Amazing Stories for Curious Minds

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Latest Stories by Natalia Cooke

Teru teru bozu

Teru Teru Bozu: The Little Ghost that Controls the Weather

Japan’s enigmatic teru teru bozu, weather-charming talismans, carry tales steeped in mystery and folklore. From gruesome monks to sacrificial young girls, these cherished dolls encapsulate a culture’s ancient weather-control hopes, continuing to dangle from windows, inviting sunshine into rainy days.


A tattooed Filipino warrior from the 19th-century.

Whang-Od: The Matriarch of Filipino Tribal Tattoo Artistry

At 106, Whang-Od Oggay, the last living Mambabatok in a remote Philippine village, maintains the dying art of Kalinga—traditional tribal tattooing. Her lifetime dedicated to inking triumphant warriors teeters on extinction, posing a poignant threat to this unique cultural heritage.


Costa Rica disbanded its army in 1949. It's one of the only countries in the world that forbids an army in its constitution. Costa Rica's approach has been adopted by six sovereign states in the Americas: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, and Panama.

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