The World from PRX

Folk knowledge helped some people escape 2004 tsunami

Full Episode
50:00

A Simeulue islander works on a temporary bridge, Feb. 25, 2005, replacing one knocked out by the massive earthquake that rocked the island.

Ed Wray/AP/File photo

The majority of deaths from the 2004 earthquake and tsunami were in Indonesia. But one island had just a handful of deaths, and researchers say that was partly due to folklore passed down through generations. Also, an update on the situation in Syria as Syrians look to the future with a mixture of fear and hope. And, Albania’s former president was arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, but the problem may be more widespread. Plus, a soup to celebrate, not only the new year, but Haiti’s independence day.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

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In This Episode

Some people on Indonesia’s Simeulue island relied on folklore to escape the 2004 tsunami
Special Coverage
5:22
Syrians look to the future with a mix of hope and fear
4:56
Haitian soup commemorates New Year’s revolt
2:58
Finland detains ‘shadow fleet’ ship it believes cut undersea cables
4:08
Why the Houthis are hard to defeat
4:11
The World looks back at a year of sports
17:39
Corruption endemic in Albania
5:32
A life lesson from the Afro-Caribbean band The Bongo Hop
1:34