Tapping into tradition

Tapping into tradition

"I don't want this tradition to go away." 9/24/18 The Last Traditional Tattoo Artist in the Philippines Whang-Od is the last remaining mambabatok—a tattoo artist in the Philippines using traditional hand-tap methods. At 101 years old, she is the last master of the thousand-year-old trade that first began as a way to honor warriors in battle. Using a hammer and thorns, Whang-Od taps coal ink into skin. Today, she is training her grandniece to carry on her legacy, keeping the family mamababatok tradition alive. This Great Big Story was inspired by Genesis. How Sea Lions Are Inspiring the Future of Underwater Transport Don't be fooled by a sea lion's big, sweet eyes and playful demeanor—these guys move through water like a torpedo. While most animals swim using a tail or fluke, sea lions clap their fore flippers into their bodies to propel themselves to incredible speeds. It's an elegant, efficient movement that land-dweller Megan Leftwich, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at George Washington University, wants to reproduce in robotic form. This Great Big Story was made possible by Shell. Enter This 700-Year-Old Temple of Colors The heart-stopping, brightly colored Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in southern India wasn't built just to catch the eye. It is also one of the largest Hindu houses of worship. The complex is dedicated to the Hindu God of Ranganatha, a reclining form of the deity Vishnu. Explore this remarkable site that dates back nearly 700 years. View this email in your browser.  Copyright © 2018 Great Big Story, LLC, All rights reserved.You are receiving this message because you subscribed to the Great Big Story newsletter. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list