In almost every culture, there exist myths regarding floods. In China, the story of Yu the Great has been told for centuries and has inspired generations of Chinese people to better manage water and find ways to coexist with Mother Nature. Check out this episode of A Thousand Whys and get a feel for how one flood myth has been teaching Chinese people to keep ... Show More
Jan 2025
China’s evolving serpent legacy: Ferocious treasures, from rituals to households
Why has the snake, often feared, been revered in Chinese culture and become one of the 12 zodiac animals? How is it portrayed in artifacts, and what does it symbolize in China compared to other cultures? In this episode, we explore the serpent's evolving meanings in Chinese civil ... Show More
16m 21s
Jan 2025
A ceramic vessel of culture, wine, and poetic spirit
Like the finest wines, the best inspiration for poetry is brewed and vivified, if served in the right vessel. In this episode, we present a phoenix-headed tricolor ceramic wine vessel from the Tang Dynasty, some 1200 years ago. In what ways did it influence the development of Chi ... Show More
13m 53s
Jun 2025
[BEST OF] The History of Modern China
From the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, to the Chinese Revolution and Civil War, through the Long March and the rise of Mao Zedong, to the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, all the way to Deng's Reform and China today, Professor of East Asian and Global History Dr. Ken H ... Show More
7 h
Jan 2024
Season 3, Episode 3: Jessica Rawson, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China
Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Jessica Rawson, one of the world’s most eminent scholars of China, as they discuss Rawson’s book, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China. Listen in to learn about the roots of Chinese civilization through the stories of twelve grand tombs, each helpi ... Show More
44m 21s
Oct 24
How satellites are supporting farmers across Africa | Catherine Nakalembe
<p>More than 8,000 satellites orbit Earth, taking photos every day. Food security specialist and TED Fellow Catherine Nakalembe shows how she uses this imagery to help smallholder farmers across Africa prepare for floods, droughts and crop failures. Learn why real innovation isn’ ... Show More
33m 38s
Oct 2024
Morality and rules, and how to avoid drowning: what my daughters learned at school in China
Our twins spent two years at primary school in Chengdu. Their lessons featured alarming cautionary tales and stories of Chinese superiority, but there was fun and irreverence, too. By Peter Hessler. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
34m 10s
Aug 8
Floods, mangroves and rampaging tractors
This week, floods have hit the global headlines. First up, we delve into the various reasons why floods form. After learning about the causes of floods, we discover a nature-based solution in the form of mangrove forests. Laura Michie from the Mangrove Action Project tells us why ... Show More
49m 30s