Chris Infotainment

A Legacy of Light and Tradition One of the city's most prolific festive light designers recalls his career spent illuminating the Hong Kong skyline. It was December 1990, and he was four years old. Hong Kong then got much colder than it does today, but standing to his mother's right as they took in the Christmas lights, his younger brother to her left, the cold seemed to melt away. Wide-eyed and clutching his mother's hand, he gazed upon the illuminated towers and parapets of a snow-white castle. Angels perched on the battlements, haloes aglow. Fairy lights festooned the winter scene on the waterfront by Harbour City, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong's ascent was written in Christmas lights. Mirroring the emergence of a booming economy and a burgeoning middle class, the annual citywide illuminations have marked a tradition for many families in the former British colony since the 1950s. Our own family's ritual had begun in the 60s, when my mother, Clara Chung Lo-ling, w...

The Tradition of Dukhan: A Cultural Beauty Ritual in Sudan and Beyond Dukhan, also known as the smoke bath, is one of the oldest and most unique beauty and health rituals practiced in Sudan. This traditional practice involves exposing the body to scented smoke from burning wood, often used for enhancing beauty, promoting relaxation, and improving physical well-being. In northern Sudanese culture, Dukhan is particularly popular among married women and soon-to-be brides. It is considered an integral part of the marriage process, believed to beautify the skin, make the body firmer, and leave a lasting fragrance on the bride’s skin. While some men also use it to relieve body pains, especially joint pain, the practice is predominantly associated with women. In many parts of the country, especially in the north, Dukhan has become a cultural staple, passed down through generations. In certain regions, it is even believed to help treat sexually transmitted infections like syphilis and gonor...

A Legacy of Culture and Education Omolewa Sorinola, daughter of the late Chief Oludare Soneye, shares her story with Bankole Taiwo about Atunfase Traditional School in Ikenne, a unique institution that preserves Yoruba culture while delivering modern education. Background and Personal Insights Omolewa Sorinola, née Soneye, is the firstborn and first daughter of Mr. Oludare Ifashina Soneye, the founder of Atunfase Traditional School in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State. She is 36 years old, married with children, and holds a degree in Mass Communication from Lagos State University. Although she was trained as a journalist, she chose to pursue a career in business and became an entrepreneur. She describes her relationship with her father as very close. He loved all his children and shared a strong bond with them. Her father’s vision for the school stemmed from a specific incident in 2019 when a young boy fell ill and required wearing an ode Ifa , a traditional bracelet. The school he attended ...