Traditional Libyan dress (notice the henna-painted hands)

A young boy bearing a picture of Muammar al-Gaddafi, the ruler of Libya, led the procession onto the stage, and the reciting of famous speeches started. Suddenly a group of boys carrying toy machine guns with real shooting noises ran around as the other children fell on their faces at the call to prayer. Complete with cultural dances (above) and incense burning, this was an insider's snapshot of history and customs I was lucky not to miss!

So much can you learn about the political state, culture, and religion of a country through it's children!