India

INDIA

* introduction
India is the historical name for the part of Asia that stretches from the south-east corner of Iran too the south-west province of China. It’s area is over the 3 265 000 (3 million 265 thousand ) km² that is very big knowing that the area of Belgium is not more then 30 500 km². The population isn’t less, there are almost 563 500 000 Indies and Belgium not even 10 million people. The capital city of India is New Delhi, the official language Hindi and the valuate is the Indian rupee.

* castes
Some more about that population, they are separated in a caste system or social classes. As highest caste they have the clergy, they are called the ‘Brahmanen’. The second one is the caste of the ‘Ksatriyas’, in this caste we find soldiers and administrators. This is also the caste were the trough power is situated. The merchants are the next caste and the carry the name of being a ‘Vaisya’. In the caste that follows we will found the big mass of Indies, the farmers how are called the ‘Sudras’. For the last caste the ‘Parias’ it’s not ‘last but not least’ because these people are considered to be impure and have to tidy up the dirty works like sewer cleaning and the burning of dead bodies.
When people are born in a specific caste, they stay into that caste for all there life. It’s not possible to clime up or to make career. They also can’t marry someone from another caste.

* religions
For the Indian people, it doesn’t matter from witch caste they are, the Gods are very important and there are 7 different religions. The first one and the most important is Hinduism, the second religion is Islam. Next is the Christianity, the fourth religion is Sikhs, followed by Buddhism. The 2 last and radar small religions are Jainism and Parsism.

* kathakali
One of the most beloved Indian regional tradition is translated as the big dance drama Kathakali It’s development to what it is now, comes from the 16th and 17th century in the south-west part state Kerala. The Kathakali-pieces are based on hero myths and legends and are interlarded with gods, demons, warriors, wise men, scamps and royal ladies. To master the classic dance moves and the composed gestures of the Kathakali, boys from the age of 12 up to 20 get an education of 6 years.
In the State academic of Arts in Kerala they teach the students the spread stand witch is very characteristic for the kathakali-dances. The weight rests on the outside of the curved feed. The teacher gives remarks from out of his chair.
Before the young kathakli-actors go on stage, there faces are coloured green, that is the colour of the heroes. On his cheeks he carries white plates, these are made of paper and starch.
The hero of the kathakali-show wears a high crown and in his play he is accompanied by a drummer. There are 24 positions of the hands that, in different combinations, give the actor a vocabulary of more then 600 words. With eye-movements the meaning of the gestures are accentuated.

* food and drinks
An Indian meal is served at one big plate with lots of smaller plates on it. The food is very spicy and that is why the eat rise and roti too lighten the taste. That specific roti is some kind of bread that they also use to bring food to there mouth. To break the roti or chapatti they use there hands. To eat they only use the right one because eating with the left hand is impolite and insulting. Elaichi chai is a favourite drink for in the afternoon, we would place it under very hot and spicy thee. Indian people are also found of sherbets, that are sweet drinks in different tastes. In the morning they prefer to drink a lassi, what we call a yoghurt-shake. 

* closing
Making the comparison between Belgium and India results in the conclusion that both countries belong to a hole different culture (west and east). Being in India means dealing with the daily life chaos but also expire the peace and rest of the religions