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America is home to hundreds of diverse Indigenous nations. When colonization began in the Age of Exploration, these groups were suppressed, relocated, and endured genocidal actions at the hands of governments and settlers. Though Indigenous populations suffered under these measures, and assimilation forced its hand, Americas native peoples held onto their sacred traditions as time marched on. Even today, in the 21st century, Indigenous ways of life that date back hundreds of years are curated and preserved for future generations.1. Taos Pueblo: Continuously Inhabited for Over 1,000 YearsTaos Pueblo, New Mexico. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIndigenous people have inhabited the Taos Valley in New Mexico for about a thousand years. A pueblo, or village, was built there most likely between 1000 and 1400 AD. The structures making up the pueblo were built from adobe, a mixture of soil, water, and straw that was sun-dried into bricks or poured into forms. Parts of these original structures still exist in Taos Pueblo and are considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited places in the United States.An Ansel Adams shot of a church in Taos Pueblo in 1942. Source: National Archives/Wikimedia CommonsFrom a distance, the pueblo appears to be one large structure, but it is actually numerous individual homes built side by side and in levels, sharing common walls. Originally, the only way into these buildings was via the roof, but doors and windows have been added in subsequent years. Today, about 150 people live within Taos Pueblo full-time, and are members of the Taos tribe, which in total numbers about 1,900 people on tribal lands. Other people keep seasonal homes or have built modern homes nearby in the valley. The villages operations are overseen by a Tribal Council, made up of about 50 male elders. This group appoints a tribal governor and war chief annually. The governor and his accompanying staff deal not only with issues within the pueblo and tribal lands, but with non-Native relations.A placard welcomes visitors to Taos Pueblo. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe pueblo is largely supported by the tourist trade, with over 1.7 million day visits reported in 2022. This allows for around 3,000 jobs to be supported by tourism in Taos County. In addition to viewing the ancient buildings themselves, visitors are drawn to crafts made by traditional artisans, including pottery and silverwork such as jewelry. Traditional dances such as the Turtle Dance, celebrating the New Year, and other events are open to spectators.2. A Traditional Village in North CarolinaA woman weaving a basket at Oconaluftee Village, around 1963. Source: National Archives and Records Administration/Wikimedia CommonsIn the heart of North Carolinas Smoky Mountain region lies a living history museum offering the public a look at life within an 18th-century Cherokee Village. Though the employees of Oconaluftee Indian Village do not live as their ancestors did 24/7, their demonstrations of traditional practices have become an important part of their daily lives. Real-life performances of dancing, music, and more connect visitors with history in an engaging way. Artisans utilize historic practices not only to engage with visitors but also to preserve their cultural heritage. In addition, employees wear traditional dress daily.The Village opened to the public in 1952, and though it is a re-created replica of a village, it incorporates numerous traditional aspects and speaks to accuracy in its re-imagined homes, ceremonial areas, and council house.3. Traditions Persist on Pine RidgeDrying meat on Pine Ridge in 1908. Source: Library of Congress/Wikimedia CommonsThe Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Oglala Lakota and is a place where rich history meets modern challenges. The site of the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation, Pine Ridge has a legacy of political strife that has contributed to todays hurdles. Those living on the reservation face an unemployment rate of over 80%, a lack of educational funding, and poor healthcare access. Despite these obstacles, the citizens of Pine Ridge remain dedicated to many of their peoples traditions. Forms of expression such as beadwork, painting, quilting, and sculpture continue to thrive. Ceremonies are essential to the Oglala culture, including naming ceremonies, sweat lodge practices, and the Sun Dance.A Lakota mans depiction of the Sun Dance, 1918. Source: Smithsonian Institution/Wikimedia CommonsLargely considered the most important traditional ceremony of the Lakota people, along with several other Plains tribes, the Sun Dance is a time of great renewal. A trimmed and decorated cottonwood tree serves as the central pole, and dancers begin dancing around it at sunrise. Before dancing, their bodies are purified through a special ceremony called Inipi. Traditionally, lengths of rawhide were attached to the central pole and pierced into the chest of the dancers, attaching them to the pole. Dancing would continue, with the dancers hoping to eventually release themselves through the tearing of their flesh in a practice of self-sacrifice and cleansing. Singing, praying, and chanting may take place at various points during the ceremony.4. Gathering Sweetgrass in MaineBaskets made from sweetgrass. Source: Flickr/Wikimedia CommonsCurrently, four Indigenous tribes inhabit the state of Maine: the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot. Collectively, these tribes are known as the Wabanaki, which means People of the Dawnland. Among the traditions of the Wabanaki is the practice of gathering sweetgrass, often used in basketmaking. It also has its place in ceremony and traditional medicine. Sweetgrass is a perennial native grass, earning its name from its sweet aroma. However, beginning in the early 20th century, Indigenous peoples were prohibited from harvesting sweetgrass within Acadia National Park.Sunset over Acadia National Park. Source: Flickr/Wikimedia CommonsAcadia is one of the most visited parks in the National Park System, with around 4 million visitors a year. It covers approximately 50,000 acres along the Maine coast. It includes mountains, forests, marshes, and beaches, with habitats that support sweetgrass. In 2015, the National Park Service announced new regulations that would allow for the gathering of certain plants and their parts by federally recognized Indigenous tribes within national parks. This wasnt a blanket law, still requiring agreements and other steps before gathering could occur, most notably an environmental assessment to determine that gathering for traditional use would have no significant impact on the resources within the park.A stand of sweetgrass. Source: Flickr/Wikimedia CommonsIn a show of cooperation, park officials worked with Wabanaki representatives and scientists to study the potential effects of sweetgrass gathering, and in 2024, released a statement announcing a Finding of No Significant Impact for the collection of sweetgrass for traditional purposes. This allowed the federally recognized tribes of Maine to move forward in entering agreements with the National Park Service for traditional sweetgrass harvesting. Though it is not anticipated that traditional plant gathering will impact the ecology of Acadia, the situation will continue to be studied and monitored.5. The Indian Shaker Church Combines CulturesThe first Indian Shaker Church, circa 1892. Source: US Government Printing Office/Wikimedia CommonsThough not traditional by some standards, the Indian Shaker Church, centered in the Northwestern United States and Canada, combines Christianity with Coast Salish spirituality. Founded in 1882 near Shelton, Washington, the religion remains active today.The religion was founded by John and Mary Slocum and emphasizes a belief in Jesus, along with healing rituals and gestures. Slocum was called to spread his religious beliefs after a near-death experience during which he reported God spoke to him. Congregants are encouraged to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and gambling. Though considered a Christian sect, non-Indigenous people are generally not invited to participate in the Indian Shaker Church.An Indian Shaker church on the Tulalip reservation in Washington. The church was built in 1924. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe church has faced criticism and discrimination on multiple fronts throughout its existence. Bans against Indigenous religions were common in the late 19th and early 20th century in both the United States and Canada, punishable by arrest. On the other hand, some of those practicing more long-standing Indigenous religious traditions looked upon the Shaker Churchs association with Christianity with suspicion. It is unknown how many practicing Indian Shakers exist today, but this uniquely hybrid religion remains alive and well, with numerous physical church locations throughout the Pacific Northwest and western Canada.Photo of a dancer from the National Powwow in 2005. Source: Smithsonian Institution/Wikimedia CommonsDespite hundreds of years of existence, certain Indigenous cultural traditions are just as alive today as they were generations ago. Tribal members have persisted in preserving these ways of life through numerous challenges and attempts to stop them. Still, Indigenous people throughout America have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that their sacred heritage survives to be taught to future generations. Cultural customs rely on this dedication to memory to persevere and thrive.

Fragment of a Chinese scroll depicting Ming infantrymen. Source: Wikimedia CommonsFew aspects of Chinese imperial history hit as hard or as uncomfortably as the level of corruption in the early dynasties. For over two thousand years of dynastic rule gave rise to brilliant administrators and tyrants alike, yet buried within those centuries was a rot so deep that it would forever change how historians looked at power and its abuse in the empires. So, which Chinese empire had the most corruption?Corrupt Chinese DynastiesMing territory in 1415. Source: WikipediaThe rise of corruption in ancient China is often linked to the Confucian idea of rule by moral example (renzhi). But renzhi itself was meant to fight corruption through good character instead of set rules. Yet in real life, that moral framework turned into favouritism and became a cover for the pursuit of more wealth to the detriment of the commoners. Experts note that corruption grew exponentially during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Pay for government officials in the Ming dynasty was, for example, terribly low and this, many believe, directly encouraged widespread corruption. Deep institutional decay also hit massive proportions under the Qing dynasty which is believed to have been worse. Pundits frequently point to the vice as the main trigger for 19th-century uprisings, as well as the main reason behind the rise of many secret societies and certain martial-arts groups that were against the state.Corruption in the Qing DynastyHeshen, Chief Grand Councillor in the Qing Dynasty. Source: WikipediaFocusing on the Qing dynasty, it existed as a Manchu-led imperial dynasty from 1636 to 1912 and served as the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history. Qianlong Emperors reign (from 1735 to 1796) marked the apex of the dynasty. Qianlongs final years, however, brought internal revolts, economic disruption, official corruption, and many other governance problems. It was in that environment that the single most infamous corrupt figure in Chinese history rose to power. Heshen, a Manchu from the Niohuru clan, enjoyed special favor with the Qianlong Emperor and served as a high Qing official.Historical accounts portray him as possibly the most corrupt bureaucrat to ever exist in China. Some historical accounts claim that he amassed roughly 1.1 billion taels of silver, an enormous fortune that some scholars equate to hundreds of billions of dollars adjusted to current inflation rates. This was roughly fifteen years of Qing imperial revenue. Bribery became blatant under him while extortion grew on a massive scale. Associates in the imperial system copied his methods while military commanders deliberately prolonged campaigns just to plunder.How Heshen Maintained PowerPrince Gongs Mansion originally built by Heshen. Source: WikipediaHeshen grabbed multiple key roles in the Chinese government, including Grand Councilor, to accumulate power and routinely diverted public funds for personal use. Illegal extra fees during those years inflicted heavy hardship on ordinary people. Yellow River floods also worsened their misery as corrupt officials pocketed money meant for maintaining dikes and canals. Soaring rice and other grain prices also left huge populations hungry and caused many people to starve to death. During this time, extra income from corruption for officials reportedly reached fourteen to twenty-two times their legitimate salary. Despite the next administration attempting reforms by massively increasing official pay, the problem returned, years later.Why Was the Qing Dynasty the Most Affected by Corruption?Imperial examination candidates gathering around the wall where results were posted, an announcement known as releasing the roll (; fngbng) by Qiu Ying (c.1540). Source: WikipediaThe Qing dynastys corruption situation was worsened by ethnic factors. At the time, tensions existed between the ruling Manchu minority and the Han Chinese majority, with the Manchus keeping special privileges and requiring markers of submission, most notably the mandatory queue hairstyle. Harm from personal favoritism under an old emperor also caused serious damage. In his later years, the Qianlong Emperor trusted corrupt officials such as Heshen, who as the highest-ranked minister managed the daily governance of the dynasty.Qianlong Emperor portrait. Source: WikipediaThe emperor, at the time, spent time on arts and literature. The neglect exacerbated corruption levels in the dynasty. The Qing dynastys office purchase system, called juanna, also worsened corruption by enabling people to pay government officials to get jobs. It allowed people to skip the tough, competitive exam system completely destroying the concept of merit-based selection. Kangxi Emperor, for example, sold titles to help finance his war against the Three Feudatories rebellion. The practice gave government officials a steady flow of money. Many of those who got their positions this way often turned to corruption to make back some of the money that they had spent, and usually much more.

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The Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition is a celebration of where it all started for Razer. It takes the company's first gaming mouse design and, 20 years on, packs it with the latest cutting-edge tech to create what should be an ultra-desirable collectors' edition. However, Razer then put a price on it. Never one to shy away from an aspirational price, Razer has gone all out with the Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition. Despite not being built from solid gold, it costs an eye-watering $1,337. Or should I say cost, as all 1,337 of these limited edition mice are already sold out. Nonetheless, having tracked it down at Razer's booth at Dreamhack UK - where the $1m ESL One Dota 2 tournament is taking place - I had to give this truly bonkers new mouse a try.

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