A lot of history and cultures are lost as the world progresses through modernisation and migration. However, all hope is not lost as certain cultures have found ways     1     (protect) their history through oral traditions, written     2     (account) and cultural practices handed down through generations, for example, Otjize, the magical red paste (膏) of the Himba people.

Found in present-day Northern Namibia, the Himba people are an African tribe (部落) with an     3     (estimate) population of 50,000 people. The Himba tribe is often referred to as     4     last nomadic (游牧的) people of Namibia. They count their wealth in the number of owned cattle.

Known for their red clay skin and hair, the Himba women     5     (picture) and described as a symbolic image of African tribes up to now. Otjize, the red beauty paste used by the Himba women, is     6     (responsibility) for their skins’ distinct red colour,     7     has earned them the name “Red People of Africa”.

Made from a mixture of things, Otjize lends the deep red color to their skins and is regarded     8     the ideal beauty standard for the Himba people. As a matter of fact, Otjize     9     (usual) holds great significance for the Himba people,     10     (stand) for the earth’s rich red colour, blood and nature of life.

A Chinese knot is a knot     1     is tied and woven from a single length of cord or rope to be various complexity. Each shape has its own meaning. Nowadays you can find them as decoration, gifts for special     2     (occasion) and adornments on clothes.

Most Knots are double layered and have two cords entering the knot from the top and two leaving from the bottom. Each kind of knot     3     (name) after its shape or the meaning that it carries.

Knot weavers can use a     4     (vary) of colors, but they usually weave deep red ones and the color red signifies good fortune

Chinese knots bold emotional value when     5     (give) as gifts or passed down through families. For example, in ancient times and even now, lovers may give a knot     6     a representation of their love. The ‘true love knot’ and the ‘double happiness knot’ are used at weddings     7     (express) mutual love and growing old together in fidelity(忠诚).

Knots are     8     means of fastening traditional garments instead of buttons or wooden pegs(挂钩). Now, silk is most     9     (wide) used to make these clothing knots and     10     are used as jewelry such as even rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Shaanxi kuaiban is a traditional Chinese form of storytelling in the Shaanxi dialect to the rhythm of bamboo clappers. In June, it     1     (recognize) as an intangible(非物质的) cultural heritage at the national level. It can be performed by a group or alone.

The art form can date back to the late Qing Dynasty. According to its performers, the art was     2     (origin) used by farmers to share their knowledge and earn money.     3     now, more people perform Shaanxi kuaiban on different occasions—for example, at a great many festival     4     (celebrate) , parties and art shows.

Yang Jinlong, 45, is an     5     (experience) Shaanxi Kuaiban artist. He first learned the art at the age of 9. Before that, he often went with his father, an amateur performer,     6     (watch) kuaiban performances.

“As a young boy, I was attached     7     the art form because many of the stories are about heroes. The performer tells stories while playing kuaiban, and it is easy for the audience to remember the stories since all the lines rhyme,” Yang said. Since 2003, he     8     (teach) the art form to young people.

“Art education is playing     9     important role in students in China. Just as many students learn to play Western musical instruments, there are many people     10     (learn) traditional Chinese folk arts, including Shaanxi kuaiban.” Yang said.

Recently, a short video went viral,     1     (show) a Chinese schoolgirl analyzing the Russia-Ukraine crisis with reference to Romance of the Three Kingdoms,     2     Chinese classic.

This video even attracted attention from the Philippine Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin Jnr. He was so impressed by it that he tweeted it and he     3     (report) to have even thought of sending his granddaughter     4     (study) in China after that.

Indeed, some Chinese ancient classics consist of Chinese     5     (wise) and philosophy which still have referential significance for contemporary society. For example, Teddy told the Global Times that     6     he took away from The Art of War are three lessons. The first is only to enter battles you know you can win     7     (complete), second is to do everything you can, and third is to plan secretly.

“This amazing book leaves me     8     (inspire). It gives me life lessons. I have learnt how to manage all things through this book,” he said.

According to analysts, these books share universal values.The core (核心) of     9     (they) is peace-loving, harmony and a win-win attitude which the Chinese nation attaches importance     10    . These values are in the DNA of Chinese people and people in other countries should learn from them.

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms.

The 24 solar terms     1    (determine) by changes in the sun’s position during the year. They were first used in China and now are followed in many other     2    (part) of the world. In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago     3     (guide) agricultural production. They also reflect China’s rich history through the seasonal festivals, special foods, cultural ceremonies, family gatherings and even healthy living tips     4     suit each solar term.

Rain Water this year     5    (start) on Feb 19 and ends on Mar 4. Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its     6     (arrive), lively spring-like scenery starts: the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.

Here are two things about Rain Water.

Water as precious as oil. According     7     an old Chinese saying, the rainfall in spring is as precious as oil. In northern China, the spring drought is common. Therefore, Rain Water is considered as a key period for     8    (water) crop when the day gets warmer and rainfall increases.

Nutritious porridge. The wet and damp weather during Rain Water period is harmful for people’s stomach.     9    , a bowl of nutritious porridge is the     10    (good) choice to the body.