The Village Where Every Person’s Name Is...

Here at Atlas Obscura, we’re big on collections. From rare jerseys to popular ‘90s plush toys, our staff shares the things we collect – and what they mean to us. Plus: We want to hear about YOUR collections. What do you collect, and what does the collection mean to you? Or, maybe ... Show More

A backpacker on the Inca Trail encounters a fellow hiker who is inexplicably carrying two bags. This essay was written by Maggie Downs and edited by Aube Rey Lescure, and originally appeared in Off Assignment. Plus: Off Assignment is offering a travel writing course, called Rethi ... Show More

The story of a woman who, in her 70s, inspired some of the biggest labor uprisings in American history. 

"God only knows what I'd be without you"For artist Kim Lynch God Only Knows is a song that she has carried with her from the moment her father played it to her mother back in their 1960's London home and it's the song that resonated throughout her parents 65 years together. Meanw ... Show More

What is the story of your name? In this poem, the poet calls on place, ancestors, and history to bear witness to the dignity of their name. They recall how their ancestors “acknowledged my roots grew in two / places” and how their name “is the definition of resilience.” With Blac ... Show More

The Village People were a smash hit singing group that came and went in under two years. Then other people performed under that name for several decades. This is their story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Compositeur et oudiste franco-arménien, Tigrane Kazazian s’appuie sur la musique traditionnelle arabe pour la transcender et proposer des paysages sonores innovants. Son dernier album en est un parfait exemple avec des morceaux qui évoquent aussi bien la marche dans le désert à l ... Show More

Gnawa music is a Moroccan spiritual musical tradition developed by descendants of enslaved people from Sub-Saharan Africa. It combines ritual poetry with traditional music and dance, and is traditionally only performed by men. But one female Moroccan artist, Asmâa Hamzaoui, has b ... Show More

Sokou !, un album qui réunit le violon du Français Clément Janinet et le sokou du Malien Adama Sidibé, vient de paraître. Au croisement des musiques peules d'Afrique de l'Ouest et des musiques répétitives occidentales, les deux musiciens marient leurs instruments avec inventivité ... Show More

Music from the rising stars of Africa, including wordsmiths M.Anifest from Ghana and Tumi from South Africa, whose conscious rap uses lyrics to challenge and delight. Also featuring Aziza Brahim from western Sahara, Songhai Blues from Mali, Lala Njava from Madagascar, Nigerian po ... Show More

Oliver Mtukudzi was loved by people all over the world for his unique melodies – and by Zimbabweans for the messages of hope contained in his lyrics. There was a huge outpouring of grief when he died on 23 January 2019. His songs spoke out against women who were thrown out of hom ... Show More