You are probably familiar with fall traditions such as trick or treating, carving pumpkins, and baking, but what about massive feasts, floating lanterns, and face painting to honor passed relatives? These are customs celebrated around the world during different holidays, such as Diwali. Diwali is a Hindu holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights. This holiday is India’s biggest holiday and has many variations, but overall, Diwali celebrates light over darkness, good over evil, and righteousness over ignorance. Diwali is five days long, however before the holiday even starts, lanterns are placed outside the houses of those who are celebrating, to protect them from spiritual darkness. On day one of Diwali, people traditionally clean their homes and shop for gold cutlery to bring good fortune. Day two involves the decorating of homes, and creating patterns made of sand, on the ground. On the festival’s main day, day 3, families gather to pray, eat, and watch fireworks. Some traditional foods eaten on Diwali are samosas, a crispy-fried turnover, and Aloo Bonda, which is a crispy potato fried and very similar to America’s favorite, French fries!! Day four is spent celebrating the first day of the new year, visiting relatives to give best wishes, and giving gifts for the upcoming season. Finally, for Diwali, day five is spent visiting more family and friends and finishing off the holiday with a lavish meal.
Traditionally celebrated in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a two-day holiday that honors family members who have passed. Families create offerings and decorate altars with yellow marigold flowers, photos of the passed relatives, and drinks and food because it is believed that the departed can smell the tasty food offerings. Along with decorated altars, the names of the relatives that have passed are written on sugar skulls as decoration. At midnight, on November 1, the celebration begins. The first day of Dia de los Muertos is to honor the children who have passed on. Traditionally called Dia de los Angelitos, families start by decorating an altar for the child that has passed, and it is believed that for 24 hours, the spirits of the deceased children join their families. After a day of celebrating the children, the focus shifts to honor the adults. One false belief about this holiday is that the two days are the same, however, the second day consists of many more adult activities, such as dancing and drinking. Finally, on the public celebration of Dia de los Muertos, families dance, watch, and participate in parades, paint their faces with skulls, and eat. Overall, Dia de los Muertos is an enjoyable, colorful, and meaningful celebration that is so important to many families.
Finally, Loy Krathong, or the Festival of Lanterns. The name of this holiday comes from Loy which means ‘to float’, and Krathong which refers to a small, religious offering. This holiday is a celebration, primarily celebrated in Thailand. The Festival of Lanterns is usually celebrated in November, but unlike a lot of holidays, the day varies. The celebration of this holiday is one day long and involves creating lanterns, and floating them down any river, because it is believed that all rivers flow down from the heavens, meaning that the lanterns would eventually reach the gods, spirits, and heavens. Some other traditions of Loy Krathong are dancing, music, Thai food, and meditation.
All in all, it is important to learn about different cultures and holidays, so we can stay educated and be sure to always respect each other’s beliefs.
