Women of the Lovely Planet-4

Women of the Lovely Planet have played the integral part in every sphere of the life of the humans around the globe. Specially in the modern era, they’ve come out strongly from the oppression and discrimination. They have proved themselves as the influential segment of their respective societies through their wisdom, dignity and grace. Today, the women are very actively performing many jobs that were beyond imagination in the past.  This is the final part of the women of the lovely planet series and we’ve tried to pay tribute to them by giving them due honor and adoration.

These are the remaining images of the women from different countries of the world ;

131- A working woman from Qatar

A working woman from Qatar

A working woman from Qatar

132- A beautiful Romanian woman – Romania

A beautiful Romanian woman (Image: Hilde Bakering-Pilkington)

A beautiful Romanian woman (Image: Hilde Bakering-Pilkington)

133- A pretty Russian woman from Moscow – Russia

A pretty Russian woman from Moscow (Image: Ricardo Nuno)

A pretty Russian woman from Moscow (Image: Ricardo Nuno)

134- A smiling girl from Rwanda

A smiling girl from Rwanda (Image: Alex Motrenko)

A smiling girl from Rwanda (Image: Alex Motrenko)

135- A native girl of Saint Lucia

A native girl of Saint Lucia (Image: Alan Shipley)

A native girl of Saint Lucia (Image: Alan Shipley)

136- A Samoan woman from Samoa

A Samoan woman from Samoa (Photo: Raphael Bick)

A Samoan woman from Samoa (Photo: Raphael Bick)

137- A graceful lady from San Marino

A graceful lady from San Marino (Image by Bootsman40)

A graceful lady from San Marino (Image by Bootsman40)

138- A smiling woman of São Tomé and Príncipe

A smiling woman of São Tomé and Príncipe (Image: Andre Pipa)

A smiling woman of São Tomé and Príncipe (Image: Andre Pipa)

139- A working woman from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A working woman from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A working woman from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

140- A local girl of Swaziland

A local girl of Sawaziland - By: Alan Shipley

A local girl of Sawaziland - By: Alan Shipley

141- A Scottish woman in her traditional costume – Scotland

A Scottish woman in her traditional costume (Image: Martin)

A Scottish woman in her traditional costume (Image: Martin)

142- A smiling girl from Senegal

A smiling girl from Senegal (Image : Boudewijn Olthof )

A smiling girl from Senegal (Image : Boudewijn Olthof )

143- A woman from Seychelles

A woman from Seychelles (Image: maapu)

A woman from Seychelles (Image: maapu)

144- A native girl of Sierra Leone

A native girl of Sierra Leone (Image by Lindsay Stark)

A native girl of Sierra Leone (Image by Lindsay Stark)

145- A woman from Singapore wearing hat

A woman from Singapore wearing hat (Image: Sean Lowcay)

A woman from Singapore wearing hat (Image: Sean Lowcay)

146- The Slovak lady from Slovakia

The Slovak lady from Slovakia

The Slovak lady from Slovakia

147- A woman from Solomon Island

A woman from Solomon Island (Image: Tom Perry)

A woman from Solomon Island (Image: Tom Perry)

148- A Somali girl in her traditional dress from Somalia

A Somali girl in traditional dress from Somalia_(Image courtesy: whotalking.com)

A Somali girl in traditional dress from Somalia_(Image courtesy: whotalking.com)

149- The typical South African woman – South Africa

The typical South African woman (Image by Stephen Bess)

The typical South African woman (Image by Stephen Bess)

150- An elegant lady from South Korea

An elegant lady from South Korea (Image: John Arbouw)

An elegant lady from South Korea (Image: John Arbouw)

151- A woman of South Sudan

A woman of South Sudan (Image by Lindsay Stark)

A woman of South Sudan (Image by Lindsay Stark)

152- An exotic image of a Spanish girl – Spain

An exotic image of a Spanish girl - Spain (Image: Latina Power)

An exotic image of a Spanish girl - Spain (Image: Latina Power)

153- A Serb woman from Serbia

A Serbian Woman ( Image: williewonker )

A Serbian Woman ( Image: williewonker )

154- A smiling girl of Sri Lanka

A smiling girl of Sri Lanka (Image by Hana Hettiaratchi Sklenarova)

A smiling girl of Sri Lanka (Image by Hana Hettiaratchi Sklenarova)

155- A Sudanese woman – Sudan

A Sudanese woman - Sudan (Image: Marwa Rustam)

A Sudanese woman - Sudan (Image: Marwa Rustam)

156- An indigenous woman of Suriname

An indigenous woman of Suriname (Image: Henk Nijssen)

An indigenous woman of Suriname (Image: Henk Nijssen)

157- A Swedish girl – Sweden

A Swedish girl - Sweden (Image courtesy:juliana-photography)

A Swedish girl - Sweden (Image courtesy:juliana-photography)

158- A Swiss girl from Switzerland

A Swiss girl from Switzerland (Image courtesy: fastfoodforthought)

A Swiss girl from Switzerland (Image courtesy: fastfoodforthought)

159- A Syrian woman in her colorful dress – Syria

A Syrian woman in her colorful dress (Image: Alan Shipley)

A Syrian woman in her colorful dress (Image: Alan Shipley)

160- A girl from Taiwan

A girl from Taiwan (Photo: Yueh-Hua Lee)

A girl from Taiwan (Photo: Yueh-Hua Lee)

161- A fabulous girl of Tajikistan

A fabulous girl of Tajikistan (Image by Marusia)

A fabulous girl of Tajikistan (Image by Marusia)

162- A Tanzanian woman from Tanzania

A TANZANIAN GIRL FROM TANZANIA (Image: Eric Lafforgue )

A TANZANIAN GIRL FROM TANZANIA (Image: Eric Lafforgue )

163- A girl of Thailand

A girl of Thailand ( Image : King Of Nor )

A girl of Thailand ( Image : King Of Nor )

164- A local girl from Tonga

A local girl from Tonga ( A U Jay's Image )

A local girl from Tonga ( A U Jay's Image )

165- A Tunisian woman in her traditional attire – Tunisia

A Tunisian woman in her traditional attire (Image by ramiszaki)

A Tunisian woman in her traditional attire (Image by ramiszaki)

166- A beautiful Turkish girl from Turkey

A beautiful Turkish girl from Turkey (Image: Garry Knight)

A beautiful Turkish girl from Turkey (Image: Garry Knight)

167- A girl in her traditional costume from Turkmenistan

A girl in her traditional costume from Turkmenistan (Image: dolek flickr)

A girl in her traditional costume from Turkmenistan (Image: dolek flickr)

168- A dancing woman of Tuvalu

A dancing woman of Tuvalu ( A U Jay's Image )

A dancing woman of Tuvalu ( A U Jay's Image )

169- A woman from Uganda

A woman from Uganda ( Image: gisela gerson lohman-braun )

A woman from Uganda ( Image: gisela gerson lohman-braun )

170- A woman with all her grace from Ukraine

A woman with all her grace from Ukraine ( Image: dbmmedia )

A woman with all her grace from Ukraine ( Image: dbmmedia )

171- A woman of Uruguay

A woman of Uruguay (Image by Jimmy-Baikovicius )

A woman of Uruguay (Image by Jimmy-Baikovicius )

172- A graceful girl from the USA

A graceful girl from the USA (Image : Sandy Leidholdt)

A graceful girl from the USA (Image : Sandy Leidholdt)

173- An Uzbek girl from Uzbekistan

An Uzbek girl from Uzbekistan (Image by Alex)

An Uzbek girl from Uzbekistan (Image by Alex)

174- A girl of Venezuela in her colorful costume

A girl of Venezuela in her colorful costume (Image : powerfocusfotografie)

A girl of Venezuela in her colorful costume (Image : powerfocusfotografie)

175- A girl of Bulgaria

A girl of Bulgaria ( Photo by Vesela )

A girl of Bulgaria ( Photo by Vesela )

176- A Vietnamese girl – Vietnam

A Vietnamese girl - Vietnam (Image by Lon&Queta)

A Vietnamese girl - Vietnam (Image by Lon&Queta)

177- A girl from Yemen in a lovely dress

A girl from Yemen in a lovely dress (Image : Khalid Alkainaey)

A girl from Yemen in a lovely dress (Image : Khalid Alkainaey)

178- A Woman from Yugoslavia in Croatian Costume

A Woman from Yugoslavia in Croatian Costume (Image: Dave G. Houser/Corbis)

A Woman from Yugoslavia in Croatian Costume (Image: Dave G. Houser/Corbis)

179- A local girl of Zaire

A local girl of Zaire (Blue Heron Pictures)

A local girl of Zaire (Blue Heron Pictures)

180- A local woman of Zambia

A local woman of Zambia (Image: Philipp Hamedl)

A local woman of Zambia (Image: Philipp Hamedl)

National Birds of the Lovely Planet-1

Most of the countries of the lovely planet have also enlisted their national birds. We’ll tell you about the officially declared national birds of the countries of the world.

The list along with the exotic images of the national birds of the lovely planet is as under;

1- African Fish Eagle: The national bird of Zambia & Zimbabwe

African Fish Eagle is the national bird of Zambia & Zimbabwe (Image:Lyn Francey )

2- Andean Cock of the Rock: The national animal of Peru

Andean Cock of the Rock is national animal of Peru (Image: Momotus )

3- Andean Condor: The national bird of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador

Andean Condor is the national bird of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador ( Image : Pedro Szekely )

4- Bald Eagle: The national bird of the United States of America

Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States of America (Image:Alan Vernon )

5- Barbary Partridge: The national bird of Gibraltar

Barbary Partridge: The national bird of Gibraltar ( Image: Jonathan Perera )

6- Barn Swallow: The national bird of Austria & Estonia

Barn Swallow: The national bird of Austria & Estonia ( Image:Bayarsaikhan Luvsandor)

7- Bar-tailed Trogon: The national bird of Malawi

Bar-tailed Trogon is the national bird of Malawi_( Image courtesy flickr )

Bar-tailed Trogon is the national bird of Malawi_( Image courtesy flickr )

8- Bermuda Petrel: The national bird of Bermuda

Bermuda Petrel: The national bird of Bermuda ( Image courtesy Silver Photos )

Bermuda Petrel: The national bird of Bermuda ( Image courtesy Silver Photos )

9- Black Crowned-Crane: The national bird of Nigeria

Black Crowned-Crane is the national bird of Nigeria (Image courtesy Steve Photos on flickr )

Black Crowned-Crane is the national bird of Nigeria (Image courtesy Steve Photos on flickr )

10- Blue Crane : The national bird of South Africa

Blue Crane : The national bird of South Africa ( Image : Arthur Chapman )

11- Blue Rock Thrush: The national bird of Malta

Blue Rock Thrush is the national bird of Malta ( Image: Pete Walkden )

12- Burmese Peacock: The national bird of Myanmar

Burmese Peacock is the national bird of Myanmar ( Photo: Peter Stubbs )

Burmese Peacock is the national bird of Myanmar ( Photo: Peter Stubbs )

13- Caribbean Flamingo: The national bird of Bahamas

Caribbean Flamingo: The national bird of Bahamas ( Photo: Jeffery Johnson )

14- Chukar Partridge: The national bird of Iraq and Pakistan

Chukar Partridge is the national bird of Iraq & Pakistan ( Image : Fly to Water )

15- Clay-colored Thrush: The national bird of Costa Rica

Clay-colored Thrush: The national bird of Costa Rica ( Photo :Reddirtpics )

16- Common blackbird: The national bird of Sweden

Common blackbird is the national bird of Sweden ( Image Source : Kate's Photos )

17- Common Kestrel: The national bird of Belgium

Common Kestrel: The national bird of Belgium ( Image : Trrhodes )

Common Kestrel: The national bird of Belgium ( Image : Trrhodes )

18- Common Raven: The national bird of Bhutan

Common Raven: The national bird of Bhutan ( Image: Tom Spross )

Common Raven: The national bird of Bhutan ( Image: Tom Spross )

19- White-cheeked Turaco: The national bird of Côte d’Ivoire

White-cheeked Turaco: The national bird of Côte d'Ivoire ( Image:Ryan Ladbrook)

20- Crested Caracara: The national bird of Mexico

Crested Caracara is the national bird of Mexico ( Photo: Paul Williams )

21- Crimson Sunbird: The national bird of Singapore

Crimson Sunbird: The national bird of Singapore ( Photo : Sgluskoter )

22- Cuban-Trogon: The national bird of Cuba

Cuban-Trogon: The national bird of Cuba ( Phot: Dave Irving )

23- East African Crowned-Crane: The national bird of Uganda

East African Crowned-Crane: The national bird of Uganda ( Photo: gtjkb )

24- Eurasian Oystercatcher: The national bird of Faroe Islands

Eurasian Oystercatcher: The national bird of Faroe Islands ( Image: John Haslam )

25- European Robin: The national bird of the United Kingdom and Ireland

European Robin: The national bird of the United Kingdom and Ireland (Photo: Peter Kostov )

26- Gallic Rooster: The national bird of France

Gallic Rooster: The national bird of France ( Image by Mark Wilson )

27-Garden Bulbul: The national bird of Liberia

Garden Bulbul: The national bird of Liberia ( Photo: Tim Randall )

Garden Bulbul: The national bird of Liberia ( Photo: Tim Randall )

28- Giant Ibis Backlit or Pseudibis gigantea: The national bird of Cambodia

Giant Ibis Backlit or Pseudibis gigantea: The national bird of Cambodia ( wbdevelopmentmarjetplace )

29- Goldcrest: The national bird of Luxembourg

Goldcrest: The national bird of Luxembourg ( Photo: Gary Faulkner )

30- Golden Eagle: The national bird of Scotland

Golden Eagle: The national bird of Scotland ( Image : Mike Ashton )

 

This is the first part of the national bird series on the lovely planet. See the 2nd and the 3rd parts for the remaining lists of the national birds of the lovely planet.

 

 

Lovely Waterfalls of the Lovely Planet

Water flows rapidly downwards, drops over the stairs of cliffs and after falling, it splashes and the particles create phenomenal colors of rainbow. This is normally the child of a river and the water passes through many courses over many resistants. We are talking about ” Waterfall ” which is obviously the pearl of the scenic beauty of a mountain zone. In our lovely planet, earth, many types of waterfalls are existing like cascade, multi-step, frozen, block, horsetail and segmented etc.

- Mantokha Waterfall of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Mantokha Waterfall of Gilgit Baltistan ( Image: Huma Imtiaz ) - Pakistan

Mantokha Waterfall of Gilgit Baltistan ( Image: Huma Imtiaz ) - Pakistan

There is no doubt about the awe-inspiring grace of the waterfalls which has impressed the humans to this extent that they have constructed the models of wterfalls in many buildings for embellishment. Waterfalls have also tremendous benefits for the humans and they are equally good for the biodiversity. Waterfalls provide oxygen to the aqua species and help many water supporting plants to grow fastly. For the generation of hydropower and energy, the waterfalls have exceptional significance. Waterfalls are considered as the metaphor of “Oneness” in the world of spirtuality.  Their mind blowing appearance is a fantastic source of meditation and contemplation.

Following are the images of the famous and lovely waterfalls of the lovely planet;

1- Angel Falls in Venezuela : The world’s tallest at 979 metres (3,212 ft)

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's tallest at 979 metres (3,212 ft) Image: Benedict Adam

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's tallest at 979 metres (3,212 ft) Image: Benedict Adam

2- Takakkaw Falls of Canada : 384 metres (1,260 ft) high (  Yoho National Park )

Takakkaw Falls of Canada : 384 metres (1,260 ft) high ( Yoho National Park ) Glenn Gilbert's Image

Takakkaw Falls of Canada : 384 metres (1,260 ft) high ( Yoho National Park ) Glenn Gilbert's Image

3- Krimmler Wasserfälle of Austria : At 380 metres (1,250 ft) Austria’s second-tallest waterfall Salzburg

Krimmler Wasserfälle of Austria : At 380 metres (1,250 ft) Austria's second-tallest waterfall Salzburg.Image: thisisbossi

Krimmler Wasserfälle of Austria : At 380 metres (1,250 ft) Austria's second-tallest waterfall Salzburg.Image: thisisbossi

4- Utigardsfossen / Ramnefjellsfossen of Norway : The world’s third tallest at 808 metres (2,651 ft) in Norway

Utigardsfossen / Ramnefjellsfossen : The world's third tallest at 808 metres (2,651 ft) in Norway

Utigardsfossen / Ramnefjellsfossen : The world's third tallest at 808 metres (2,651 ft) in Norway

5- Yosemite Falls of the United States: At 739 metres (2,425 ft) Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls, the fourth tallest waterfall in North America at 739 metres (2,425 ft), is located in Yosemite National Park, United States. A Terry Chay Image

Yosemite Falls, the fourth tallest waterfall in North America at 739 metres (2,425 ft), is located in Yosemite National Park, United States. A Terry Chay Image

 6- Victoria Falls in Africa:  The largest waterfall in the world on the Zambezi river on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia

An ariel view of Victoria Falls

 7- James Bruce Falls of Canada: The tallest waterfall of North America at 840 metres (2,760 ft)

James Bruce Falls of Canada: The tallest waterfall of North America at 840 metres (2,760 ft) By: Nick DeWolf

 8- Niagara Falls of USA & Canada

An image of Niagara Falls by ALdowayan

An image of Niagara Falls by ALdowayan

 9- Nohkalikai Falls of India : India’s tallest plunge waterfall in Meghalaya state

Nohkalikai Falls : India's tallest plunge waterfall in Meghalaya state ( Image: Debabrata Deb )

Nohkalikai Falls : India's tallest plunge waterfall in Meghalaya state ( Image: Debabrata Deb )

10- Huangguoshu Waterfall of China : The largest waterfall in East Asia

Huangguoshu Waterfall of China : The largest waterfall in East Asia

11- Detian – Ban Gioc Falls between the Chinese and Vietnamese border

Detian - Ban Gioc Falls between the Chinese and Vietnamese border ( knees_n_elbows Image )

Detian - Ban Gioc Falls between the Chinese and Vietnamese border ( knees_n_elbows Image )

12- Shir-Abad Waterfall of Iran: Golestan Province, Iran.

Shir-Abad Waterfall is located near Khan Bebin in Golestan Province, Iran. ( Image © Ali Shokri )

Shir-Abad Waterfall is located near Khan Bebin in Golestan Province, Iran. ( Image © Ali Shokri )

13- Bambarakanda Falls of Sri Lanka: At 263 metres (863 ft)

Bambarakanda Falls of Sri Lanka: At 263 metres (863 ft) Gayan Chathuranga's Image

Bambarakanda Falls of Sri Lanka: At 263 metres (863 ft) Gayan Chathuranga's Image

 14- Silver Falls in Silverton, Oregon

Silver Falls in Silverton, Oregon ( Image by Jesse Estes )

 15- Jamgar Falls of Azad Jammu & Kashmir: Neelam Valley, Pakistan

Jamgar Falls of Azad Jammu & Kashmir: Neelam Valley, Pakistan ( Muhammad Zubair's Image )

Culture and Traditions of Zulu People

The largest ethnic groups of South Africa, Zulu who are actually descended from the Nguni tribes live in South African province KwaZulu-Natal. The word Zulu denotes ‘The people of Heaven’ and their population is approximately 11 million and some of their family members also live in some parts of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. They speak Zulu language which is the most widely spoken language in South Africa and it is one of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa.

Zulu Dance Tradition

Zulu Dance Tradition

The Zulu people contributed an eminent part in the South African culture and history especially in the 19th and 20th century. During apartheid which was the governing system of South Africa between 1948 and 1994, the Zulus suffered from great racial discrimination and segregation. It was an era in South Africa when minority rule of white people was dominating and all rights of the indigenous populations were usurped. However they continued their struggles for their rights and after the election of Nelson Mandela as president of post-apartheid South Africa in 1994, the reforms were made and Zulus are identified today as the most numerous ethnic group in South Africa, and now have equal rights along with all other citizens.

Zulu religion includes belief in a creator god (Nkulunkulu), who is above interacting in day-to-day human affairs. Although due to preaching by the Christian missionaries , the most Zulus have embraced Christianity  but still they have strong faith in ancestor spirits (Amatongo or Amadhlozi), who according to them have the full control in their lives. Politically Zulus are officially ruled by the South African government but their traditional way of obeying the commands of their leader is still carried on by them.  The traditional clothing of Zulus consists of tremendous varieties and they wear in festive occasions and in cultural ceremonies.  Zulu dress is animal skins for men and skirts decorated with hardwood beads for women.

The Zulu traditional dances are also a prominent feature of their identity. The important dances of Zulus are known as ‘Reed Dance’ which is performed by young maidens to attract their king who is looking for a wife. ‘Ingoma (isizingili)’ is a form of dance performed together by boys and girls with a song and no music. ‘Ingoma (ishishameni)’ a separate dance of boys and girls with clapping.

The most well known Zulu dance is ‘Indlamu’ which is actually associated with their war habits and cultures. It is a typical male dance and reflects the real colors of Zulu culture. They dress up themselves in their conventional attires and expose their traditional weapons. The dancers engage themselves in mock combat, expressing their strength and mastery of weapons.

On the whole all of the traditions of Zulu dances are closely related to their wedding rites, the succession of a new king, the choosing of a bride, and many other important religious and cultural events.