Humanities History

From temporary pits drawn in sand to finely crafted wooden boards, pallanguzhi has been played across South India for generations. Associated especially with women’s leisure and festival gatherings, the game reflects traditions of strategy, arithmetic, and social exchange, alongside possible links to older mancala traditions circulating across the Indian Ocean trade routes.

A study published in Scientific Reports looked into how the Great Pyramid of Khufu in the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt withstood earthquakes without sustaining serious damage over the approximately 4,600 years since it was built,

To mark the forthcoming 60th anniversary in 2027 of Lingnan University’s re-establishment in Hong Kong and the 140th anniversary in 2028 of its founding in Guangzhou, the University has officially established the new Lingnan University History Exhibition Hall on its Tuen Mun campus, and held the Opening cum Lingnan Education Organization Ambassadors Appointment Ceremony. The Exhibition Hall presents, through valuable archival materials and exhibits, the University’s development over a century, tracing its origins to its Guangzhou-based predecessor, the Christian College in China, founded in 1888 during the late Qing period. The exhibition offers students, alumni, and members of the public a profound understanding of Lingnan’s historical roots and educational ethos.

Sculpted from a granite rock face in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, the Avukana Buddha is an early example of colossal Buddha imagery in Sri Lanka. Its form and detailing suggest connections with sculptural traditions from Amaravati and the Gupta period, while its execution reflects regional adaptation. Discover how the sculpture and its associated finds have been linked to the doctrine of Lokottara or transcendence, later adopted by Mahayana Buddhism.

Rather than simply recounting history as a linear narrative through lectures or displays, this experience lets players immerse themselves in a more nuanced, simulated past.

The grand final of the 15th Miss China Pageant was recently held on 28 February in Putian, Fujian Province. Representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lingnan University Year Four Human Resource Management student Henna Liu Yeuk-tung competed against more than 30 top finalists who had advanced to the national stage. Demonstrating the cultural literacy, confidence, and talent of Hong Kong youth, she achieved an impressive fourth-place finish, bringing pride to Hong Kong.

From nomadic looms to global collectors, Afghan war rugs chart the region’s turbulent history through an age-old weaving tradition. Incorporating weapons, maps, and political imagery into familiar motifs, these rugs reflect shifting political realities, the ingenuity of Baloch weavers, and the influence of a rapidly commercialised market.

From Jesuit apothecaries in Goa to royal treasuries in Europe, Goa stones were sought-after remedies and status objects in the seventeenth century. Discover how these artificial bezoars were made, traded, and treasured across continents.

The Horizon Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (JHSSR) proudly announces the release of its Special ASAIHL Edition – Volume 7(S), August 2025, themed “University’s Role in Advancing Climate Crisis Reduction.” This commemorative edition captures the pioneering spirit of Southeast Asian academia in addressing one of the 21st century’s most urgent global challenges—climate change. Curated from the prestigious 2024 ASAIHL Conference, hosted by Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia (Nov 19–22, 2024), this issue brings together a diverse body of scholarly contributions from researchers, policymakers, and educators across ASEAN and beyond. It marks a significant milestone in the academic community’s mission to inspire sustainable education, ethical leadership, and climate-responsive innovation.

Moved by how Hiroshima’s memorials transformed unspeakable loss into a global call for peace, a Hiroshima University historian turns his gaze to Southeast Asia—unpacking what stories their war monuments enshrine, what they leave out, and what that means for peace and justice, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing this year.

Organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) of the HKSAR Government and co-organised by the Hong Kong and South China Historical Research Programme of Lingnan University, the Mainland Study Tour and Training Programme of the “Wisdom of History, Legacy of Knowledge: Professional Development Programme for Junior Secondary Chinese History for non-History Major Teachers” was officially launched today (5 June) at the EDB Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre. The launch ceremony, entitled “Exploring Guangzhou: Chinese History Teachers Study Tour – Launch Ceremony and Briefing Session”, announced the launch of the inaugural study tour on 13–14 June, with 80 local secondary school teachers participating. The event was officiated by Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education, and featured a keynote lecture by Prof Ma Min, Director of the Institute of Modern Chinese History of Central China Normal University. Prof Ma shared insights with participating teachers on how to promote patriotic education through Chinese history.

Organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) of the HKSAR Government, with the support from the Hong Kong and South China Historical Research Programme (HKSCHRP) of Lingnan University, the 2024/25 Territory-wide Junior Secondary Chinese History and Culture Quiz Final and Prize Presentation Ceremony was held at the Chan Tak Tai Auditorium of Lingnan University today, 17 May. The 12 finalist teams were selected from over 22,000 students from more than 145 secondary schools across Hong Kong. The number of participants has increased by 38% over the 16,000 who took part in last year's inaugural event, which highlights the competition’s success in stimulating interest in Chinese history and culture in young people as well as the Government's achievement in promoting patriotic education.

Non-Muslim communities were recognized, given authority as way to monitor themselves amid Ottoman suspicions in wake of Greek revolt

Tsuyoshi Watanabe uses corals to understand the environment of the past and what it can tell us about people living then.

Japanese language learning brought prosperity and persecution for women in Korea

The finals of the 2023/24 Territory-wide Junior Secondary Chinese History and Culture Quiz, organised by the Hong Kong Government Education Bureau (EDB) and co-organised by the Hong Kong and South China Historical Research Programme (HKSCHRP) of Lingnan University, were held on campus today (18 May). Officiating guests were Ms Teresa Chan Mo-ngan, Deputy Secretary of the EDB,and Prof Lau Chi-pang, Associate Vice-President (Academic Affairs and External Relations) and Co-ordinator of the HKSCHRP. ProfVincent Leung Sueh-han, Head and Associate Professor of the Department of History at Lingnan University, Prof Tam Ka-chai, Associate Professor of the Department of History at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Dr Fan Wing-chung, Senior Lecturer of HKBU, and Dr Law Yuen-han, Lecturer I at the Department of History at HKBU, judged the competition.

Watching and waiting with minimal intervention forms educational philosophy guided by balance

Lingnan University is honoured to receive a generous donation of HK$3.88 million from the Lingnan Education Organization (LEO) to support the commencement of the two-year LingArt Programme on the Promotion & Inheritance of Chinese Culture (LingArt Programme). It aims to promote Chinese culture and show its grandeur and uniqueness through a series of cultural and artistic activities, so as to foster a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse heritage of China in both local and international students, as well as to nurture a sense of national belonging in local students.

To strengthen connections with alumni and showcase the university's rich history and accomplishments, Lingnan University in Hong Kong has initiated a series of alumni interview activities. The first session, led by Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, featured a conversation with distinguished alumnus and renowned economist Prof Gregory Chow Chi-chong in the US.

Lingnan University's Alumni Relations Team of Office of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs (OIAPA) has organised its first-ever month-long themed café at the Jao Tsung-I Academy (JTIA) in Lai Chi Kok from 24 August till 23 September. With the aim of “Sharing Lingnan History with the community”, the “Lingnanian pop-up café” features unique characteristics of Lingnan's culture, heritage, and development milestones, along with “Red Grey Special Menu” and “Reading Corner” with historical publications. This initiative aims to enable the public to gain insights into the university’s storied history and remarkable achievements while fostering connections among alumni and Lingnanians, inviting everyone to savor the Lingnan legacy while enjoying the aroma of coffee.

In operation from 1863 to 2016, Bourne and Shepherd was one of the first commercial photography studios in India, known for architectural, landscape and topographical photographs, as well as portraits of Indian nobility, British officials and European travellers. While these images found traction as souvenirs, the studio’s photographs were also widely utilised in the scientific community for the topographical and sociological study of the Indian subcontinent.

These figurines from more than 4000 years ago, provide insights into the material culture of one of the oldest Bronze Age Civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization.

Derived from the Gujarati word saras, meaning "beautiful", Sarasa cloth is believed to have been introduced to Japan as a trade textile by the Dutch during the Muromachi period (1336–1573).

Collecting Chinese porcelain as emblems of wealth and taste has a long and rich history. From the Balkans to Iraq and Iran through South Asia and East Africa, nobles and emperors of the 16 century collected Chinese ceramics to showcase them.

Researchers analyzed how the specific components of peace and environmental sustainability — concepts known to be intrinsically related but often investigated separately — influence each other to better inform policy and decision-making.

A genre of sculpture developed in the northwest region of the ancient Indian subcontinent in the form of reliefs and freestanding work as expressions of the Buddhist faith.

The history of extracting chay root dye — a natural red colourant — from the chay plant (Oldenlandia umbellata) dates back to at least the seventeenth century. Read on to know more about the relevance of the dye in the textile dyeing practices of southern India.

Scientists from Hokkaido University have reconstructed the climate of Hokkaido over the past 4400 years and have revealed that changes in the climate influenced changes in historic cultures during that time.

A team of scientists has found that women’s football was common across Japan between the Meiji restoration and the start of the Second World War. In the process, they also uncovered the oldest known photograph of women playing football in Japan, from 1916.

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