The Saudi National Museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

I enjoyed the Saudi National Museum (المتحف الوطني السعودي) in Riyadh [1] so much that I walked the two-story circuit several times, each time focusing on a different aspect. I was particularly interested in rock inscriptions, the development of Arabic script, and early astronomy. I can only offer a brief overview of these topics here.

The Saudi National Museum in Riyadh is a cultural history museum and part of the King Abdulaziz History Centre. It was completed in 1999 after 26 months of construction. The museum's website [2] provides information about its architecture. The architect, Raymond Moriyama, was particularly inspired by traditional Najdi architecture and the contours of the red sand dunes. “At sunset, they radiate shades of red, gradually fading as night falls, thus reinforcing the spirit of Riyadh and evoking its beginning commemoration.”

The museum showcases local and geological history. Among the exhibits are the large fragment of the meteorite that created the Wabar Crater, the skeletons of Platybelodon and an ichthyosaur, works of art, dioramas, stelae, manuscripts, the history of Arabic script, ceramics, celestial globes, early astronomical instruments, and much more. The 14 pre-Islamic kingdoms are also represented. Visitors can learn and enjoy a symbiosis of exhibits and educational information.

For the celestial globes, the astrolabs and other instruments, there is an very good and therefore also long article on Wikipedia [3]. Especially the influences of mainly but not exclusively Indian or Persian astronomy would take too much space on a blog like mine; besides it would not have come out of my knowledge or research, though i had been interested in stronomy since childhood as i even considered once to study astronomy.

The inscription of Raqush bint Abd-Manat, dating from 267 AD, was discovered in northwestern Saudi Arabia near Madain Saleh [4]. The text contains elements of Arabic in a late form of the Nabataean script. Around 900 BCE, the Aramaic script developed from the Phoenician script, later the Nabataean script from the West Aramaic form, and then the Arabic script from two forms of the Nabataean script (a monumental script for inscriptions and a more cursive script for papyrus) [5]. Various forms developed from these early scripts, some for calligraphy, others for cursive writing, and still others for block capitals (Kufic). Arabic, like other Semitic languages, is mostly written without vocalizations, meaning that interpretation is required when reading. There are two exceptions: the Holy Qur'an and children's books. Before you laugh, there are understandable reasons for this. The Qur'an must not be open to interpretation, and children cannot yet know the correct form. As an example, let's take the city of Jeddah. When it's written (جدّة), even someone unfamiliar with the city can understand that it's pronounced with two Ds. However, if Jeddah is written without the diacritic mark, i.e., (جدة), then the city's name could also be pronounced Jedah. 

I went a little off the topic, but then I took another stroll through this beautiful museum. Of course, it's highly recommended!

Links and Annotations:
[1] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalmuseum_von_Saudi-Arabien and 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Saudi_Arabia 
[2] https://engage.moc.gov.sa/national_museum/about-museum/ 
[3] Astronomy in the medieval Islamic world
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomy_in_the_medieval_Islamic_world 
[4] https://en.majalla.com/node/294381/culture-social-affairs/saudi-discoveries-are-rewriting-history-arabic-script 
[5] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschichte_der_arabischen_Schrift and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Arabic_alphabet (contents not identical!)

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Trinity Historic Town in Newfoundland (Canada)

 

On the way to Trinity, I had seen a sign for a place called Lethbridge, the bridge over the Lethe River. And although the gloomy weather and a museum-like setting might easily lead one's thoughts to death, Trinity was a very lively place. Trinity is a place where old houses have been bought and converted into small museums, so that a large part of the town has become a museum. It's not a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it's probably close to something like this. Unfortunately, it started raining harder there, and of course, there was also the time constraint, but I looked at everything that these limitations allowed. Our map of the town, which marked the places to visit,was also interesting. They had copied it and included our entrance ticket on it. The employees at the individual sites only asked us if we belonged to the bus tour group, and then we didn't even need to show it.

The town of Trinity [1] is located on the Bonavista Peninsula and has 182 inhabitants (2021). Trinity was the capital of the salt fish trade in the late 1700s, and nowadays it retains the charm of its 19th-century buildings, which have been restored or rebuilt.

The Trinity Historical Society was founded in 1964; its mission is to boldly go where ... no, that's another story, to "preserve, present and promote the built and cultural heritage of Trinity and the surrounding area" [2].

Even though I like to digress, I have to limit myself and also be clear about what I'm not writing about. The Lester-Garland House (brick Georgian-style house, learning center and home of the archival collection of the Trinity Historical Society), Lester Garland Mercantile (last remaining mercantile building), and The Cooperage (transportation and storage of fish and other goods) unfortunately fall into this category, even though I visited them and found them interesting [3]. 
While I was looking for the last place on my itinerary, I also went to the churches; one is the Anglican church, which is by far the larger one with very beautiful windows and a large organ, as well as a significantly smaller Catholic church, which is entirely white and where the old Pope was still on display at the end of August 2025. Dear reader, I would like to report on these two churches some time later.

Green Family Forge
The Green family worked for over 200 years as blacksmiths in Trinity (1750s to 1955). The forge and a collection of tools, which were used by six generations of the family, were donated to the Trinity Historical Society [4]. The smithy, which can be visited, was built in the late 19th century. While back then they produced horseshoes, anchors and products for use at home, in fishing and farming, today they forge jewelry as well as coat hooks and racks, candle holders, fireplace pokers, and letter openers, which of course cn be bought there. It was interesting for me to watch the demonstrations taking place with two blacksmiths, since one of my grandfathers had trained as a blacksmith but never worked in that profession later in his life.

Hiscock House
Hiscock House stands as a reminder of the resilience of Emma Hiscock. The house was built in 1881 for Emma (née Pittman) and Richard Hiscock, who was a blacksmith, so a forge was part of the property. Richard drowned in 1893, and Emma was faced with the task of raising five children. She managed this through the garden and the shop that belonged to the house and now sells souvenirs. Previously, however, milk, eggs, vegetables, and herbs were sold to maintain the family [5].
I noticed that there was a bookshelf in one room containing many religious titles. The house is furnished to reflect the period around 1910, and I was told that the family was very religious and that when the house was sold to the Trinity Historical Society, the heirs donated the proceeds to the church and also, of course, donated many individual items that are now exhibits. 

It's certainly nicer without rain, but even with rain, the visit is worthwhile. Because of the spaciousness of the grounds, you almost have the feeling of having the museum exhibits all to yourself.

Links and Annotations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity,_Newfoundland_and_Labrador
[2] https://www.trinityhistoricalsociety.com/
[3] https://www.trinityhistoricalsociety.com/sites.html #2, #3 and #4
[4] https://www.trinityhistoricalsociety.com/sites.html #5
[5] https://nationaltrustcanada.ca/destinations/hiscock-house 

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Mongolia – Visiting the exhibition "Inspiration from Heaven" at the "The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum" in Ulaanbaatar

 

When I entered The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum (Занабазарын нэрэмжит Дүрслэх урлагийн музей) in Ulaanbaatar [1], I felt a strange reminder of my own past as there has also been an additional exhibition. So this blogpost is on this additional exhibition and not on The Fine Arts Zanabazar Museum proper, which is a topic of its own.

The exhibition was named Inspiration from Heaven and could be seen from August, the 18th until August 24th 2022. The name is suggestive to some esoterical background. One could see ethereal ladies dressed in long robes of pink or turquoise floating through the exhibition. Exhibited were objects, paitings, and books by The Supreme Master Ching Hai (清海無上師) [2]. Ching Hai (born Trịnh Đăng Huệ) comes from Vietnam, but her base has been Taiwan, which she calls Formosa [3]. Her movement is banned in the People's Republic of China, of course. The number of followers is estimated at 2 millions worldwide.

I have received the booklet in Chinese about 30 years ago, when I visited a Chinese friend in Taiwan and she thought I should have it. I still have it and in principle the English booklet covers the old Chinese version and added a little more.

The Supreme Master Ching Hai's Quan Yin Method (meditation on Inner Light and Inner Sound) is said to have originated in the Himalayas. There are some aspects of Christianity, but the true origin had been Buddhism, though she has severed ties to traditional buddhism. Still she adheres to the five precepts, which reads like this:

"1. Refrain from taking the life of sentient beings. This precept requires strict adherence to a vegan diet. No meat, fish, poultry or eggs (fertilized or nonfertilized).

2. Refrain from speaking what is not true.

3. Refrain from taking what is not yours.

4. Refrain from sexual misconduct.

5. Refrain from using intoxicants. This includes avoiding all poisons of any kind, such as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gambling, pornography, and excessively violent films or literature."

All in all you may find parts stemming from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, and maybe even more, and one could call it a synthesized religious movement with a charismatic leader.

Wikipedia: "Her home page calls her "Supreme Master Ching Hai, a renowned humanitarian, artist, and spiritual leader" (lingxiu daoshi 領袖道士)." Would I have visited the art, which has been presented? Definitely no. I went there lured by the esoterical appearance of the exhibition. It's nice for a couple of moments, but then it's nicer to just walk away.

But I may look out for the development of this movement in Mongolia during my next visit.

Links and Annotations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_Arts_Zanabazar_Museum  
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ching_Hai  
[3] I recall that Taiwan used to be known as Formosa (beautiful island) in Germany during my chuldhood. One could argue against this name nowadays as it isn't the name used for the island by the Republic of China and that the name is clouded by the fact that it is of colonial origin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Formosa

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At Gyab Thago Heritage Home in Ladakh

 

 

The Gyab Thago Heritage Home [1] is quite near to Leh, about 16 km; it's in the village of Stok, so a visit to the üalace might be accompanied by a visit of this farmers museum. I visited the museum, which is the old house of the family, about 200 years old. The walls inside are black from smoke and on gets a feeling, what life must have been in Ladakh during past times. The family lives in a new house, where they also manage their homestay. Outside there's still agriculture. They also serve traditional butter tea.

 

At the entrance of Ladakh homes you often find 

three stupas in the colors yellow, white and blue.  

Yellow stands for wisdom (Manjushri), 

white for compassion (Avalokiteshvara) 

and blue symbolizes power and energy (Vajrapani). 

 

 

The kitchen with the stove in the middle, where the family would gather during the harsh winters.

 

 

The family also had old blockprints to read

sutras for good fortune.

 

 

The liong upright containers are for churning butter 

and for preparing butter tea. 

 

 

Details of bowls and plates

 

 

The landlord, who showed us around in the museum 

and explained the exhibits.

 

 

Old fabrics, dresses, carpets

 

 

A traditional loom

 

 

In the new home

 

 

A bowl of butter tea [2]

The landlady, who entertained us with butter tea 

and chang, the traditional beer.

 

 

The family's backyard

Links and References:

[1] https://www.facebook.com/Gyapthagoheritagehome/photos/-gyab-thago-heritage-home-basic-information-a-200-years-old-building-belongs-to-/492827454259089/ and https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/stok/attractions/gyab-thago-heritage-house/a/poi-sig/1545518/1335894
[2] https://rheumatologe.blogspot.com/2018/09/yak-butter-tea.html

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