind, because vacations are for relaxing, not for being horrified by bizarre trends.
1. Wild Parrots Brooklyn
Brightly colored and noisy wild parrots are typically associated with South American countries like Argentina, where they’re native. In the United States, you’d expect to find parrots only in pet stores. But in one corner of Brooklyn, New York, this assumption is far from accurate.
Why? Because a robust community of wild parrots has somehow managed to establish a population in the trees of New York’s gritty streets. The wild parrots of New York are an unexpected sight for tourists. Sure, sparrows and pigeons are commonplace—those dull, city birds that beg for crumbs in the park. But vibrant green parrots, who loudly squawk at one another more than they forage for bread, can also be found in the branches of trees that line the city’s streets.
How did they end up there? Some theories suggest that a long time ago, a shipment of parrots at JFK Airport encountered an accident, releasing a number of these birds to escape and build a life in the wild. Others think the story is less dramatic, pointing to careless pet owners and pet stores who inadvertently let their parrots loose. Either way, the birds found each other, formed their own community, and began to breed.
The wild parrot community now seems perfectly at home in New York, the global hub of culture and diversity. So the next time you’re in the city, whether you’re catching a Broadway show or trying to make a few bucks (no judgment on your finances!), take a moment to glance up at the sky. You might spot a light green parrot swooping by, shooing the pigeons away. If you're interested, you can even join a group of wild parrot enthusiasts in Brooklyn to witness this remarkable sight.
