6) What colour did a notorious Jamaican rebel movement take as their identifier and name? (They were fighting against the English). [
Maroon]
Their insignia, often seen on the buttons of their coats, was an [
alligator] holding a [
wheat sheaf] and an [
olive] branch. [3 points for each and 1 bonus point for all three correct]
R4A: I just like the story of these guys and its cool to see how they have lent their colours to the West Indies today. Also for geographical diversity in questions.
7) Who directed the film Raise the Red Lantern and what is it about? [
Zhiang Yimou - Wealthy Man's Concubines/class system/gender equality/jealousy etc]
R4A: This is a simply outstanding film folks. As someone who has worked in the industry please let me say that this is cinematic poise and mastery on a heavenly level. And its damn good political satire too. The story of a young peasant girl being introduced as a wealthy Chinese mans 4th concubine is a direct satire of the dubious elements of governmental activities in China during the time (cant remember when it was set). This film contains jealousy, womens rights, misogyny, betrayal, love, politics, outstanding cinematography and so much more. Big recommendation folks.
8) From which group of people does the following myth / legend / story come from? I will accept either the specific ethnic / cultural group or the wider psuedo-nation (not race) that they belonged to. [
Algonquin/Seneca & Iroquois Nation].
R4A: On CFC we are learning much more about the Iroquios and what clever and compassionate people they were. I happen to have a book packed with Native American myths and legends. So Ive included this to show a pagan belief being pronounced, and show how many peoples round the world did and do not choose a monotheistic system of belief, which I currently like to associate with religious wars. 
9) Masud Saad was
imprisoned for 18 years of his life in Ghazi or Gahzni, the capital of the first Mughal ruler's Empire - Mahmud. Which three literary traditions (languages) did his body of work help unite? [
Persian, Arabic and Indian (sanskrit)]
R4A: Many reasons. a) Significance of "Exile Literature" throughout the world, see Primo Levi et al. b) Significane of poets in medieval courts around the world. They were historians, pop stars, political activists, spiritual leaders and so much more. c) To highlight the large and flamboyant literary traditions of these three cultural bases. d) To highlight how when cultures merge (in peace or war really) wonderful by products emerge see > e) Urdu and the cause of its birth. Urdu is probably one of the most beautiful languages in the whole area for writing and speaking verse and Lahore, where Mas'ud Sa'ad worked most, is a poetic Mecca of sorts.
Afghanistan c. 11th century. This was the time when the first big interaction of Persian, and Arabic languages started with the local languages of India, because of large armies of Persian speaking people flocked to Punjab [a Hindi speaking area]. A common language was needed so a proto language was born. This language when interacted with the local dialects of Delhi and surrounding areas gradually developed into modern Urdu.
10) Whos parents real life romance gives the inspiration for the book Love in a Time of Cholera? [
Gabriel Garcia Marquez] And who wrote it? [
Gabriel Garcia Marquez]
R4A: Links in with the Raise the Red Lantern question to show that men have a universal wanderlust in the loins 
. Also one of my favourite authors, championing the 'magical realist' school of literature.
11) Who wrote Monkey? [
Wu Cheng En in the 16th century. A kung fu comedy was made from this for TV in the 70s.] What is it about? [
Whoa! Many things, see below.]
R4A: This is a massively multi-layered work of literature. On one level it is a comic legend, on another it is a damning political satire, on another still it is a religious fable, and even another it is a work of history. It initially tells of a cheeky monkey (everyday man/Wu himself/mankind in general) who defies and challenges the gods (Chinese Govt/Old religious order). The second part deals with a monk, Tripitaka, making a pilgrimage between China and India. This one book alone gives an idea about how fundamental ideas have traversed between these two Asian cultural bases. Much of this in anceint and medieval times was done not only along the silk road but also by wandering monks, like Tripitaka. Amongst other thigns, these monks were responsible for the spread of: Political systems, Buddhism, medical knowledge, languages, martial arts (see the Urumi question), political support / dissent, artistic traditions and so much more.
12) Michel Foucault wrote a book, first published in 1961 by Librairie Plon, entitled Folie et--
Deraison--- or Madness and --
Civilisation. I need both the French and the English --???for [1point]
R4A: Civilisation duh! Also to point out the original title of the book and how funny the translation really is.
13) From which cultural tradition (I am looking for a religion and a modern day nation) does this painting come from?
[
(Tantric) Buddhism & Nepal]
Buddhist Monks in Nepal were like Flemish monks. Insular yet flamboyantly artistic. They blazed the trail medically, musically and artistically in general. This painting is from the 12th century. They were also the kind of people who wandered between China, Arabia, India and spread ideas around.
14) Kimchi / Gimchi is the national dish of which nation? [
South Korea, they don't eat much in the north these days
] What is it? [
Fermented Cabbage]
15) Tell me the name of the martial tradition the weapon being described below comes from and where the geographical location of that tradition. [
Kalariayaputti & Kerala, India - 1] (I have of course blanked out any clues in the text):
R4A: This martial arts tradition is said to be the Mother of all Martial Arts, yet it is currently dying out and not many people know of it. For the less romantic and enthusiastic it is at least recognised as the source of knowledge for all the more famous Far Eastern traditions such as kung fu, karate and so on. The pilgrimages told in the Monkey book demonstrate how the knowledge was passed east by wandering monks.
Around the year 520 A.D, a budhist monk called Bodhidharma arrived in China which was then ruled by Emperor Wu of the Ling dynasty. It was a time when monks travelled far and wide to teach the eight-fold path which their Lord had proclaimed braving attacks from the bandits that frequented every major caravan route. Bodhidharma wandered into China from his home in South India. He settled in Shaolin temple and began to teach Zen Buddhism and meditation. His teachings included the philosophy of peace and non-violence and he advocated the novel concept that it was perfectly possible for a man to defend himself against all attacks without using lethal weapons. As a young prince, Bodhidharma has to study the art of fighting and he had learnt to fit his new philosophy. His teachings soon spread until they covered the whole of what is now considered to be the Oriental world.
http://ernakulam.com/kalari.htm
This thing takes your arm off if it raps around it. Same for the neck and head I would imagine! I requote: It is a dangerous weapon as it will coil round the user, if he fails to keep its correct speed, wrist-work and pose.
Imagine it!!! 
Now look at it!!
16) There are five pillars of Shia Islam, often symbolised by the five fingers on a hand. For 1 point tell what those 5 pillars are.
The Usool-ul-Deen (Principles of the Religion)
Tawhid (The Oneness of God)
Adl (The Justice of God)
Nubuwwah (Prophethood)
Imamah (God-appointed Leadership of humankind)
Qiyaamah (The Day of Judgement)
R4A: Again, true to my so called love of historical revionism Ive pulled this one up to help us all understand the Islamic faith better and the different branches of it. The Sunni (trodden path) and Shia (partisans of Ali) split is based on a succession dispute, with the Shia favouring Ali and the Sunnis favouring Abu Bakr.
There are also 5 fingers as Doc rightly pointed out 1) the Prophet Muhammad 2) his cousin Ali 3) daughter Fatima 4) and grandsons Hasan and 5) Hussain. These are more commonly recognised by Shias around the world and they will refer to these if you hold your hand up and ask them what the five fingers represent. Ive done this from Pakistan to Turkey and India to the UK and theyve all said those peoples names. Shia response to the 5 principles/roots is therefore a little like peoples reaction to the Ten Commandments?
17)
Quipu - belts of knotted ropes and strings. Each knot represented numbers, people, stocks of cattle, weapons, roads etc. http://www.incasgroup.it/?pk_pagina=44&lang=E
R4A: It was an ingenious and meticulous method of record keeping. Also to show that writing isn't a necessary landmark in achieving greatness. And these guys did make the Romans look pretty funny.
. A distribution, is fair, diverse and is quite easy to do also: 
Oh. Sorry. I'm just lost because all the talk was kinda... boring, confusing and largely OT. I don't have any clue about what has gone on in the past three to four pages as I have struggled too much to follow it.
Technically, I do agree with that conceptions to cover several continents and eras...but, that complaint simply does not apply to the questions so far.
.
It will hopefully come in due time. I fully share your verdict of this remarkable people.
My apologies for not participating but I got a sudden throat infection and grew lazy. But next time, watch out!
