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CULTURALLY ROOTED WELLNESS
Cultural exploration and ancient traditions.
CULTURE & RITUALS
This section highlights culturally rooted wellness practices — from food and movement to rituals passed down through generations. We publish real stories, not summaries, from people living these traditions or adapting them in everyday life. Some are old. Some are evolving. All of them mean something.
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Janal Pixán and the Day of the Dead: Yucatán’s Tradition of Remembrance
In Yucatán, Janal Pixán—“Food for the Souls”—welcomes loved ones home through scent, candlelight, and favorite dishes prepared with care. It’s a quiet reunion across generations.
Nikolas Gutierrez
5 days ago2 min read
Circoli & Cooperativas: Cards, Soccer, and the Quiet Work of Belonging
An exploration of Italy’s circoli — social clubs born from cooperative ideals that continue to define community life through shared routine and connection.
Isola Chambers
Oct 285 min read
Merienda: The Filipino Ritual of Pausing Together
Discover how the Filipino tradition of merienda offers more than snacks — it’s a daily pause for joy, connection, and resilience.
Gabriel Feliciano
Oct 156 min read
The Bayanihan Way: What the Philippines Can Teach the World About Health and Connection
Bayanihan, the Filipino tradition of collective unity, shows how compassion and cooperation build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.
Juliana Betervo
Oct 144 min read
The Obokano of Kisii: Music, Healing, and Cultural Wellness in Kenya
Discover the Obokano, a Kisii lyre from Kenya whose deep tones preserve culture, foster belonging, and embody music’s power to heal and unite communities.
Annah Okero
Sep 304 min read
Yucatán Wellness Rituals: Culture, Tradition, and Healing Practices
From ancient Maya ballgames to cucumber-lime water, discover how Yucatán’s traditions weave wellness, culture, and community into daily life.
Nikolas Gutierrez
Sep 305 min read
The Ritual of Silence in Japanese Gardens: Wellness in Stillness
At Ritsurin Garden in Japan, silence is not absence but presence — a ritual that nourishes wellness, creativity, and connection to the world around us.
Kimberley Cookey-Gam
Sep 294 min read
Italy’s Unspoken Food Rules: Lessons in Seasonality and Belonging
From seasonal eating to sacred mealtimes, Italy’s food rules reveal how tradition, family, and culture nourish both body and identity.
Suzanne Abbott-Lee
Sep 295 min read
Belonging Across Bloodlines: Wellness, Ancestry, and the Land
What does it mean to belong when your roots span many ancestries?
This story explores identity, land, and the threads that connect us to wellness.
Sierra Felicidad
Sep 294 min read
Seasonal Eating in Italy: Strawberries Belong to May
Discover seasonal eating in Italy, or “chilometro zero,” where food, place, and patience come together to nourish joy, rhythm, and belonging.
Isola Chambers
Sep 234 min read
Igba Ota-omu of Nigeria’s Ohafia People: A Celebration of Unity and Resilience
Explore Igba Ota-omu, the Ohafia age-grade retirement ceremony in Abia State, Nigeria—where unity, resilience, and cultural heritage foster belonging.
Peace Nwoha
Sep 235 min read
Postpartum Care in Punjabi Tradition: Healing Rituals from Pakistan
Across cultures, maternal wellness is sustained by presence, patience, and ritual. This piece shares how Punjabi families in Pakistan nurture new mothers through food, rest, and belonging.
Zumrah Tariq
Sep 234 min read
Nigeria’s Yoruba Naming Ceremony and the Gift of Belonging
Discover Nigeria’s Yoruba naming ceremony, Ikosewaju Omo—where names, food, and community create identity, belonging, and cultural continuity.
Promise Ojokoh
Sep 224 min read
Boiling Hope: How My Grandmother Uses Steam to Heal More Than Just Colds
Discover how steam rituals, passed down by generations, offer more than relief for colds — they bring comfort, connection, and cultural healing
Huma K.
Sep 164 min read
Hungry Ghost Festival Malaysia: Rituals, Beliefs & Wellness
Discover Malaysia’s Hungry Ghost Festival, where rituals for ancestors and forgotten souls blend Taoist and Buddhist traditions with modern life.
Jess Chuen
Sep 164 min read
The Sunday Table: Inside Croatia’s Unwritten Rules of Family Lunch
Discover Croatia’s Sunday family lunch ritual—where generations gather, share stories, and find wellness in tradition, food, and connection
Ema Resler
Sep 163 min read
My Grandmother's Brass Vessels: Why Cooking in Metal Changed How Food Tastes (and Feels)
A personal story of brass vessels, tradition, and science — how metal cookware changes taste, aids digestion, and keeps memory alive.
Vijayakumar Subramanian
Sep 164 min read
Embracing Cultural Movement Practices for Holistic Wellness
Discover 6 cultural movement rituals — from tai chi to evening walks — with proven health benefits backed by tradition and research.
GSS Staff
Aug 253 min read
Ancestral Sound Baths: Global Healing Traditions Behind Today’s Wellness Trend
Discover the global roots of sound baths—from didgeridoo to Tibetan bowls—and why these ancient practices are reshaping wellness today.
Dr. K.
Aug 204 min read
Nigella Sativa in Egyptian Culture: The Black Seed of Blessing and Healing
Explore the story of the black seed (Nigella sativa) — Egypt’s “seed of blessing,” treasured from pharaohs to prophets for health, beauty, and ritual.
Nada Emad Eldin
Aug 184 min read
Why Coffee in Croatia Is Never Just Coffee: The Culture Behind the Cup
Discover why coffee in Croatia is never just about caffeine. From terrace cafés to timeless gatherings, explore the ritual that keeps communities connected.
Ema Resler
Aug 183 min read
Postpartum Pantang: The Silent Labor of Healing in Malaysian-Chinese Homes
Explore Pantang—the Malaysian-Chinese postpartum ritual. From healing soups to Bengkung binding, uncover the silent labor behind maternal recovery.
Jess Chuen
Aug 185 min read
Why Eastern Europeans Revere Black Bread
Discover why Eastern Europeans revere black bread — from its fermentation and gut health benefits to its deep cultural symbolism and everyday traditions.
Lili Puskar
Aug 185 min read
Ogiek Herbal Medicine: Pregnancy and Post-Natal Care Traditions from Kenya’s Mau Forest
Explore the Ogiek community’s herbal medicine traditions in Kenya’s Mau Forest, guiding pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal recovery for generations.
Chepkorir Scolah
Aug 136 min read
Healing Fruits of Colombia: Traditional Wellness Benefits from Guanábana to Guava
Discover Colombia’s healing fruits—from guanábana to uchuva—and their traditional wellness uses rooted in culture and community.
Grace Mathieson Savina
Aug 135 min read
Majčina Dušica: Bosnia’s Wild Thyme and Its Centuries-Old Healing Tradition
Explore majčina dušica, Bosnia’s wild thyme, and its role in traditional healing, tea rituals, and cultural heritage across generations.
Lamija Memidzan
Aug 114 min read
Oat Bath Remedy: A Bolivian Tradition for Calming Skin Irritation
Discover how traditional oat baths helped two generations in Bolivia soothe sensitive skin, blending family history, culture, and natural remedies.
Susann Castro
Aug 105 min read
Everyday Wellness Routines from Around the World That Never Needed Branding
Explore simple cultural wellness habits — everyday routines people around the world have practiced for generations.
GSS Staff
Aug 55 min read
Tribal Rituals of Himachal Pradesh: The Healing Rituals of Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants
Discover how nettle tea, a traditional remedy in Himachal Pradesh, offers natural relief for menstrual pain and joint aches across generations.
Ankita Sharma
Aug 42 min read
Tawa-Tawa: The Filipino Herbal Remedy That Heals with Laughter
Discover the healing power of Tawa-Tawa, a traditional Filipino herb used for dengue and more—rooted in family, laughter, and generations of care.
Juliana Betervo
Aug 45 min read
Saint Hildegard Meets Brazil: A Sacred Path to Inner Peace
A Brazilian retreat blends Saint Hildegard’s medieval wisdom with herbal rituals to restore emotional balance and spiritual rest.
Juliani Alves
Aug 43 min read
Why Kenyan Elders Keep Farming: Ritual, Resilience, and the Roots of Mental Strength
In rural Kenya, elderly women farm not just for food—but for mental clarity, purpose, and cultural connection through daily rituals.
Shadrack Agaki
Jul 313 min read
From Pakistan’s Punjab: The Healing Ritual of Mustard Oil
In Punjabi homes, mustard oil massages are more than winter remedies—they’re acts of care passed down through touch, memory, and multigenerational hands.
Huma K.
Jul 293 min read
The Saturday Oil Bath: How Tamil Families Keep an Ancient Healing Ritual Alive
A Tamil father's weekly oil bath ritual revives tradition, healing, and intergenerational care—rooted in Siddha medicine and family memory.
Vijayakumar Subramanian
Jul 294 min read
I Said I Was From Here. I Meant It. I Also Didn’t.
A deeply personal reflection on identity, motherhood, mental well-being, and a moment of pause at a car dealership—sparked by earrings and a novel she didn’t expect to love.
Dr. K.
Jun 274 min read
Not Spicy, Just Spiced: The Global Language of Flavor and Wellness
Discover how global spice traditions connect food, culture, and wellness—beyond heat, into healing, memory, and everyday flavor.
Dr. K.
Jun 24 min read
Everyday Wellness, the Swiss Way: What I Learned Visiting Droguerie Villeneuve
At Droguerie Villeneuve in Switzerland, plant-based remedies are more than wellness trends—they’re part of a living culture. Discover how herbal knowledge, regulation, and tradition converge in everyday Swiss life.
Dr. K.
Jun 24 min read
Ancient Maori Healing: Traditional Wellness Practices in New Zealand’s Retreats
Explore Māori healing, plant medicine, and wellness retreats in New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes.
Dr. K.
Apr 94 min read
What Wellness Really Looked Like in My Indian Childhood
Inherited Indian rituals that still ground me—quiet acts of care, memory, and everyday wellness.
Dr. K.
Mar 258 min read
A Journey to Wellness in Khajuraho: Temples, Wildlife, and Sustainable Luxury
Travel suggestions: Family visit to the Khajuraho temples, Panna tiger reserve and our sustainable luxury stay at The Sarai at Toria.
Dr. K.
Jan 68 min read
Best India-Inspired Wellness Retreats & Ayurvedic Spas in the U.S.
A look at Indian-inspired wellness retreats & Ayurveda spas in the USA where you can immerse yourself in authentic experiences.
Dr. K.
Jul 13, 20244 min read
Atali Ganga: A Wellness and Adventure Retreat in the Himalayas
Adventure and wellness meet at Atali Ganga in Rishikesh—rafting, yoga, and mountain escapes await!
GSS Staff
Jul 9, 20245 min read
Charms of Bali: An Indonesian Journey of Enigma & Discovery
With its unique culture and breathtaking landscapes, Bali is a must-visit destination. Here are things you can do on your visit.
Dr. K.
Mar 26, 20246 min read
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