Other countries, other customs

• presentation “Other countries, other customs” showing an igloo, a yurt, a manyatta (the Maasai house) and a minka (a traditional Japanese house)
• printed and cut out photos (attachment)

Explain to the children that they will discover the most interesting types of houses from all around the world. Show them the presentation or printed photos depicting four types of houses: an igloo, a yurt, a manyatta (the Maasai house) and a minka (a traditional Japanese house). Share with the children some interesting facts about each of the building types and tell them about the traditions and culture of people who inhabit these unique houses (all information on the people living in igloos, yurts, manyattas and minkas can be found in attachment). At the end, show them the map with marked areas inhabited by the Inuits, Mongols, the Maasai people and the Japanese.

After finishing the presentation, take the pictures from the attachment — printed and cut out — and place them upside down on a table or the floor. Ask the children to come one by one and draw one picture. Then, ask them to point to the right place on the map where these pictures belong to. If they remember the names of houses and their inhabitants — that’s great! If not, repeat the information from the presentation. Then, the children use magnets, glue or pins to attach the pictures to the map. You will find all information and answers to the following questions in the attachment.

Good luck! 🙂

• How are igloos’ inhabitants called?
• Who are the Inuits?
• What do Inuits do with animal skin?
• Is the word “Eskimo” offensive? What does the word “igloo” mean?
• Are there windows in an igloo?
• How can one make an igloo warm?
• Can you live in an igloo all year round?
• Who usually lived in an igloo?

• Who is a nomad?
• What is a yurt?
• How is a yurt built?
• What elements does it consist of?
• Is it allowed to stand at the yurt’s doorstep?
• Why can’t you walk straight through a yurt’s middle?
• What does a Mongolian hat look like?

• What does the word “minka” mean?
• Can you slurp while eating in a Japanese house?
• How should you arrange your shoes after entering a minka?
• Does it take long to build a minka?

• Who are the Maasai?
• Who builds houses in the Maasai culture? Women or men?
• What extraordinary material is used to build Maasai houses?