Human Relations Area Files

Celebrating the Vernal Equinox

Francine Barone The vernal equinox marks the beginning of Spring, representing the moment when the sun passes directly over the equator. This time of year is known for its many cultural and religious celebrations. For…

Luck of the Irish: Folklore and fairies in Rural Ireland

If the month of March has you seeing shamrocks, it might be a good time to brush up on your knowledge of Irish culture. The Rural Irish collection in eHRAF World Cultures is a great…

Featuring our current Melvin Ember Interns

We are pleased to feature the Q & A below with our current Melvin Ember Interns, Stefania Becerra Lavado and Isana Raja. HRAF has been fortunate to have them on our team since the summer…

Laissez les bon temps rouler: Mardi Gras and Cajun Traditions in eHRAF

Mardi Gras has become synonymous with the culture and lifestyle of New Orleans and southern Louisiana. “Fat Tuesday” or mardi gras in French, is the name given to the feast day that marks the onset…

Unconditional Love: Is devotion to pets a cultural universal?

If the number of cute animal memes on the internet is a fair benchmark, then the human love of pets is a powerful and global phenomenon. For many pet owners, their furry (or scaly) domestic…