American Studies
Geography Festivals
Mr. Popovich
Objective: Knowledge of cultural festivals from around the world.
Background: The Geography Festivals Activity will be a 150-point assignment that will
provide comprehension of different cultures form around the world! It will be done in
groups of three to four people. You will not be allowed to choose your own groups. Once
you have met your group, exchange phone numbers with those people, because some work
outside of class will be necessary. Remember: I reserve the right to change any member
of your group or your entire group, if I think it is in the best interests of learning.
The Process: You will have three full class days to work on this project in class. I will
provide supplies such as colored pencils, glue sticks, markers, scissors, and rulers for you to
work with in class. You will need one piece of white butcher paper (22‖ X 28‖). You will
receive a piece of paper from Mr. Popovich. You may buy a piece of poster board from the
book store if you do not want to use butcher paper. Each group member’s name should
be written neatly on the back of the butcher paper. Everything on your butcher paper
should be neatly written and spelled correctly.
The Research: First, you must find information and pictures for your festival. YOU
MUST READ the handout given to you as a group. Then, more information may be
found on the Internet, in the school library or public library. You will have to draw the
pictures of find them on your own. Do not use this as an excuse for not being able to find
pictures. Any Information can be found in outside books such as: atlases, encyclopedias,
and magazines. Make copies of pictures that show the culture of your festival.
Graphic Designer- Responsible for the overall look and organization of the banner. Lead
discussion, takes notes, and contributes ideas during the brainstorming session. Make sure
visuals accurately represent the festival. Leads in the production of the banner. You will
also find additional information about the festival from textbooks or the library. Helps with
answering questions.
Illustrator- Creates or finds a copy of the map of where the festival is. Creates visuals for
the banner. Helps brainstorm ideas for the project. Creates a rough sketch of the collage for
the teacher to review. Assists in the final production.
Paraphraser/Researcher- Helps the group understand the information given in the handout.
Helps brainstorm ideas for the banner. Makes sure the most important ideas are included on
the banner. Leads a discussion on how to restate the information about the festival so
classmates can understand it. Assists in the final production of the collage.
Celebrations around the world activity
The Steps: Check off each step as it is finished.
1. You are going to create a banner for your celebration. The banner must have 10 pictures
from the celebration (party), the name of the party, your answers on the poster, and an
explanation of the celebration. There will be no computer time for this. You have three
days to work on this.
2. Draw a map of where your celebration is held. Use the American Studies book map section
to find the country.
3. Cut out at least 10 pictures from magazines, newspapers, travel brochures, or pictures you
have copied from a book or the Internet. Your may draw all of the pictures yourself if
desired. Glue them onto your poster surrounding your map.
4. All of these pictures should be about your celebration.
5. Number each picture. Write or type a description of each pricture on a piece of paper with
the corresponding number from the front of the poster. Glue these on the back.
6. Next, you must think of something to make to pass out to the class so they can be a part of
the celebration. You can make hats, bracelets, or anything else. If you pass out food you
have to double check with me. You must also have something for them to do at your booth.
For example you can create board games, puzzles, quiz games, or any other type of game
that they think will be both fun and educational. We will not present but go around the room
and share our celebrations.
Answer the following questions on your poster:
1. Where does this celebration take place? Is it a countrywide celebration, or a regional or
local event (such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans)?
2. How long does this celebration usually last, and how often does it take place?
3. Is this celebration new or old? What is its history? Is the festival held for a specific event?
4. What makes this celebration specific to its location? Could you find a celebration exactly
like it in any other part of the world? Why or why not?
5. What traditions or customs are associated with this celebration?
6. Are there any songs, chants, or poems associated with this celebration? If so, what?
7. Do many visitors or tourists come to celebrate with the locals? Why or why not?
Celebrations Project Sign-Up Sheet – Period 1 2 3 4 5 6
Gaucho Festival-Argentina Carnival (Latin America)
Cowboy Mardi Gras
1. _________________ 1. _________________
2. _________________ 2. _________________
3. _________________ 3. _________________
Chinese New Year Day of the Dead- Mexico
Fireworks Ancestor Festival- Skeletons
1. _________________ 1. _________________
2. _________________ 2. _________________
3. _________________ 3. _________________
Guy Fawkes Night- England Holi- India
Fireworks & Bonfires Festival of Colors
1. _________________ 1. _________________
2. _________________ 2. _________________
3. _________________ 3. _________________
Songkran- Thailand Queen’s Day- Netherlands
Asian Easter & April Fools Day Queens B-day, shopping, music, orange
1. _________________ 1. _________________
2. _________________ 2. _________________
3. _________________ 3. _________________
Basant -India Australia Day
Kite Festival Independence Day for Australia
1. _________________ 1. _________________
2. _________________ 2. _________________
3. _________________ 3. _________________
Name ___________________ Period ___________________
Celebrations Project Rubric
CATEGORY POINTS
Name of Celebration (Capitalized & spelled correctly) 5 pts. ______
Celebration Description 10 pts. _____
Map of Celebration Locations 10 pts. ______
Questions Answered (3 pts each answer) 21 pts. ______
Pictures used and descriptions(Between colored/printed/2 pts each) 20 pts. ______
Game 24 pts ______
All work is neat 30 pts. ______
Extra Credit Food/Music/Costume ______
TOTAL GROUP POINTS ______ / 120
Contributed fair share of the workload to the team 25 pts. ______
Followed directions, worked quietly and cooperatively in class 25 pts. ______
TOTAL INDIVIDUAL POINTS ______ / 50
TOTAL POINTS ______ / 170
World Geography Name:_______________________________
Celebrations Notes
Mr. Popovich
Name of festival Definition or facts What is something new that you
(List what they learned?
passed out)
Guy Fawkes
Night
Gaucho
Oktoberfest
Barranquilla's
Carnival
Fetu Afahye
Basant
Name of festival
What did they Definition or facts What is something new that you
give out? learned?
Matsuri
Anzac Day
Festival not on
list
Festival not on
list
What was your favorite festival? Why?
Explain what a perfect festival would be like for you?
Gaucho
Portrait of a gaucho from Argentina. Photographed in Peru, 1868.
Gaucho in ring lancing contest, Buenos Aires Province
Gaucho (gaúcho in Portuguese, gaucho in Spanish) is a term commonly used to describe residents
of the South American pampas, chacos, or Patagonian grasslands, found principally in parts of
Argentina, Uruguay, Southern Chile, and Southwestern Rio Grande do Sul. In Brazil, written
Gaúcho and pronounced differently, it is also used to designate people from the state of Rio Grande
do Sul in general.
The word gaucho could be described as a loose equivalent to the North American "cowboy"
(vaquero, in Spanish). Like the North American word cowboy, Venezuelan or Colombian llanero,
or Chilean huaso, or the Mexican charro, the term often connotes the 19th century more than the
present day; then gauchos made up the majority of the rural population, herding cattle on the vast
estancias, and practising hunting as their main economic activities. The word "gaucho" is
sometimes used to refer to chimichurri, a steak sauce common to Argentina.[1]
There are several conflicting hypotheses concerning the origin of the term. It may derive from the
Mapuche cauchu ("vagabond") [2] or from the Quechua huachu ("orphan"), which gives also a
different word in Spanish "guacho". The first recorded uses of the term date from around the time of
Argentine independence in 1816.
History
Cattle were brought to the Pampas from Paraguay in 1580, by the colonial expedition of Juan de
Garay.[3] In the 18th century, the gauderios, who lived by hunting wild cattle, were recorded, most
famously by the travel writer Alonso Carrió de la Vandera, when he passed through what is now
northern Argentina.[4] Commercial cattle ranching began in the second half of the 18th century.
Gauchos were generally nomadic, and lived in the Pampas, the plain that extends north from
Patagonia, bounded on the west by the Andes and extending on the east to Uruguay and the
Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. These skilled riders lived from the feral cattle. Most gauchos
were of Spanish and/or Portuguese and/or Amerindian (native American) ancestry. There are also
gauchos of largely African or part African ancestry as well.
A Brazilian Gaúcho. Laçador Statue, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
An inconclusive genetic study conducted by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado
de São Paulo) in 2007 detected a Amerindian with a, perhaps, stronger Spanish than Portuguese
admixture in Brazilian gaúchos. A small African admixture was also found.[5] The area that is Rio
Grande do Sul belonged to the Spanish Crown for over two centuries before it became a Portuguese
possession in 1750 (Treaty of Madrid)[clarification needed]. The results of the study were not conclusive,
and raised questions that will require further attention. The study clearly showed that their MtDNA
has much stronger affinities with Amerindian MtDNA in Argentina and Uruguay than with
Amerindian MtDNA from other parts of Brazil and suggests that this is probably due to genetic
ancestry from the now extinct Pampean Indians (Charrúa, Minuano).[6][7]
Dramatization of a fight between gauchos. Notice the ponchos wrapped around the arms, to
function as shields against stabbing.
Some gauchos were recorded as being in the Falkland Islands,[8] and have left a few Spanish words
in the local dialect e.g. camp from campo.
Culture
The gaucho plays an important symbolic role in the nationalist feelings of this region, especially
that of Argentina and Uruguay. The epic poem Martín Fierro by José Hernández used the gaucho as
a symbol against corruption and of Argentine national tradition, pitted against Europeanising
tendencies. Martín Fierro, the hero of the poem, is drafted into the Argentine military for a border
war, deserts, and becomes an outlaw and fugitive. The image of the free gaucho is often contrasted
to the slaves who worked the northern Brazilian lands. Further literary descriptions are found in
Ricardo Güiraldes' Don Segundo Sombra.
Modern typical party of Gaúchos in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Like the North American cowboys[citation needed], gauchos were generally reputed to be strong, honest,
silent types, but proud and capable of violence when provoked. The gaucho tendency to violence
over petty matters is also recognized as a typical trait. Gauchos' use of the famous "facón" (large
knife generally tucked into the rear of the gaucho sash) is legendary, often associated with
considerable bloodletting. Historically, the facón was typically the only eating instrument that a
gaucho carried.
There is, perhaps, more of an air of melancholy about the classic gaucho than the classic cowboy
Also like the cowboy, the gauchos were and still are proud and great horseriders. Typically, a
gaucho's horse constituted most of what he owned in the world. During the wars of the 19th century
in the Southern Cone, the cavalries on all sides were composed almost entirely of gauchos. In
Argentina, gaucho armies such as that of Martín Miguel de Güemes, slowed Spanish advances.
Furthermore, many caudillos relied on gaucho armies to control the Argentine provinces.
The gaucho diet was composed almost entirely of beef while on the range, supplemented by yerba
mate, an herbal tea-like drink rich in caffeine and nutrients. Argentine cooking draws influence
from the simple but delicious recipes used in gaucho meals.
Gauchos[9] dressed quite distinctly from North American cowboys, and used bolas or boleadoras -
in Portuguese boleadeiras - (three leather bound rocks tied together with approximately three feet
long leather straps) in addition to the familiar "North American" lariat or riata. The typical gaucho
outfit would include a poncho (which doubled as saddle blanket and also as sleeping gear), a facón
(large knife), a rebenque (leather whip), and loose-fitting trousers called bombachas, belted with a
tirador, or a chiripá, a piece of cloth used in the fashion—but not the function—of a diaper. Several
of these items were British imports into the area; for example, bombachas were originally made in
Turkey. In the wintertime, gauchos wore heavy wool ponchos to protect against cold. Nowadays,
working gauchos are as likely to be found in overalls and wellington boots as in their traditional
dress.
Just as the disappearance of the "Wild West" of the United States altered the character and
employment of "cowboys" so too did the nature of gauchos become changed. In southern
Patagonia, on both the Chilean and Argentine sides of the frontier, the term "gaucho" became
synonymous with "bandit" or "stock rustler" or imply "thief." The rural population of Patagonia
often does not share the traditional or "literary" image of the gauchos as "honest but solitary
cowboy types" but instead as undesirables. Those with urban and academic orientations typically
continue to cling to an image of gauchos that is no longer accurate or consistent with contemporary
rural realities.
Gaucho Festival takes place at a few estancias – a Latin American Ranches (San Antonio de Areco,
Realico, Quemu – Quemu, Rolon etc.). Gauchos were men who took care of the animals in the
farms, in English they are called cowboys. Traditional dances and music are presented on gaucho
festivals which include also horseback riding, hayrides, Argentine barbecue ("asado criollo") and
wine.
The gaucho - the South American cowboy - is one of the icons of Argentina's rural farming areas.
WHERE: Each year the main events of the gaucho festival, which celebrates the gaucho way of
life, takes place in the vast plains of Las Pampas, around 360 miles south of the capital Buenos
Aires.
The festival will be celebrating all things rural, offering a unique insight into the traditions of
Argentinian country life.
Holidaymakers will get chance to take in horse parades, dancing and music, and enjoy barbecued
meat - a major feature of the region, and a food Argentina is famous for.
HOW LONG: The festival can last from one day to one week. On September 20, the festival ends
with a splendid evening of traditional gaucho dances, where young and old are dressed in traditional
gaucho clothes. Men wear high, leather boots in which they tuck their baggy gaucho pants and they
wear a neckerchief tied at the throat. Women are dressed in ankle-length, wide skirts with white
blouses or brightly coloured dresses and may put flowers in their hair.
IS THIS CELEBRATION NEW OR OLD: The Gauch festival has been celebrated since the
mild of the 18th century. Since 1996, September 20 is an official holiday in Rio Grande do Sul and
each year [September 13-20] Gaucho is celebrated, in commemoration of the Farrapos War. During
this week gaucho dances, music and traditions come back to life in the form of parades, shows of
fandango dances, typical music and other manifestations of Rio Grande de Sul.
Latin American Carnival
Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually
during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some
elements of a circus, mask and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the
celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life
Carnival is a festival traditionally held in Roman Catholic and, to a lesser extent, Eastern Orthodox
societies. Protestant areas usually do not have carnival celebrations or have modified traditions,
such as the Danish Carnival or other Shrove Tuesday events. The Brazilian Carnaval is one of the
best-known celebrations today, but many cities and regions worldwide celebrate with large, popular,
and days-long events.
History
The Lenten period of the Church calendar, being the six weeks directly before Easter, was marked
by fasting and other pious or penetential practices. Traditionally during Lent, no parties or other
celebrations were held, and people refrained from eating rich foods, such as meat, dairy, fats and
sugar. The forty days of Lent, recalling the biblical account of the forty days that Jesus spent in the
wilderness, serve to mark an annual time of turning. In the days before Lent, all rich food and drink
had to be disposed of. The consumption of this, in a giant party that involved the whole community
is thought to be the origin of Carnival.
While it forms an integral part of the Christian calendar, particularly in Catholic regions, some
carnival traditions may date back to pre-Christian times. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia
and Bacchanalia may possibly have been absorbed into the Italian Carnival. The Saturnalia, in turn,
may be based on the Greek Dionysia and Oriental festivals. While medieval pageants and festivals
such as Corpus Christi were church-sanctioned celebrations, carnival was also a manifestation of
medieval folk culture. Many local carnival customs are based on local pre-Christian rituals, for
example the elaborate rites involving masked figures in the Swabian-Alemannic carnival.
Some of the best-known traditions, including carnival parades and masquerading, were first
recorded in medieval Italy. The carnival of Venice was for a long time the most famous carnival.
From Italy, carnival traditions spread to the Catholic nations of Spain, Portugal, and France. From
France, they spread to the Rhineland of Germany, and to New France in North America. From
Spain and Portugal, they spread with Catholic colonization to the Caribbean and Latin America.
Other areas have developed their own traditions. In the United Kingdom, West Indian immigrants
brought with them the traditions of Caribbean Carnival, however the Carnivals now celebrated at
Notting Hill, London; Leeds, Yorkshire, and other places have become divorced from their cycle in
the religious year, becoming purely secular events, that take place in the summer months.
Length and individual holidays
While the starting day of Carnivale varies, the festival usually builds up to a crescendo in the week
before lent, ending on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. In
the Ambrosian rite of Milan (Italy), the carnival ends on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday. In
areas in which people practice Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Carnival ends on the Sunday seven
weeks before Easter, since in Eastern tradition lent begins on Clean Monday.
Most common the season begins on Septuagesima, the first Sunday before Ash Wednesday. In
some places it starts as early as Twelfth Night (January 6) or even in November. The most
important celebrations are generally concentrated during the last days of the season before Ash
Wednesday.
The origin of the name "carnival" is disputed. Variants in Italian dialects suggest that the name
comes from the Italian carne levare or similar, meaning "to remove meat", since meat is prohibited
during Lent.[1]
A different explanation states that the word comes from the Late Latin expression carne vale, which
means "farewell to meat", signifying that those were the last days when one could eat meat before
the fasting of Lent. Yet another translation depicts carne vale as "a farewell to the flesh", a phrase
embraced by certain carnival celebrations that encourage letting go of your former (or everyday)
self and embracing the carefree nature of the festival. However, explanations proceeding from carne
vale seem to be folk etymologies and are not supported by philological evidence.[1]
Another possible explanation comes from the term "Carrus Navalis" (ship cart), the name of the
roman festival of Isis, where her image was carried to the sea-shore to bless the start of the sailing
season.[2] The festival consisted in a parade of masks following an adorned wooden boat, that
would reflect the floats of modern carnivals.[3]
Argentina
In Argentina, the most representative carnival performed is the so called Murga, although other
famous carnival, more Brazilian stylized, are held in the Argentine Mesopotamia and the North-
East. Gualeguaychú in the east of Entre Ríos province is the most important carnival city and has
one of the largest parades, with a similar afro-American musical background to Brazilian or
Uruguayan Carnival. Corrientes is another city with a lively carnival tradition. Chamame, a kind of
polka is played during the carnivals. In all major cities and many towns throughout the country,
Carnival is also celebrated, but less famous than in the above mentioned places.
As carnival coincides with summer, in many parts of Argentina children play with water. The 19th
century tradition of filling empty egg shells with water has evolved into water games that include
the throwing of water balloons.
Bolivia
La Diablada carnival, takes place in the city of Oruro in central Bolivia. It is celebrated in honor of
the patron saint of the miners, Vírgen de Socavon (the Virgin of the Tunnels). Over 50 parade
groups dance, sing and play music over a five kilometre-long course. Participants dress up as
demons, devils, angels, Incas and Spanish conquerors. There are various kinds of dances such as
caporales and tinkus. The parade runs from morning until late at night, 18 hours a day, 3 days
before Ash Wednesday. Meanwhile throughout the country celebrations are held involving
traditional rhythms and water parties. In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, at the east side of the country, the
tropical weather allows a Brazilian-type carnival, with agropuations of people called "Comparsas"
dancing traditional songs in matching uniforms.
Brazil
An important part of the Brazilian Carnival takes place in the Rio Carnival, with samba schools
parading in the Sambadrome ("sambódromo" in Portuguese). It's the largest carnival event in this
country, considered to be the largest of the kind in the world. Called "One of the biggest shows of
the Earth", the festival attracts millions of tourists, both Brazilians and foreigners who come from
everywhere to participate and enjoy the great show. Samba Schools are large, social entities with
thousands of members and a theme for their song and parade each year. Tourists are allowed to pay
($500-750) to buy a Samba costume and dance in the parade through the Sambadrome with one of
the schools. Blocos are generally small informal groups also with a definite theme in their samba,
usually satirical of the current political situation. But there are also a lot, about 30 of them in Rio de
Janeiro, that are very big in number of participants, gathering hundreds of thousands of people.
There are more than 200 blocos in Rio de Janeiro. Bandas are samba musical bands, usually formed
by enthusiasts in the same neighborhood.
An adapted truck from Salvador, with giant speakers and a platform where musicians play songs of
local genres such as Axé music, Samba-reggae and Arrocha, is driven with the following crowd
both dancing and singing. It was originally staged by two Salvador musicians, Dodo & Osmar, in
the 1950s. Several cities in the state of Bahia still celebrate Carnaval this way, with as most popular
the carnival of Porto Seguro.
Pernambuco has large Carnival celebrations, including the Frevo, typical Pernambuco music.
Another famous carnival music style from Pernambuco is Maracatu. The cities of Recife and Olinda
also host large carnival celebrations in Brazil. The largest carnival parade in all of the world
according The Guinness Book of World Records is named Galo da Madrugada, which takes place
in downtown Recife on the Saturday of carnival. Another famous event is the Noite dos Tambores
Silenciosos.[16]
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year's Eve in Meizhou, Guangdong,
China
Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional
Chinese holidays. It is commonly called "Lunar New Year", because it is based on the lunisolar
Chinese calendar. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese:
正月; pinyin: zhēng yuè) in the Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the
15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as chú xī. It literally means "Year-pass Eve".
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The
origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths
and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they
believed in the most.
Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Han Chinese
populations (Chinatowns), such as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan,
Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Chinese New Year is considered a major
holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic
neighbors, as well as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive interaction. These include
Koreans (Seollal), Tibetans and Bhutanese (Losar), Mongolians (Tsagaan Sar), Vietnamese (Tết),
and the Japanese before 1873 (Oshogatsu).
In countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, although Chinese New Year is not an
official holiday, many ethnic Chinese hold large celebrations and Australia Post, Canada Post, and
the US Postal Service issue New Year's themed stamps.
Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year
vary widely. People will pour out their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and
clothing. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-
fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with
red colour paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of ―happiness‖, ―wealth‖, and ―longevity‖.
On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will include such items as
pigs, ducks, chicken and sweet delicacies. The family will end the night with firecrackers. Early the
next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and
receive money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year tradition is a great way to reconcile;
forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.
Although the Chinese calendar traditionally does not use continuously numbered years, outside
China its years are often numbered from the reign of the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi. But at least
three different years numbered 1 are now used by various scholars, making the year 2010 "Chinese
Year" 4708, 4707, or 4647.[2]
Chinese New Year decoration in London's Chinatown
Mythology
According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a
mythical beast called the Nien (Chinese: 年; pinyin: nián). Nien would come on the first day of
New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves,
the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed
that after the Nien ate the food they prepared, it wouldn‘t attack any more people. One time, people
saw that the Nien was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that
the Nien was afraid of the colour red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the
villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used
firecrackers to frighten away the Nien. From then on, Nien never came to the village again. The
Nien was eventually captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk. The Nien became
Hongjun Laozu's mount.[3]
Public holiday
Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories where a
sizable Chinese population resides. Since Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the
Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week, some of these governments opt to shift
working days in order to accommodate a longer public holiday. Also like many other countries in
the world, a statutory holiday is added on the following work day when the New Year falls on a
weekend.
The Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, a practice
known as "new-year visits" (Chinese: 拜年; pinyin: bài nián). New clothes are usually worn to
signify a new year. The colour red is liberally used in all decorations. Red packets are given to
juniors and children by the married and elders. See Symbolism below for more explanation.
Preceding days
On the days before the New Year celebration Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning.
There is a Cantonese saying "Wash away the dirt on ninyabaat" (年廿八，洗邋遢), but the practice
is not usually restricted on nin'ya'baat (年廿八, the 28th day of month 12). It is believed the
cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and makes their homes ready for good
luck. Brooms and dust pans are put away on the first day so that the newly arrived good luck cannot
be swept away. Some people give their homes, doors and window-frames a new coat of red paint.
Homes are often decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets.
Purchasing new clothing, shoes, and receiving a hair-cut also symbolize a fresh start.
In many households where Buddhism or Taoism is prevalent, home altars and statues are cleaned
thoroughly, and altars that were adorned with decorations from the previous year are also taken
down and burned a week before the new year starts, and replaced with new decorations. Taoists
(and Buddhists to a lesser extent) will also "send gods" (送神), an example would be burning a
paper effigy of Zao Jun the Kitchen God, the recorder of family functions. This is done so that the
Kitchen God can report to the Jade Emperor of the family household's transgressions and good
deeds. Families often offer sweet foods (such as candy) in order to "bribe" the deities into reporting
good things about the family.
The biggest event of any Chinese New Year's Eve is the dinner every family will have. A dish
consisting of fish will appear on the tables of Chinese families. It is for display for the New Year's
Eve dinner. This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West. In northern China, it is
customary to make dumplings (jiaozi 饺子) after dinner and have it around midnight. Dumplings
symbolize wealth because their shape is like a Chinese tael. By contrast, in the South, it is
customary to make a new year cake (Niangao, 年糕) after dinner and send pieces of it as gifts to
relatives and friends in the coming days of the new year. Niangao literally means increasingly
prosperous year in year out. After the dinner, some families go to local temples, hours before the
new year begins to pray for a prosperous new year by lighting the first incense of the year; however
in modern practice, many households hold parties and even hold a countdown to the new lunar year.
Beginning in 1982, the CCTV New Year's Gala was broadcast four hours before the start of the
New Year.
First day
The first day is for the welcoming of the deities of the heavens and earth, officially beginning at
midnight. Many people, especially Buddhists, abstain from meat consumption on the first day
because it is believed that this will ensure longevity for them. Some consider lighting fires and
using knives to be bad luck on New Year's Day, so all food to be consumed is cooked the day
before. For Buddhists, the first day is also the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva (better known as the
more familiar Budai Luohan), the Buddha-to-be. People also abstain from killing animals.
Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time when families visit the oldest and
most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-
grandparents.
Some families may invite a lion dance troupe as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year as
well as to evict bad spirits from the premises. Members of the family who are married also give red
envelopes containing cash to junior members of the family, mostly children and teenagers. Business
managers also give bonuses through red envelopes to employees for good luck and wealth.
While fireworks and firecrackers are traditionally very popular, some regions have banned them due
to concerns over fire hazards, which have resulted in increased number of fires around New Years
and challenged municipal fire departments' work capacity. For this reason, various city governments
(e.g., Hong Kong, and Beijing, for a number of years) issued bans over fireworks and firecrackers in
certain premises of the city. As a substitute, large-scale fireworks have been launched by
governments in cities like Hong Kong to offer citizens the experience.
Cuisine
Niangao, Chinese New Year cake
A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far away, get
together for the celebration. The venue will usually be in or near the home of the most senior
member of the family. The New Year's Eve dinner is very sumptuous and traditionally includes
chicken and fish. In some areas, fish (simplified Chinese: 鱼; traditional Chinese: 魚; pinyin: yú) is
included, but not eaten completely (and the remainder is stored overnight), as the Chinese phrase
"may there be surpluses every year" (simplified Chinese: 年年有余; traditional Chinese: 年年有餘;
pinyin: nián nián yǒu yú) sounds the same as "may there be fish every year."
In mainland China, many families will banter whilst watching the CCTV New Year's Gala in the
hours before midnight.
Red packets for the immediate family are sometimes distributed during the reunion dinner. These
packets often contain money in certain numbers that reflect good luck and honorability. Several
foods are consumed to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Several of the Chinese food
names are homophones for words that also mean good things.
Food items
Name Description
Buddha's
delight
(simplified
An elaborate vegetarian dish served by Chinese families on the eve and the first
Chinese:
day of the New Year. A type of black hair-like algae, pronounced "fat choy" in
罗汉斋;
Cantonese, is also featured in the dish for its name, which sounds like "prosperity".
traditional
Hakkas usually serve kiu nyuk (Chinese: 扣肉; pinyin: kòu ròu) and ngiong teu fu.
Chinese:
羅漢齋; pinyin:
luó hàn zhāi)
Is usually eaten or merely displayed on the eve of Chinese New Year. The
Fish
pronunciation of fish (魚yú) makes it a homophone for "surpluses"(餘yú).
Jau gok
The main Chinese new year dumpling. It is believed to resemble ancient Chinese
(Chinese: 油角;
gold ingots (simplified Chinese: 金元宝; traditional Chinese: 金元寶; pinyin: jīn
pinyin: yóu
yuán bǎo)
jiăo)
jiao zi Eaten traditionally in northern China because the preparation is similar to
(dumplings) packaging luck inside the dumpling, which is later eaten.
Mandarin oranges are the most popular and most abundant fruit during Chinese
Mandarin
New Year – jin ju (Chinese: 金橘子; pinyin: jīn júzi) translation: golden
oranges
tangerine/orange or kam (Chinese: 柑; pinyin: gān) in Cantonese. Also, the name
gik (橘 jú) in Teochew dialect is a homophone of "luck" or "fortune" (吉 jí).[9]
Melon
seed/Kwatji
Other variations include sunflower, pumpkin and other seeds.
(Chinese: 瓜子;
pinyin: guāzi)
Most popular in eastern China (Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai) because its
pronunciation is a homophone for "a more prosperous year (年高 lit. year high)".
Nian gao Nian gao is also popular in the Philippines because of its large Chinese population
(Chinese: 年糕) and is known as tikoy there. Known as Chinese New Year pudding, nian gao is
made up of glutinous rice flour, wheat starch, salt, water, and sugar. The colour of
the sugar used determines the colour of the pudding (white or brown).
Families may serve uncut noodles, which represent longevity and long life, though
Noodles
this practice is not limited to the new year.
Sweets and similar dried fruit goods are stored in a red or black Chinese candy
Sweets
box.
Bakkwa
Chinese salty-sweet dried meat, akin to jerky, which is trimmed of the fat, sliced,
(Chinese: 肉干;
marinated and then smoked for later consumption or as a gift.
pinyin: ròu gān)
Taro cakes Made from the vegetable taro, the cakes are cut into squares and often fried.
A dish made of shredded radish and rice flour, usually fried and cut into small
Turnip cakes
squares.
Yusheng or
Yee sang
(simplified
Raw fish salad. Eating this salad is said to bring good luck. This dish is usually
Chinese: 鱼生;
eaten on the seventh day of the New Year, but may also be eaten throughout the
traditional
period.
Chinese: 魚生;
pinyin: yú
shēng)
Practices
Red envelopes
This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve
this section if you can. (February 2010)
Red packets for sale in a market in Taipei, Taiwan, before the Year of the Rat
The act of requesting for red packets is normally called (Mandarin): 讨紅包, 要利是.
(Cantonese):逗利是. A married person would not turn down such a request as it would mean that he
or she would be "out of luck" in the new year.
Gift exchange
In addition to red envelopes, which are usually given from elder to younger, small gifts (usually of
food or sweets) are also exchanged between friends or relatives (of different households) during
Chinese New Year. Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes.
Common gifts include fruits (typically oranges, and never pears), cakes, biscuits, chocolates,
candies, or some other small gift.[11]
Markets
Markets or village fairs are set up as the New Year is approaching. These usually open-air markets
feature new year related products such as flowers, toys, clothing, and even fireworks. It is
convenient for people to buy gifts for their new year visits as well as their home decoration. In some
places, the practice of shopping for the perfect plum tree is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of
buying a Christmas tree.
Fireworks
Local man setting off fireworks during Chinese New Year in Shanghai.
Bamboo stems filled with gunpowder that were burnt to create small explosions were once used in
ancient China to drive away evil spirits. In modern times, this method has eventually evolved into
the use of firecrackers during the festive season. Firecrackers are usually strung on a long fused
string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with
gunpowder in its core. Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and, as they are
usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for their deafening explosions
that are thought to scare away evil spirits. See also Myths above. The burning of firecrackers also
signifies a joyful time of year and has become an integral aspect of Chinese New Year
celebrations.[12]
Firecracker ban
The use of firecrackers, although a traditional part of celebration, has over the years led to many
unfortunate outcomes. There have been reported incidents every year of users of fireworks being
blinded, losing body parts, or suffering other grievous injuries, especially during the Chinese New
Year season. Hence, many governments and authorities eventually enacted laws completely banning
the use of firecrackers privately, primarily because of safety issues.
Taiwan – Beginning 2008, firecrackers are banned in urban areas, but still allowed in rural areas.
Mainland China – As of 2008, most urban areas in mainland China permit firecrackers. In the first
three days of the traditional New Year, it is a tradition that people compete with each other by
playing with firecrackers. However, many urban areas banned them in the 1990s. For example, they
were banned in Beijing's urban districts from 1993 to 2005.[13] In 2004, 37 people were killed in a
stampede when four million[14] people gathered for a rumoured Lantern Festival firework display
in nearby Miyun.[15] Since the ban was lifted, the firecracker barrage has been tremendous. An
unusual[clarification needed] feature is that many residents in major cities look down on street-level
fireworks from their tower blocks. Bans are rare in rural areas.
Clothing
Clothing mainly featuring the colour red or bright colours is commonly worn throughout the
Chinese New Year because it is believed that red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. In
addition, people typically wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolize a new beginning in the
new year. Wearing new clothes also symbolizes having more than enough things to use and wear in
the new year.
Symbolism
During these 15 days of the Chinese New Year one will see superstitious or traditional cultural
beliefs with meanings which can be puzzling in the eyes of those who do not celebrate this
occasion. There is a customary reason that explains why everything, not just limited to decorations,
are centered on the colour red. At times, gold is the accompanying colour for reasons that are
already obvious.
The following are popular floral decorations for the New Year and are available at new year
markets.
Floral Decor Meaning
Plum Blossom symbolizes luck
Kumquat symbolizes prosperity
Narcissus symbolizes prosperity
Chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity
Bamboo a plant used for any time of year
Sunflower means to have a good year
Eggplant a plant to heal all of your sickness
Chom Mon Plant a plant which gives you tranquility
Icons and ornamentals
Icons Meaning Illustrations
The Koi fish is usually seen in
paintings. Decorated food depicting
Fish
the fish can also be found. It
symbolizes surplus or success.
These lanterns differ from those of
Mid Autumn Festival in general.
They will be red in colour and tend to
be oval in shape. These are the
traditional Chinese paper lanterns.
Lanterns
Those lanterns, used on the fifteenth
day of the Chinese New Year for the
Lantern Festival, are bright,
colourful, and in many different sizes
and shapes.
Decorations generally convey a New
Year greeting. They are not
advertisements. Chinese calligraphy
Decorations posters show Chinese idioms. Other
decorations include a New year
picture, Chinese knots, and
papercutting and couplets.
Dragon and lion dances are common
during Chinese New Year. It is
believed that the loud beats of the
drum and the deafening sounds of the
Dragon dance and Lion dance cymbals together with the face of the
dragon or lion dancing aggressively
can evict bad or evil spirits. Lion
dances are also popular for opening
of businesses in Hong Kong.
Fortune gods Cai Shen Ye, Che Kung,etc.
Day of the Dead
Pan de muerto, traditionally
eaten on the holiday
Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican
Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and
friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration
occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1)
and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private
altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of
the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the
Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two actually have little
in common. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration, where partying is common.
Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands
of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl. In Brazil, Dia de
Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In
Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and
pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe and in the
Philippines, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.
Observance in Mexico
Families tidying and decorating graves at a cemetery in Almoloya del Río in the State of Mexico
Origins
The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous cultures. Rituals
celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as
2,500–3,000 years.[1] In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display
them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.
The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar,
about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were
dedicated to the god[2] known as the "Lady of the Dead", corresponding to the modern Catrina.
In most regions of Mexico, November 1 honors children and infants, whereas deceased adults are
honored on November 2. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1 mainly as Día de
los Inocentes ("Day of the Innocents") but also as Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Little Angels")
and November 2 as Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos ("Day of the Dead").[3]
Beliefs
People go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed and build private altars
containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of the departed. The
intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of
the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny
events and anecdotes about the departed.[3]
Plans for the day are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods to be offered to the
dead. During the three-day period, families usually clean and decorate graves;[2] most visit the
cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas ("offerings"),
which often include orange mexican marigolds (Tagetes erecta) called cempasúchitl (originally
named cempoalxochitl, Nahuatl for "twenty flowers").
In modern Mexico, this name is sometimes replaced with the term Flor de Muerto ("Flower of the
Dead"). These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.
Catrinas, one of the most popular figures of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico
Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or "the little angels"), and bottles of tequila,
mezcal or pulque or jars of atole for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's
favorite candies on the grave. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods such as candied
pumpkin, pan de muerto ("bread of the dead"), and sugar skulls and beverages such as atole. The
ofrendas are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased.[2] Some people believe
the spirits of the dead eat the "spiritual essence" of the ofrendas food, so even though the celebrators
eat the food after the festivities, they believe it lacks nutritional value. Pillows and blankets are left
out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns
of Mixquic, Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives. In
many places, people have picnics at the grave site as well.
Some families build altars or small shrines in their homes;[2] these usually have the Christian cross,
statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons,
scores of candles and an ofrenda. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar, praying
and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing,
so that when they dance, the noise will wake up the dead; some will also dress up as the deceased.
Public schools at all levels build altars with ofrendas, usually omitting the religious symbols.
Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as important to the
Mexican heritage.
Those with a distinctive talent for writing sometimes create short poems, called calaveras ("skulls"),
mocking epitaphs of friends, describing interesting habits and attitudes or funny anecdotes. This
custom originated in the 18th or 19th century, after a newspaper published a poem narrating a
dream of a cemetery in the future, "and all of us were dead", proceeding to "read" the tombstones.
Newspapers dedicate calaveras to public figures, with cartoons of skeletons in the style of the
famous calaveras of José Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican illustrator. Theatrical presentations of Don
Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla (1817–1893) are also traditional on this day.
A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants
represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"), and foods such as sugar or
chocolate skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls
are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de
muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits, often
decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.
José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure that he called La Calavera de la Catrina
("calavera of the female dandy") as a parody of a Mexican upper-class female. Posada's striking
image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead,
and Catrina figures often are a prominent part of modern Day of the Dead observances.
Gran calavera eléctrica ("Grand electric skull") by José Guadalupe Posada, 1900-1913
The traditions and activities that take place in celebration of the Day of the Dead are not universal
and often vary from town to town. For example, in the town of Pátzcuaro on the Lago de Pátzcuaro
in Michoacán, the tradition is very different if the deceased is a child rather than an adult. On
November 1 of the year after a child's death, the godparents set a table in the parents' home with
sweets, fruits, pan de muerto, a cross, a rosary (used to ask the Virgin Mary to pray for them) and
candles. This is meant to celebrate the child's life, in respect and appreciation for the parents. There
is also dancing with colorful costumes, often with skull-shaped masks and devil masks in the plaza
or garden of the town. At midnight on November 2, the people light candles and ride winged boats
called mariposas (Spanish for "butterflies") to Janitzio, an island in the middle of the lake where
there is a cemetery, to honor and celebrate the lives of the dead there.
In contrast, the town of Ocotepec, north of Cuernavaca in the State of Morelos, opens its doors to
visitors in exchange for veladoras (small wax candles) to show respect for the recently deceased. In
return, the visitors receive tamales and atole. This is only done by the owners of the house where
somebody in the household has died in the previous year. Many people of the surrounding areas
arrive early to eat for free and enjoy the elaborate altars set up to receive the visitors from Mictlán.
In some parts of the country (especially the cities, where in recent years there are displaced other
customs), children in costumes roam the streets, knocking on people's doors for a calaverita, a small
gift of candies or money; they also ask passersby for it. This custom is similar to that of
Halloween's trick-or-treating and is relatively recent.
Some people believe that possessing Day of the Dead items can bring good luck. Many people get
tattoos or have dolls of the dead to carry with them. They also clean their houses and prepare the
favorite dishes of their deceased loved ones to place upon their altar or ofrenda.
Observances outside Mexico
San Francisco's annual Day of the Dead celebration in Garfield Square
United States
In many American communities with Mexican populations, Day of the Dead celebrations are held
that are very similar to those held in Mexico. In some of these communities, such as in Texas[4] and
Arizona,[5] the celebrations tend to be mostly traditional. For example, the All Souls' Procession
has been an annual Tucson event since 1990. The event combines elements of traditional Day of the
Dead celebrations with those of pagan harvest festivals. People wearing masks carry signs honoring
the dead and an urn in which people can place slips of paper with prayers on them to be burned.[6]
In other communities, interactions between Mexican traditions and American culture are resulting
in celebrations in which Mexican traditions are being extended to make artistic or sometimes
political statements. For example, in Los Angeles, California, the Self Help Graphics & Art
Mexican-American cultural center presents an annual Day of the Dead celebration that includes
both traditional and political elements, such as altars to honor the victims of the Iraq War
highlighting the high casualty rate among Latino soldiers. An updated, inter-cultural version of the
Day of the Dead is also evolving at a cemetery near Hollywood.[7] There, in a mixture of Mexican
traditions and Hollywood hip, conventional altars are set up side-by-side with altars to Jayne
Mansfield and Johnny Ramone. Colorful native dancers and music intermix with performance
artists, while sly pranksters play on traditional themes.
Similar traditional and inter-cultural updating of Mexican celebrations is occurring in San
Francisco, for example, through the Galería de la Raza, SomArts Cultural Center, Mission Cultural
Center, de Young Museum and Garfield Square. Oakland is home to Corazon Del Pueblo in the
Fruitvale district. Corazon Del Pueblo has a shop offering handcrafted Mexican gifts and a museum
devoted to Day of the Dead artifacts.[8] In Missoula, Montana, skeletal celebrants on stilts, novelty
bicycles, and skis parade through town.[9] It also occurs annually at historic Forest Hills Cemetery
in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Sponsored by Forest Hills Educational Trust and the
folkloric performance group La Piñata, the Day of the Dead celebration celebrates the cycle of life
and death. People bring offerings of flowers, photos, mementos, and food for their departed loved
ones, which they place at an elaborately and colorfully decorated altar. A program of traditional
music and dance also accompanies the community event.
Guy Fawkes
Gunpowder Plot
Guy Fawkes
Details
Parents Edward Fawkes, Edith (née Blake or
Jackson)
Born 13 April 1570(1570-04-13) (presumed)
York, England
Alias(es) Guido Fawkes, John Johnson
Occupation Soldier; Alférez
Plot
Role Explosives
Enlisted 20 May 1604
Captured 5 November 1605
Charge(s) High treason
Conviction(s) Guilty
Penalty Hanged, drawn and quartered
Died 31 January 1606 (aged 35)
Westminster, London, England
Cause Hanged
Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted
while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, belonged to a group of provincial English
Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Fawkes was born and educated in York. His father died when Fawkes was eight years old, after
which his mother married a recusant Catholic. Fawkes later converted to Catholicism and left for
the continent, where he fought in the Eighty Years' War on the side of Catholic Spain against
Protestant Dutch reformators. He travelled to Spain to seek support for a Catholic rebellion in
England but was unsuccessful. He later met Thomas Wintour, with whom he returned to England.
Wintour introduced Fawkes to Robert Catesby, who planned to assassinate King James I and restore
a Catholic monarch to the throne. The plotters secured the lease to an undercroft beneath the House
of Lords, and Fawkes was placed in charge of the gunpowder they stockpiled there. Prompted by
the receipt of an anonymous letter, the authorities searched Westminster Palace during the early
hours of 5 November, and found Fawkes guarding the explosives. Over the next few days, he was
questioned and tortured, and eventually he broke. Immediately before his execution on 31 January,
Fawkes jumped from the scaffold where he was to be hanged and broke his neck, thus avoiding the
agony of the drawing and quartering that would have followed.
Fawkes became synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, which has been commemorated in England
since 5 November 1605. His effigy is burned on a bonfire, often accompanied by a firework display.
Military career
In October 1591 Fawkes sold the estate in Clifton that he had inherited from his father.[nb 4] He
travelled to the continent to fight in the Eighty Years War for Catholic Spain against the new Dutch
Republic and, from 1595 until the Peace of Vervins in 1598, France. Although England was not by
then engaged in land operations against Spain, the two countries were still at war, and the Spanish
Armada of 1588 was only five years in the past. He joined Sir William Stanley, an English Catholic
and veteran commander in his mid-fifties who had raised an army in Ireland to fight in Leicester's
expedition to the Netherlands. Stanley had been held in high regard by Elizabeth I, but following his
surrender of Deventer to the Spanish in 1587 he, and most of his troops, had switched sides to serve
Spain. Fawkes became an alférez or junior officer, fought well at the siege of Calais in 1596, and by
1603 had been recommended for a captaincy.[3] That year, he travelled to Spain to seek support for
a Catholic rebellion in England. He used the occasion to adopt the Italian version of his name,
Guido, and in his memorandum described James I as "a heretic", who intended "to have all of the
Papist sect driven out of England." He denounced Scotland, and the King's favourites among the
Scottish nobles, writing "it will not be possible to reconcile these two nations, as they are, for very
long".[12] Although he was received politely, the court of Philip III was unwilling to offer him any
support.[13]
Gunpowder Plot
A contemporary engraving of eight of the thirteen conspirators, by Crispijn van de Passe. Fawkes is
third from the right.
In 1604 Fawkes became involved with a small group of English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby,
who planned to assassinate the Protestant King James and replace him with his daughter, third in the
line of succession, Princess Elizabeth.[14][15] Fawkes was described by the Jesuit priest and former
school friend Oswald Tesimond as "pleasant of approach and cheerful of manner, opposed to
quarrels and strife ... loyal to his friends". Tesimond also claimed Fawkes was "a man highly skilled
in matters of war", and that it was this mixture of piety and professionalism which endeared him to
his fellow conspirators.[3] The author Antonia Fraser describes Fawkes as "a tall, powerfully built
man, with thick reddish-brown hair, a flowing moustache in the tradition of the time, and a bushy
reddish-brown beard", and that he was "a man of action ... capable of intelligent argument as well as
physical endurance, somewhat to the surprise of his enemies."[4]
Fawkes's first meeting with Catesby took place on Sunday 20 May 1604, at an inn called the Duck
and Drake, in the fashionable Strand district of London.[nb 5] Catesby had already proposed at an
earlier meeting with Thomas Wintour and John Wright to kill the King and his government by
blowing up "the Parliament House with gunpowder". Wintour, who at first objected to the plan, was
convinced by Catesby to travel to the continent to seek help. Wintour met with the Constable of
Castile, the exiled Welsh spy Hugh Owen,[17] and Sir William Stanley, who said that Catesby
would receive no support from Spain. Owen did, however, introduce Wintour to Fawkes, who had
by then been away from England for many years, and thus was largely unknown in the country.
Wintour and Fawkes were contemporaries; each was militant, and had first-hand experience of the
unwillingness of the Spaniards to help. Wintour told Fawkes of their plan to "doe some whatt in
Ingland if the pece with Spaine healped us nott",[3] and thus in April 1604 the two men returned to
England.[16] Wintour's news did not surprise Catesby; despite positive noises from the Spanish
authorities, he feared that "the deeds would nott answere".[nb 6]
One of the conspirators, Thomas Percy was promoted in June 1604, gaining access to a house in
London which belonged to John Whynniard, Keeper of the King's Wardrobe. Fawkes was installed
as a caretaker and began using the pseudonym John Johnson, servant to Percy.[19] The
contemporaneous account of the prosecution (taken from Thomas Wintour's confession)[20]
claimed that the conspirators attempted to dig a tunnel from beneath Whynniard's house to
Parliament, although this story may have been a government fabrication; no evidence for the
existence of a tunnel was presented by the prosecution, and no trace of one has ever been found.
Fawkes did not admit the existence of such a scheme until his fifth interrogation, but even then he
could not locate the tunnel.[21] If the story is true, however, by December 1604 the conspirators
were busy tunnelling from their rented house to the House of Lords. They ceased their efforts when,
during tunnelling, they heard a noise from above. Fawkes was sent out to investigate, and returned
with the news that the tenant's widow was clearing out a nearby undercroft, directly beneath the
House of Lords.[3][22]
The plotters purchased the lease to the room, which also belonged to John Whynniard. Unused and
filthy, it was considered an ideal hiding place for the gunpowder the plotters planned to store
there.[23] According to Fawkes, 20 barrels of gunpowder were brought in at first, followed by
16 more on 20 July.[24] On 28 July however, the ever-present threat of the plague delayed the
opening of Parliament until Tuesday, 5 November.[25]
Overseas
In an attempt to gain foreign support, in May 1605 Fawkes travelled overseas and informed Hugh
Owen of the plotters' plan.[26] At some point during this trip his name made its way into the files of
Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, who employed a network of spies across Europe. One of these
spies, Captain William Turner, may have been responsible. Although the information he provided to
Salisbury usually amounted to no more than a vague pattern of invasion reports, and included
nothing which regarded the Gunpowder Plot, on 21 April he told how Fawkes was to be brought by
Tesimond to England. Fawkes was a well known Flemish mercenary, and would be introduced to
"Mr Catesby" and "honourable friends of the nobility and others who would have arms and horses
in readiness".[27] Turner's report did not, however, mention Fawkes's pseudonym in England, John
Johnson, and did not reach Cecil until late in November, well after the plot had been
discovered.[3][28]
It is uncertain when Fawkes returned to England, but he was back in London by late August 1605,
when he and Wintour discovered that the gunpowder stored in the undercroft had decayed. More
gunpowder was brought into the room, along with firewood to conceal it.[29] Fawkes's final role in
the plot was settled during a series of meetings in October. He was to light the fuse and then escape
across the Thames. Simultaneously, a revolt in the Midlands would help to ensure the capture of
Princess Elizabeth. Acts of regicide were frowned upon, and Fawkes would therefore head to the
continent, where he would explain to the Catholic powers his holy duty to kill the King and his
retinue.[30]
Discovery
Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot (c. 1823), Henry Perronet Briggs
A few of the conspirators were concerned about fellow Catholics who would be present at
Parliament during the opening.[31] On the evening of 26 October, Lord Monteagle received an
anonymous letter warning him to stay away, and to "retyre youre self into yowre contee whence
yow maye expect the event in safti for ... they shall receyve a terrible blowe this parleament".[32]
Despite quickly becoming aware of the letter – informed by one of Monteagle's servants – the
conspirators resolved to continue with their plans, as it appeared that it "was clearly thought to be a
hoax".[33] Fawkes checked the undercroft on 30 October, and reported that nothing had been
disturbed.[34] Monteagle's suspicions had been aroused however, and the letter was shown to King
James. The King ordered Sir Thomas Knyvet to conduct a search of the cellars underneath
Parliament, which he did in the early hours of 5 November. Fawkes had taken up his station late on
the previous night, armed with a slow match and a watch given to him by Percy "becaus he should
knowe howe the time went away".[3] He was found leaving the cellar, shortly after midnight, and
arrested. Inside, the barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden under piles of firewood and
coal.[35]
Torture
Fawkes gave his name as John Johnson and was first interrogated by members of the King's Privy
Chamber, where he remained defiant. When asked by one of the lords what he was doing in
possession of so much gunpowder, Fawkes answered that his intention was "to blow you Scotch
beggars back to your native mountains."[36] He identified himself as a 36-year-old Catholic from
Netherdale in Yorkshire, and gave his father's name as Thomas and his mother's as Edith Jackson.
Wounds on his body noted by his questioners he explained as the effects of pleurisy. Fawkes
admitted his intention to blow up the House of Lords, and expressed regret at his failure to do so.
His steadfast manner earned him the admiration of King James, who described Fawkes as
possessing "a Roman resolution".[37]
James's admiration did not, however, prevent him from ordering on 6 November that "John
Johnson" be tortured, to reveal the names of his co-conspirators.[38] He directed that the torture be
light at first, referring to the use of manacles, but more severe if necessary, authorising the use of
the rack: "the gentler Tortures are to be first used unto him et sic per gradus ad ima
tenditur".[36][39] Fawkes was transferred to the Tower of London. The King composed a list of
questions to be put to "Johnson", such as "as to what he is, For I can never yet hear of any man that
knows him", "When and where he learned to speak French?", and "If he was a Papist, who brought
him up in it?"[40] The room in which Fawkes was interrogated subsequently became known as the
Guy Fawkes Room.[41]
Fawkes's signature after torture. "Guido" is a barely evident scrawl, compared to his earlier
signature of "Guido Fawkes".
Sir William Waad, Lieutenant of the Tower, supervised the torture and obtained Fawkes's
confession.[36] He searched his prisoner, and found a letter, addressed to Guy Fawkes. To Waad's
surprise, "Johnson" remained silent, revealing nothing about the plot or its authors.[42] On the night
of 6 November he spoke with Waad, who reported to Salisbury "He [Johnson] told us that since he
undertook this action he did every day pray to God he might perform that which might be for the
advancement of the Catholic Faith and saving his own soul". According to Waad, Fawkes managed
to rest through the night, despite his being warned that he would be interrogated until "I had gotton
the inwards secret of his thoughts and all his complices".[43] His composure was broken at some
point during the following day.[44]
The observer Sir Edward Hoby remarked "Since Johnson's being in the Tower, he beginneth to
speak English". Fawkes revealed his true identity on 7 November, and told his interrogators that
there were five people involved in the plot to kill the King. He began to reveal their names on
8 November, and told how they intended to place Princess Elizabeth on the throne. His third
confession, on 9 November, implicated Francis Tresham. Following the Ridolfi plot of 1571
prisoners were made to dictate their confessions, before copying and signing them, if they still
could.[45] Although it is uncertain if he was subjected to the horrors of the rack, Fawkes's signature,
little more than a scrawl, bears testament to the suffering he endured at the hands of his
interrogators.[46]
Trial and execution
The trial of eight of the plotters began on Monday 27 January 1606. Fawkes shared the barge from
the Tower to Westminster Hall with seven of his co-conspirators.[nb 7] They were kept in the Star
Chamber before being taken to Westminster Hall, where they were displayed on a purpose-built
scaffold. The King and his close family, watching in secret, were among the spectators as the Lords
Commissioners read out the list of charges. Fawkes was identified as Guido Fawkes, "otherwise
called Guido Johnson". He pleaded not guilty, despite his apparent acceptance of guilt from the
moment he was captured.[48]
A 1606 etching by Claes (Nicolaes) Jansz Visscher, depicting Fawkes's execution
The outcome was never in doubt. The jury found all of the defendants guilty, and the Lord Chief
Justice Sir John Popham proclaimed them guilty of high treason.[49] The Attorney General Sir
Edward Coke told the court that each of the condemned would be drawn backwards to his death, by
a horse, his head near the ground. They were to be "put to death halfway between heaven and earth
as unworthy of both". Their genitals would be cut off and burnt before their eyes, and their bowels
and hearts removed. They would then be decapitated, and the dismembered parts of their bodies
displayed so that they might become "prey for the fowls of the air".[50] Fawkes's and Tresham's
testimony regarding the Spanish treason was read aloud, as well as confessions related specifically
to the Gunpowder Plot. The last piece of evidence offered was a conversation between Fawkes and
Wintour, who had been kept in adjacent cells. The two men apparently thought they had been
speaking in private, but their conversation was intercepted by a government spy. When the
prisoners were allowed to speak, Fawkes explained his not guilty plea as ignorance of certain
aspects of the indictment.[51]
On 31 January 1606, Fawkes and three others – Thomas Wintour, Ambrose Rookwood, and Robert
Keyes – were dragged from the Tower on wattled hurdles to the Old Palace Yard at Westminster,
opposite the building they had attempted to destroy.[52] His fellow plotters were hanged, drawn and
quartered. Fawkes was the last to stand on the scaffold. He asked for forgiveness of the King and
state, while keeping up his "crosses and idle ceremonies", and aided by the hangman began to climb
the ladder to the noose. Although weakened by torture, Fawkes managed to jump from the gallows,
breaking his neck in the fall and thus avoiding the agony of the latter part of his execution.[36][53]
His lifeless body was nevertheless drawn and quartered,[54] and as was the custom,[55] his body
parts were then distributed to "the four corners of the kingdom", to be displayed as a warning to
other would-be traitors.[56]
Legacy
Procession of a Guy (1864)
On 5 November 1605 Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King's escape from assassination
by lighting bonfires, "always provided that 'this testemonye of joy be careful done without any
danger or disorder'".[3] An Act of Parliament[nb 8] designated each 5 November as a day of
thanksgiving for "the joyful day of deliverance", and remained in force until 1859.[57] Although he
was only one of 13 conspirators, Fawkes is today the individual most associated with the failed
Plot.[58]
In England, 5 November has variously been called Guy Fawkes Night, Guy Fawkes Day and
Bonfire Night; the latter can be traced directly back to the original celebration of 5 November
1605.[59] Bonfires were accompanied by fireworks from the 1650s onwards, and it became the
custom to burn an effigy (usually the Pope) after 1673, when the heir presumptive, James, Duke of
York made his conversion to Catholicism public.[3] Effigies of other notable figures who have
become targets for the public's ire, such as Paul Kruger and Margaret Thatcher, have also found
their way onto the bonfires, although most modern effigies are of Fawkes.[57] The "guy" is
normally created by children, from old clothes, newspapers, and a mask.[57] During the
19th century, "guy" came to mean an oddly dressed person, but in American English it lost any
pejorative connotation, and was used to refer to any male person.[57][60]
William Harrison Ainsworth's 1841 historical romance Guy Fawkes; or, The Gunpowder Treason,
portrays Fawkes in a generally sympathetic light,[61] and transformed him in the public perception
into an "acceptable fictional character". Fawkes subsequently appeared as "essentially an action
hero" in children's books and penny dreadfuls such as The Boyhood Days of Guy Fawkes; or, The
Conspirators of Old London, published in about 1905.[62] Fawkes is sometimes referred to,
jokingly, as "the only man ever to enter Parliament with honest intentions".[63]
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...
The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in February end
or early March. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over
'bad'. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renew sweet relationships. On this day,
people hug and wish each other 'Happy Holi.'. Holi celebration begins with lighting up of
bonfire on the Holi eve. Numerous legends & stories associated with
Holi celebration makes the festival more exuberant and vivid. People
rub 'gulal' and 'abeer' on each others' faces and cheer up saying,
"bura na maano Holi hai". Holi also gives a wonderful chance to send
blessings and love to dear ones wrapped in a special Holi gift.
History of Holi
Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known
as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early
religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras
and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Historians also believe that Holi
was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of
India.
It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ.
However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have
changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed
by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was
worshiped.
Calculating the Day of Holi
There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first
day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is
more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days.
According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new
year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of
Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring
season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-
Mahotsava.
Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions
Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and
Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription
belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it.
King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the
7th century.
The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical
memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only
celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.
Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals
The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century
panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The
painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris
to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.
A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It
shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors
with pichkaris.
There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a
pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with
his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the
center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker
and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him.
Legends and Mythology
In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the
birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the
word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most
prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap.
Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great
disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap
commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon
whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the
boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires,
while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore,
celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.
Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of
play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play
gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.
There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and
Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil -
lending a philosophy to the festival.
Rituals of Holi
Rituals of the ancient festival of Holi are religiously followed
every year with care and enthusiasm.
Preparations
Days before the festival people start gathering wood for the
lighting of the bonfire called Holika at the major crossroads of
the city. This ensures that at the time of the actual celebration
a huge pile of wood is collected.
Holika Dahan Celebrations
Then on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. Effigy of
Holika, the devil minded sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap is placed in the wood and burnt.
For, Holika tried to kill Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. The
ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee.
Children also hurl abuses at Holika and pray pranks, as if they still try to chase away Dhundhi who
once troubled little ones in the Kingdom of Prithu. Some people also take embers from the fire to
their homes to rekindle their own domestic fires.
Play of Colors
Next day, is of course the main day of Holi celebrations. The day is called Dhuleti
and it is on this day that the actual play of colours take place. There is no tradition of holding puja
and is meant for pure enjoyment.
The tradition of playing colours is particularly rampant in north India and even in that region, there
can be no comparison to the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan. In Maharashtra and Gujarat too Holi
is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and fun.
People take extreme delight in spraying colour water on each other with pichkaris or pouring
buckets and buckets of it. Singing Bollywood Holi numbers and dancing on the beat of dholak is
also a part of the tradition. Amidst all this activity people relish gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other
traditional Holi delicacies with great joy.
Drinks, specially thandai laced with bhang is also an intrinsic part of the Holi festivity. Bhang helps
to further enhance the spirit of the occasion but if taken in excess it might dampen it also. So
caution should be taken while consuming it.
Holi Celebrations in South India
In south India, however, people follow the tradition of worshiping Kaamadeva, the love god of
Indian mythology. People have faith in the legend which speak about the great sacrifice of
Kaamadeva when he shot his love arrow on Lord Shiva to break his meditation and evoke his
interest in worldly affairs.
After, an eventful and funfilled day people become a little sober in the evening and greet friends
and relatives by visiting them and exchange sweets. Holi special get togethers are also organised by
various cultural organisations to generate harmony and brotherhood in the society.
Happy Holi
The trees smile with their sprout
of tender leaves and blooming flowers,
Eternal nature with its transient expression.
Hails spring with ecstasy and joy!
Bewildering shades with so many tinge.
The land of beauty and greatness,
India, witnessing color of happiness and peace.
Nation come alive to enjoy the spirit
A celebration of color- Holi!
An experience of content, harmony and delight.
Holika burns amidst merriment and mirth.
Evil overpowered by love and devotion.
A festival to commemorate 'Ras Lila'-
an enduring love saga of Radha and Krishna.
Gulal - red, green, yellow and countless.
A day's canvas - a riot of colors.
Lively crowd running hither and thither,
Rainbow of colors, dashing from every nook and corner.
Disregarding their woe and despair fervent folks,
rejoicing at the marvel of colors.
A day filled with luster and gaiety,
A day to smear our dreams-
With a splash of vibrant frenzy colors.
Holi Hai! A spring of unbounded fun and frolic!!
Environmental Impact
An alleged environmental issue related to the celebration of Holi is the traditional Holika Dahan
bonfire, which is believed to contribute to deforestation. A local tabloid had a view published that
30,000 bonfires each burning approximately 100 kg of wood are lit in one season.[15] Several
methods of preventing this consumption of wood have been proposed, including the replacement of
wood with waste material or lighting of a single fire per community, rather than multiple smaller
fires. However, the idea of lighting waste material antagonizes large sections of a certain
community who take it as a Western attack to their cultures and traditions citing several examples
of similar festivities elsewhere. There is also concern about the large scale wastage of water and
water-pollution due to synthetic colors during Holi celebration.
Songkran
Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand,
which are many, the Songkran Festival is
the most striking, for it is widely observed
not only in this country but also in Burma,
Cambodia and the Lao State.
Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai form
which means the entry of the sun into any
sign of the Zodiac. But the Songkran in this
particular instance is when the sun enters
the sign of Aries or the Ram. Its full name is
Maha Songkran or Major Songkran to
distinguish it from the other ones. But the
people call it simply the Songkran for it is the only one they know and in which they take interest. It
is their traditional New Year when they can enjoy their holidays to the full with no economic
hindrance. Songkran is a fixable feast on the solar calender. It begins on the 13th April and ends on
the 15th April, but occasionally in certain years on the 16th April. The Songkran is in fact the
celebration of the vernal equinox similar to those
of the Indian Holi Festival, the Chinese Ching
Ming, and the Christian Festival of Easter. The
beginning of spring when the sun crosses the
equator is now on the 21st of March which is due
to the precession of the equinox. The Songkran
Festival is in a certain sense like April Fool's
Day, when the maids of the village play pranks
on any gallant who happens to pass by their way.
He will be caught and bound by the united
strength of the maids and they will daub him with
blacking.
Origins of Songkran
Friday, 23 February 2007 01:35 National Culture Commission
There was once a young man who was prodigious in learning. He understood even the language of
the birds. This excited the jealousy of Kabil Maha Phrom, one of the gods of a higher heavenly
realm. He came down to meet the young man and posed him three sphinx-like riddles with the
wager that if the young man failed to give the right answers within seven days, he would lose his
head but if he succeeded, the god himself would give his own. Like all folk tales the young man was
at first at his wit's end to answer such difficult riddles and he repaired to a certain place in order to
kill himself rather than face defeat.
He stopped at the foot of a tall tree at the top of which was an aerie. By chance he heard the mother
eagle comforting her eaglets who cried for more food, that they would be gratified soon by feasting
on the body of the young man who would fail to solve the riddles. She then related the story of the
wager between the god and the young man, and in answer to her children's question the mother
eagle satisfied them with the right answers to those three riddles. The young man availed himself of
this information and on the appointed day he gave the god the three right answers.
The god, as was the case in such tales, lost the wager and himself cut off his own head. His head
was a terrible one for if it touched the earth there would be a universal conflagration and if it fell
into the sea, the sea would dry up through its intense heat. The god's head therefore was deposited
in a certain cave in the heavens. Every new year that is on Songkran Day one of the god's seven
daughters in turn will carry her father's head in procession with millions of other gods and
goddesses circumambulating like the sun round the Meru, the Buddhist Olympian Mount. After that
there are feasts among the celestial beings who enjoyed themselves with drinks made from the juice
of the chamunad creeper. The god's head was taken back to the cave after the feast, to be taken out
again on Songkran day the next year.
On the eve of Songkran Day, i.e. on the 12th April, the people clean their house and burn all the
refuse. This is a Spring Cleaning Day done as a duty in the belief that anything bad belonging to the
old year will be unlucky to the owner if left and carried on to the coming New Year. It is something
like a Public Health Cleaning Day but backed by traditional belief has proved more effective to
emotional people than prosaic reason.
Early on the first day of Songkran, the 13th April, the people both young and old in their new
clothing go to the Wat or monastery belonging to their village or district to offer food to the monks
there. A long table is erected in the compound of the wat where monk's alms bowls stand in a row
on either side of the table. Into the alms bowls the gathering people put boiled rice and into the
covers of the alms bowls, food, fruits and sweetmeats. Such a performance can be seen at wats
outside Bangkok on Songkran Day. While the monks partake of their feast, music sometimes is
played to celebrate the occasion.
In the afternoon of the same day there is bathing ceremony of the Buddha images and also of the
abbot of the wat. After this begins the well-known "water throwing feast". The bathing of images is
done as ritualistic ceremony, but it is no other than a New Year's purification. Younger people will
also on this day or the succeeding days go to pay their respect to and ask blessings from their elders
and respected persons. They will pour scented water into the palms of the old people and present
them with a towel and other bathing requisites.
Another duty to be done during the Songkran Festival is a religious service called Bangsakun
performed in sacred memory to the dead. When a person died and was cremated, the ashes and
charred bones of common people were buried at the root of a sacred fig-tree in a wat. Such trees are
to be found in the grounds of almost every wat. It is a symbol of the Lord Buddha's enlightenment
for under such a tree did Buddha sit in meditation and receive his enlightenment. If a person is able
to erect a Pra Chedi or pagoda in the wat the ashes and bones are then deposited in it. In later times
a portion of the bones was sometimes kept in the house in a receptacle. On Songkran Day a
religious service in sacred memory to the dead may be officiated by a monk or monks at the place
where the ashes and the bones have been deposited, or as in some localities the people bring their
dead bones to a village wat in company with others where a joint memorial service is performed. In
some parts of the country the guardian spirits of the village and town receive also their annual
offerings on Songkran Days. Obviously there are reminiscences or traces of ancestor and animistic
worship in by-gone days.
Although Songkran officially starts on the 13th April, some people like to get the festivities off to
an early start. After all, four days isn't usually enough time for a water fight. The pictures on the
following pages were taken while I was having a break from the fun. I went around in a car for a
couple of hours to try and give you a feeling of what it is like on the streets. All of these pictures
were taken in Paknam in Samut Prakan. Most provinces would be the same as this.
On the morning of April 13th, which is the first day of Songkran, I went to watch a parade in Paknam City.
There were hundreds of people lined up on each side of the road as the floats and processions passed by. It
was very hot watching the parade but we were cooled down with people squirting water at us and even
poring cold water down our necks!
The first float to pass us was for Nang Songkran (Miss Songkran). You can tell the exact time and date for
the start of songkran by which animal she is upon. This year is was a tiger.
Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day)
.
Koninginnedag
Dancing people dressed in orange on the canals of
Amsterdam during Queen's Day in 2007
Observed by Kingdom of the Netherlands
Type National holiday
Date 30 April
Children's games , flea market,
Celebrations
music concerts
Official Birthday of Queen
Related to
Beatrix of the Netherlands (the
actual Birthday of her mother and
predecessor Queen Juliana)
Koninginnedag ( pronunciation (help·info)) or Queen's Day is a national holiday in the
Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Aruba on 30 April or on 29 April if the 30th is a Sunday.
Queen's Day celebrates the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands and is supposed to be a day of
national unity and "togetherness" (Dutch: saamhorigheid). The tradition started on 31 August 1885,
on the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, later Queen Wilhelmina. Since 1949, after the accession of
Queen Juliana, Queen's Day is Queen Juliana's birthday on 30 April. Although Queen Beatrix's
birthday is on 31 January, she officially celebrates her birthday on 30 April.
Queen's Day is known for its "freemarket" (Dutch: vrijmarkt) all over the country, where everybody
is allowed to sell things in the streets. Other activities during Queen's Day are children's games,
individual musical performances, and music concerts. The night before Queen's Day is celebrated
too in most cities, and this is called Queen's Night (Dutch: Koninginnenacht). The largest
celebration of Queen's Day is in Amsterdam, Queen's Night in The Hague and Queen's Dance
(Dutch: Koninginnedans) in Rotterdam. During the celebrations as reference to the colours of the
House of Orange-Nassau, people dress in the colour orange, which is sometimes called "orange
craze" (Dutch: oranjegekte).
History
Queen's Day on August 31, 1932 in Amsterdam
Queen Wilhelmina's birthday celebrations were the first Queen's Days in the Netherlands
The present-day celebration of Queen's Day was originally intended by the Liberal Union to be a
day of national unity in the Netherlands. It started with the celebration of the birthday of Princess
Wilhelmina on 31 August 1885. From 1885 to 1890 the celebration was therefore called
Prinsessedag or Princess' Day, until the Coronation of Wilhelmina in 1890. Since 31 August 1891,
the celebration was called Koninginnedag or Queen's Day. The day was not only the birthday of the
Queen, but also the last day of the summer vacation, which made the celebrations popular with
children. Unlike her successors, Queen Wilhelmina almost never attended festivities on Queen's
Day.[1][2]
In September 1948 Queen Juliana ascended to the Dutch throne and from 1949 onwards Queen's
Day was on her birthday on 30 April. When 30 April is a Sunday, Queen's Day is celebrated on 29
April.[3] On this day, Queen Juliana received a flower tribute at Soestdijk Palace, where she lived.[1]
The Queen and her family would stand on a dais and a long line of citizens would walk past,
congratulating her and presenting her gifts and flowers.[citation needed] The parade was broadcast on
national television from the 1950s. When more and more people received a day off from their work,
Queen's Day became a national holiday of togetherness (Dutch: samenhorigheid).[1]
Queen Beatrix speaks with the mayor of The Hague Wim Deetman in Scheveningen during Queen's
Day in 2005
When Queen Beatrix succeeded her mother Queen Juliana on 30 April 1980, she decided to keep
the holiday on 30 April as a tribute to her mother.[1] Furthermore for practical reasons, the weather
on her own birthday in the winter on 31 January tends to prohibit the traditional outdoor festivities,
while 30 April normally has better weather. In contrast to her mother, Juliana, Beatrix decided to go
into the country to meet the people, rather than receiving people at her residence. Since her
ascension to the throne, Queen Beatrix and her family visit one, two, or sometimes three places on
Queen's day,[4] where she is shown regional versions of traditional Dutch dances and
demonstrations of old crafts. In 2001, the Queen's Day visits of the Royal Family were canceled as
there was worry about maintaining the quarantine measures to control an ongoing outbreak of foot-
and-mouth disease.[5] Queen Beatrix has visited the following cities over the years on Queen's
Day:[4]
Orange
People dressed in orange in Amsterdam during Queen's Day in 2007
This is a typical occasion for oranjegekte (orange craze), when the colour orange is a ubiquitous
sight, referring to the name of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange. There are orange
banners, orange-colored foods and drinks, and extreme amounts of orange clothing and creative
accessories are worn as well. Sometimes even the water in fountains is dyed orange. It is not
uncommon for people to impersonate the queen, not always in a flattering manner.
Of course there are also people who are dressed in the national colours red, white and blue.
Freemarket
Freemarket in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam
The so-called 'vrijmarkt' ('freemarket') is similar to a nationwide car boot sale or flea market. Owing
to a holiday dispensation from the Dutch government, people do not need to pay taxes on their
sales. Many people set up stalls or blankets in parks, on sidewalks and even on the roads themselves
(cars are banned on some streets). The items sold are traditionally secondhand discards, but for
commercial traders this is also an extremely profitable day. ING bank has estimated the size of the
trade in 2007 at about 200 million euros, with the approximately 1.8 million sellers making 111
euros each, on average. The freemarket in Amsterdam attracts the most visitors.
The sign says 'overthrow the royal house', referring to the pictures of the royal family on the pile of
boxes one can throw balls at
Typically, many children sell their cast-off toys and clothes while entrepreneurs sell food, beverages
and a wide range of items. Prices tend to be negotiable and drop as the day progresses. By the end
of the festivities, much of the unsold merchandise is left on the streets to be picked over until it is
removed by local municipalities shortly after. In Amsterdam, the main streets in the city centre are
increasingly being taken over by commercial traders, pushing the intended car boot sales out
towards smaller streets and the centre's outer ring.
There are, however, some areas where the original style is preserved. One of these is the Jordaan, a
gentrified former working class neighbourhood, where prices are very low because the sale is
second to spending a pleasant day and a friendly chat with complete strangers. Sections of the
Jordaan can become so full of pedestrian traffic that they become completely gridlocked, despite the
absence of cars. Another is the Vondelpark, which is officially reserved for children. Especially
there, but also elsewhere, there are many other activities besides the selling of secondhand goods,
such as the performing of music or other entertainment for money.
Utrecht has a unique "vrijmarkt"; at 18:00 on the evening before "Koninginnedag" the sales booths
are set up in the streets and operate throughout the night and the next day. It is the only city that has
a 24-hour "vrijmarkt". The entire central area is car-free and packed with people.
Open-air concerts
In recent years, Koninginnedag has become more and more of an open-air party, with many
concerts and special events in public spaces, particularly in Amsterdam, which attracts anywhere
from 500,000 to 800,000 visitors. Many Dutch people living abroad try to make the pilgrimage
home (with many 'clued-up' tourists) to experience this holiday each year. Booking
accommodations in Amsterdam and elsewhere for Queen's Day is notoriously difficult, requiring
booking 6 months or more ahead.
A concert of the Dutch band Leaf in The Hague during Queen's Night in 2008
Queen's Night
During the preceding 'koninginnenacht' (Queen's Night) many bars and clubs throughout the
Netherlands (particularly in Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague) hold special events catering to
revelers that last all night long. This tradition started in the early nineties when pre-Koninginnedag
riots were an increasing problem in The Hague. The idea of convincing the rioters that a celebration
is a much better way to spend 'Koninginnenach' (without the 't', as it's pronounced locally), proved
successful. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Vasanta (Basant) (Ritu)
Vasanta (Sanskrit: वसन्तः, Hindi: बसंत, Punjabi: ਬਸਨ) is one of the six ritus (seasons)
corresponding to spring[1].
It is also short for Vasanta Panchami (Sanskrit: वसन्त पञ्चमी), an Indian festival celebrated every
year on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Hindu month Magh (January-February), the first day of
spring.
Some of the Indian festivals have a seasonal and cultural significance, in addition to a religious
significance (which can vary depend on the specific tradition), and are thus often celebrated by non-
Hindus also in some form. These include Holi and Diwali in addition to Basant. Amir Khusro
(1253-1325 CE) has composed songs using the word Basant (festival), and Nizamuddin Auliya used
to join him in celebrating Basants of Sufis.[2].
Origin of Vasanta
In sanskrit Vasanta means spring and Panchami is the fifth day of the fortnight of waxing moon
(Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Magh, January-February of English calendar.
In the Vedas the day of Vasanta Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati. It is not a national
holiday in India but the schools are closed and the students participate in decoration and
arrangement of the worship place. A few weeks before the celebration, schools become active in
organizing various annual competitions of music, debate, sports and other activities. Prizes are
distributed on the day of Vasanta Panchami. Many schools organize cultural activities in the
evening of the Saraswati Puja day when parents and other community members attend the functions
to encourage the children. Sarasvati is the goddess of learning. Sarasvati bestows the greatest wealth
to humanity, the wealth of knowledge.
In the Vedas the prayer for Sarasvati depicts her as a white lady in white dress bedecked with white
flowers and white pearls, sitting on a white lotus, which is blooming in a wide stretch of water. She
holds Veena, a string-instrument, like Sitar, for playing music. The prayer finally concludes, "Oh
Mother Sarasvati remove the darkness (ignorance) of my mind and bless me with the eternal
knowledge." The Vedas describe Sarasvati as a water deity, goddess of a river of the same name.
According to popular belief Sarasvati, originating from the Himalayas, flowed southeast, ultimately
meeting the Ganges at Prayag, near the confluence of Yamuna. Hence the place is called Triveni. In
due time this course of water petered away.
The mythological history of Sarasvati associates her with the holy rituals performed on the banks of
the river Sarasvati. She is worshipped as a goddess of speech, attributed to the formation of Vach
(words), invention of Sanskrit language and composition of hymns. [3]
Vasant in Punjab (India)
Vasant is known as Basant Panchami in Punjab and Haryana. It heralds the advent of spring. Fields
of mustard present a colourful sight all over rural Punjab. The Basant fair is held in many villages of
the Punjab. People put on yellow costumes appropriate to the season and eat boiled rice dyed in
safron.[4] Symbolizing greenery and reproduction, the event signifies sprouting of tender leaves and
also filled-up granary with the recently-harvested crops. [5]
It is traditional to fly kites on Basant. The phrase "Ayi Basant Pala Udant" (with the onset of spring
season, winter bids adieu) holds true at this time of the year. [6]
Vasanta and Sufi Culture
Sufis are credited for bringing the festival into the Muslim pantheon in the Indian subcontinent. By
the Mughal period, Basant was a popular festival at the major Sufi shrines. We have, for example,
mentions of Nizam Auliya ki Basant, Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki ki Basant, Khusrau ki Basant; festivals
arranged around the shrines of these various sufi saints. Khusrau, the famous sufi-poet of the
thirteenth century, even composed verses on Basant:
Aaj basant manaalay, suhaagan, Aaj basant manaalay
Anjan manjan kar piya mori, lambay neher lagaalay
Tu kya sovay neend ki maasi,
So jaagay teray bhaag, suhaagun, Aaj basant manaalay.
Oonchi naar kay oonchay chitvan,
Ayso diyo hai banaaye
Shah Amir tuhay dekhan ko, nainon say naina milaaye,
Suhaagun, aaj basant manaalay.
Translation:
Celebrate basant today, O bride, Celebrate basant today
Apply kajal to your eyes, and decorate your long hair
Oh why are you the servant of sleep?
Even your fate is wide awake, Celebrate basant today
O high lady with high looks,
That is how you were made
When the king looks at you, your eyes meet his eyes,
O Bride, Celebrate basant today
Another historic account is given in the book Punjab Under the Later Mughals. According to this
book, when Zakariya Khan (1707-1759) was the governor of Punjab, a Hindu of Sialkot, by the
name of Haqeeqat Rai Bakhmal Puri spoke words of disrespect for the Prophet Muhammad and his
daughter Fatima due to teasing by Muslim boys. He was arrested and sent to Lahore to await trial.
The court, gave him capital punishment. The Hindu population was stirred to request Zakariya
Khan to lift the death sentence given to Haqeeqat Rai but he did not accede to their request.
Eventually the death penalty was carried out and the entire Hindu population went into mourning.
As a tribute to the memory of this child, a prosperous Hindu, Kalu Ram initiated the Basant 'mela'
in (Marrhi) Kot Khwaja Saeed (Khoje Shahi) in Lahore. (This place is now known as Baway di
marrhi.) It is the last stop on the route of Wagon no. 60 from Bhati Gate. Dr. B.S. Nijjar states on
Page no. 279 of his book that the Basant 'mela' is celebrated in memory of Hakeekat Rai. [7]
Vasanta in Pakistan
Being the historic capital of Punjab Basant is celebrated with as much vigour and enthusiasm as the
ancient city of Lahore. Although traditionally it was a festival confined to the old-walled city it has
spread all through out the city. Other cities in which Basant is mainly celebrated are Gujranwala,
Faisalabad, Jhelum, Sialkot and Rawalpindi/Islamabad.
Vasanta is celebrated with great joy in Lahore:
"There was a lot of rush at kite shops, especially in old Lahore as children and middle-aged
men gathered to purchase their favourite coloured kites and string. Rehan, an intermediate
student said ...the festival was part of the city‘s culture, adding that a number of special
dishes were also prepared for the occasion. He said this year, however, people would only
be flying kites. Arsalan, a resident of the Walled City, said Basant was the event of colours
and lights, adding that a number of people in his area had installed lights at their residences.
He said ―the dance of kites in lights‖ would be visible to everyone who would look up at the
sky"[8].
It was for many years officially backed by the government and sponsored by multinational
corporations. Although Basant is celebrated throughout Pakistani Punjab, it is Lahore which made it
popular not only in Pakistan but all over the world as the largest kite festival. However, there are
accidents and even deaths during the festival each year because of the public's ignorance towards
the use of banned strings and also gunfire.
2005 kite ban in Pakistan
The ban follows a number of deaths in recent days, mostly in the provincial capital Lahore, caused
by glass-coated or metal kite-strings. Families of the victims protested last week, demanding that a
Supreme Court ban on the sport be re-enforced. The spring festival known as Basant is hugely
popular across Punjab. "We cannot allow people to play with the lives of ordinary citizens in the
name of sport," a statement issued from the Punjab chief minister's office said.
A new twist was added to their protest this year when some members of the hardline Muslim
Jamaat-e-Islami party declared that the festival was initiated in the memory of a Hindu who was
hanged for blaspheming against the Muslim prophet Muhammad.[9]. Others see Basat simply as a
spring festival, and point out that even Allama Iqbal used to fly kites and enjoy the festival[10].
In 2005, an advocate MD Tahir of Lahore High Court, Pakistan, contended that many dangers,
including the kite strings and power breakdowns, resulted from kite flying. As a result, in 2005, kite
flying has been banned in Pakistan. Violent protests occurred outside the Pakistani Supreme Court
house.[11]
Despite the ban on kite flying one can see hundreds of kites every afternoon and evening on
Lahore's sky and the number of kites is even higher on Sundays and public holidays. Kite flyers
compete to cut each other's kites loose. In the past strings were coated with a slurry of fine glass
shards which allowed one flyer to cut another's kite lose. In small villages the custom of 'kite
running' allows poorer children to chase down and claim the free flying kites. Today wire coated
with glass has become very popular with such strands of wire, though they have killed more than
nine people in 2009. The Lahore High Court hoped the government would not lift the ban.[11]
Over the years, the Basant festival has drawn thousands of revellers to Lahore from all over the
world. Even Indian movie stars had started participating in the festival which peaks with an all-
night flood-lit kite flying marathon on the eve of the festival.
Australia Day
,
Australia Day
Australia Day on Sydney Harbour, 2004
Also called Foundation Day, Anniversary Day,
Survival Day, Invasion Day, Day
of Mourning (in 1938 & 1970)
Observed by Australian citizens and residents
Type National
Significance Date of landing of First Fleet in
Port Jackson in 1788
Date 26 January
Observances Family meetings, picnics and
barbecues; parades, citizenship
ceremonies, Order of Australia
honours, Australian of the Year
presentation.
Holidays portal
Australia Day (previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day and ANA Day)[1] is the
official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the
arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the
proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.[2]
Australia Day is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, and is marked by
the Order of Australia and Australian of the Year awards, along with an address from the Prime
Minister.
Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26
January date back to 1808, with Governor Lachlan Macquarie having held the first official
celebration of the formation of New South Wales in 1818. In 2004, an estimated 7.5 million people
attended Australia Day celebrations and functions across the country.
The day is seen as controversial for many Australians, particularly Indigenous Australians, who see
commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet as celebrating the destruction of the native Aboriginal
culture by British colonists.[3][4][5] Dating back to the 1938 Day of Mourning, there have been
significant protests from and on behalf of the Indigenous Australian community, and the birth of the
alternative name Invasion Day. Others have begun to use the name Survival Day to highlight that a
people and culture expected to die out has survived.[6] In light of these (and other) concerns,
proposals to change the date of Australia Day have been made, but have failed to gain widespread
public support.
History
The Founding of Australia, 1788
Arrival of the First Fleet
Main article: First Fleet
On 13 May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships, which came to be known as the First Fleet, was sent by the
British Admiralty from England to Australia. Under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, the
fleet sought to establish a penal colony at Botany Bay on the coast of New South Wales, which had
been explored and claimed by Captain James Cook in 1770. The settlement was seen as necessary
because of the loss of the colonies in North America. The Fleet arrived between 18 and 20 January
1788, but it was immediately apparent that Botany Bay was unsuitable.
On 21 January, Philip and a few officers travelled to Port Jackson, 12 kilometres to the north, to see
if it would be a better location for a settlement. They stayed there till 23 January; Philip named the
site of their landing Sydney Cove, after the Home Secretary, Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount
Sydney. They also had some contact with the local aborigines.
They returned to Botany Bay on the evening of 23 January, when Philip gave orders to move the
fleet to Sydney Cove the next morning, 24 January. That day, there was a huge gale blowing,
making it impossible to leave Botany Bay, so they decided to wait till the next day, 25 January.
However, during 24 January, they spotted the ships Astrolabe and Boussole, flying the French flag,
at the entrance to Botany Bay; they were having as much trouble getting into the bay as the First
Fleet was having getting out.
On 25 January, the gale was still blowing; the fleet tried to leave Botany Bay, but only the HMS
Supply made it out, carrying Arthur Philip, Philip Gidley King, some marines and about 40
convicts; they anchored in Sydney Cove in the afternoon.
On 26 January, early in the morning, Philip along with a few dozen marines, officers and oarsmen,
rowed ashore and took possession of the land in the name of King George III. The remainder of the
ship's company and the convicts watched from onboard the Supply.
Meanwhile, back at Botany Bay, Captain John Hunter of the HMS Sirius made contact with the
French ships, and he and the commander, Captain de Clonard, exchanged greetings. Clonard
advised Hunter that the fleet commander was Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse. The
Sirius successfully cleared Botany Bay, but the other ships were in great difficulty. The Charlotte
was blown dangerously close to rocks; the Friendship and the Prince of Wales became entangled,
both ship losing booms or sails; the Charlotte and the Friendship actually collided; and the Lady
Penrhyn nearly ran aground. Despite these difficulties, all the remaining ships finally managed to
clear Botany Bay and sail to Sydney Cove on 26 January. The last ship anchored there at about 3
pm.[7]
The first fifty years: 1788 to 1838
Australia Day Picnic, Brisbane, 1908
Although there was no official recognition of the colony's anniversary, with the New South Wales
Almanacks of 1806 and 1808 placing no special significance to 26 January,[8] by 1808 the date was
being used by the colony's immigrants, especially the emancipated convicts, to "celebrate their love
of the land they lived in"[9] with "drinking and merriment".[10] The 1808 celebrations followed this
pattern, beginning at sundown on 25 January, and lasted into the night, the chief toast of the
occasion being Major George Johnston. Johnston had the honour of being the first officer ashore
from the First Fleet, having been carried from the landing boat on the back of convict James Ruse.
Despite suffering the ill-effects of a fall from his gig on the way home to Annandale, Johnston led
the officers of the New South Wales Corps in arresting Governor William Bligh on the following
day, 26 January 1808, in what became known as the "Rum Rebellion".
In 1817 The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser reported on one of these unofficial
gatherings at the home of Isaac Nichols:
On Monday the 27th ult. a dinner party met at the house of Mr. Isaac Nichols, for the purpose of
celebrating the Anniversary of the Institution of this Colony under Governor Philip, which took
place on the 26th of Jan. 1788, but this year happening upon a Sunday, the commemoration dinner
was reserved for the day following. The party assembled were select, and about 40 in number. At 5
in the afternoon dinner was on the table, and a more agreeable entertainment could not have been
anticipated. After dinner a number of loyal toasts were drank, and a number of festive songs given;
and about 10 the company parted, well gratified with the pleasures that the meeting had afforded.
—The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser[11]
1818 was the 30th anniversary of the founding of the colony, and Governor Lachlan Macquarie
chose to acknowledge the day with the first official celebration.[12] The Governor declared that the
day would be a holiday for all government workers, granting each an extra allowance of "one pound
of fresh meat", and ordered a 30 gun salute at Dawes Point – one for each year that the colony had
existed.[13] This began a tradition that was retained by the Governors that were to follow.[9]
Foundation Day, as it was known at the time, continued to be officially celebrated in New South
Wales, and in doing so became connected with sporting events.[12] One of these became a tradition
that is still continued today: in 1837 the first running of what would become the Australia Day
regatta was held on Sydney Harbour.[9][14] Five races were held for different classes of boats, from
first class sailing vessels to watermen's skiffs, and people viewed the festivities from both onshore
and from the decks of boats on the harbour, including the steamboat Australian and the Francis
Freeling – the second of whom ran aground during the festivities and had to be refloated the next
day.[15] Happy with the success of the regatta, the organisers resolved to make in an annual event.[14]
However, some of the celebrations had gained an air of elitism, with the "United Australians"
dinner being limited to those born in Australia.[9] In describing the dinner, the Sydney Herald
justified the decision, saying:
The parties who associated themselves under the title of "United Australians" have been censured
for adopting a principle of exclusiveness. It is not fair so to censure them. If they invited emigrants
to join them they would give offence to another class of persons – while if they invited all they
would be subject to the presence of persons with whom they might not wish to associate. That was a
good reason. The "Australians" had a perfect right to dine together if they wished it, and no one has
a right to complain.
—The Sydney Herald[16]
The following year, 1838, was the 50th anniversary of the founding of the colony, and as part of the
celebrations Australia's first public holiday was declared. The regatta was held for a second time,
and people crowded the foreshores to view the events, or joined the five steamers (the Maitland, the
Experiment, the Australia, the Rapid, and the miniature steamer Firefly) to view the proceedings
from the water. At midday 50 guns were fired from Dawes' Battery as the Royal Standard was
raised, and in the evening rockets and other fireworks lit the sky.[17] The dinner was a smaller affair
than the previous year, with only 40 in attendance compared to the 160 from 1837,[16][17] and the
anniversary as a whole was described as a "day for everyone".[12]
The centenary celebration: 1839 to 1888
Prior to 1888, 26 January was very much a New South Wales affair, as each of the colonies had
their own commemorations for their founding. In Tasmania, Regatta Day occurred in December,
South Australia had Proclamation Day 28 December, and Western Australia had their own
Foundation Day on 1 June.[9]
In 1888, all colonial capitals except Adelaide celebrated 'Anniversary Day'. In 1910, South
Australia adopted Australia Day,[9] followed by Victoria in 1931.[12] By 1935, all states of Australia
were celebrating 26 January as Australia Day (although it was still known as Anniversary Day in
New South Wales).[9]
Sesquicentenary
The 150th anniversary of British settlement in Australia in 1938 was widely celebrated.[9]
Preparations began in 1936 with the formation of a Celebrations Council.[9] In that year, New South
Wales was the only state to abandon the traditional long weekend, and the annual Anniversary Day
public holiday was held on the actual anniversary day – Wednesday 26 January.[9] The
Commonwealth and state governments agreed to unify the celebrations on 26 January as 'Australia
Day' in 1946, although the public holiday was instead taken on the Monday closest to the actual
anniversary.[18]
Bicentennial year
Sydney Harbour, 26 January 1988
Main article: Australian Bicentenary
In 1988, the celebration of 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet was organised on a large
scale, with many significant events taking place in all major cities.[9] Over 2.5 million people
attended the event in Sydney.[12] These included street parties, concerts, including performances on
the steps and forecourt of the Sydney Opera House and at many other public venues, art and literary
competitions, historic re-enactments, and the opening of the Powerhouse Museum at its new
location. A re-enactment of the arrival of the First Fleet took place in Sydney Harbour, with ships
that had sailed from Portsmouth a year earlier taking part.[9][12]
Contemporary celebrations
Perth's Australia Day celebration attracted 500,000 people in 2006.
Since 1988 participation in Australia Day has increased and in 1994 all States and Territories began
to celebrate a unified public holiday on the actual day for the first time.[19] Research conducted in
2007 reported that 27.6% of Australians polled attended an organsied Australia Day event and a
further 25.6% celebrated with family and friends making Australia Day the largest annual public
event in the nation.[20] This supported the results of an earlier research project where 66% of
respondents anticipated that they would actively celebrate Australia Day 2005.[21]
Outdoor concerts, community barbeques, sports competitions, festivals and fireworks are some of
the many events presented in communities across Australia. These official events are presented by
the National Australia Day Council, an official council or committee in each state and territory, and
local committees.[22]
In Sydney the harbour is a focus and races are held, such as a ferry race and the tall ships race.
Featuring the People‘s March and the Voyages Concert, Melbourne‘s events[23] focus strongly on
the celebration of multi-culturalism.[24] Major celebrations are not confined to the East coast
capitals. Despite a drop in attendance in 2010, but still with audiences estimated at 400,000,[25] the
Perth Skyworks is the largest single event presented each Australia Day.[26]
Citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held with Australia Day now the largest occasion for the
acquisition of citizenship. On January 26 2009, 13,000 people from 120 countries took Australian
Citizenship.[27] In recent years many citizenship ceremonies have includes an affirmation by
existing citizens. Research conducted in 2007 reported that 78.6% of respondents thought that
citizenship ceremonies were an important feature of the day.[20]
The official Australia Day Ambassador Program supports celebrations in communities across the
nation by facilitating the participation of high-achieving Australians in local community
celebrations. In 2009, 340 Ambassadors participated in 377 local community celebrations.[22] The
Order of Australia awards are also a feature of the day. The Australia Day Achievement Medallion
is awarded to citizens by local governments based on excellence in both government and non-
government organisations. The Governor-General and Prime Minister both address to the nation.
On the eve of Australia Day each year, the Prime Minister announces the winner of the Australian
of the Year award, presented to an Australian citizen who has shown a "significant contribution to
the Australian community and nation", and is an "inspirational role model for the Australian
community".[28] Subcategories of the award include Young and Senior Australian of the Year, and
an award for Australia's Local Hero.
Various music festivals are held on Australia Day, such as the Big Day Out, the Triple J Hottest
100, and the Australia Day Live Concert which is televised nationally. For many years an
international cricket match has been held on Australia Day at the Adelaide Oval. These matches
have included both Test matches and One Day Internationals.[citation needed]
Research in 2004 indicated that Australians reflect on history and future equally on Australia Day,
with 44% of those polled agreeing ‗our past‘ is the most important thing to think about on Australia
Day and 41% saying they look towards ‗our future‘. Thirteen percent thought it was important to
‗think about the present at this time‘ and 3% were unsure.[29] Despite the date reflecting the arrival
of the First Fleet, contemporary celebrations are not particularly historical in their theme.[citation needed]
There are no large-scale re-enactments and the national leader‘s participation is focused largely on
events such as the Australian of the Year Awards announcement and Citizenship Ceremonies.[citation
needed]
Possibly reflecting a shift in Australians‘ understanding of the place of Indigenous Australians in
their national identity, Newspoll research in November 2009 reported that ninety percent of
Australians polled believed ‗it was important to recognise Australia‘s indigenous people and
culture‘ as part of Australia Day celebrations. A similar proportion (89%) agreed that ‗it is
important to recognise the cultural diversity of the nation‘.[30] Despite the strong attendance at
Australia Day events and a positive disposition towards the recognition of Indigenous Australians,
the date of the celebrations remains a source of challenge and national discussion.
Criticism
An Invasion Day rally in Brisbane, 2007.
For some Australians, particularly Indigenous Australians, Australia Day has become a symbol for
adverse effects of British settlement on Australia's Indigenous people.[31] The celebrations in 1938
were accompanied by an Aboriginal Day of Mourning. A large gathering of Aboriginal people in
Sydney in 1988 led an "Invasion Day" commemoration marking the loss of Indigenous culture.[32]
The anniversary is also known as "Survival Day" and marked by events such as the Survival Day
concert first held in Sydney in 1992, celebrating the fact that the Indigenous people and culture have
not been completely wiped out.[33]
In response, official celebrations have tried to include Indigenous people, holding ceremonies such
as the Woggan-ma-gule ceremony, which was held in Sydney in 2006 and honoured the past and
celebrated the present; it involved Indigenous Australians and the Governor of New South Wales.
Invasion Day
In January 1988, various Indigenous people of Australia made a concerted effort to promote an
awareness among other Australians of their presence, their needs, and their desire that there should
be communication, reconciliation and co-operation over the matter of land rights.[34] To this
purpose, during January, they set up a highly-visible Tent Embassy at a shoreside location at a point
called Mrs Macquarie's Chair adjacent to the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens. The embassy,
consisting of several large marquees and smaller tents, was manned by a group of Aboriginal people
from Eveleigh Street, Redfern, and was organised with the co-operation of the local council's
department of parks and gardens.[34] It became a gathering place for Aboriginal people from all over
Sydney. One of the aims of the embassy was to be seen by the many thousands of Sydneysiders
whom the organisers claimed did not know, and rarely even saw, any Aboriginal people.[34]
Other recommended dates
Wattle Day on 1 September, the first day of spring, has been proposed as a unifying national
patriotic holiday by the Wattle Day Association,[53] and has been raised as an alternative date
for Australia Day.[54] There is a degree of historical precedent to the suggestion: Wattle Day
was celebrated as Australia Day in South Australia for many years,[55] and during the First
World War Australia Day was celebrated on 28 July, placing it close to Wattle Day.[56]
Constitution Day, 9 July is also suggested as a possible alternative, commemorating the day
in 1900 when Queen Victoria gave her assent to the Constitution of Australia.[57]
The anniversary of the 1967 referendum to amend the constitutional status of Aborigines, 27
May, has also been suggested as a possible alternative.[38]
Opposition to change
Changing the date of Australia Day would be a decision that would have to be made by a
combination of the Australian Federal and State Governments. [43] However, in recent years such a
move has lacked sufficient support, with both Prime Ministers and Leaders of the Opposition
speaking against the idea. In 2001 the then Prime Minster John Howard stated that he
acknowledged Aboriginal concerns with the date, but that it was nevertheless a significant day in
Australia's history, and thus he was in favour retaining the current date. He also noted that the
January 1st, which was being discussed in light of the Centenary of Federation, was inappropriate as
it coincided with New Years Day.[58] More recently, Prime Minster Kevin Rudd gave a
"straightforward no" to a change of date, speaking in response to Mick Dodson's suggestion to
reopen the debate. The then Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Turnbull, echoed Rudd's support of
26 January, but, along with Rudd, supported the right of Australians to raise the issue.[39] In regard
to State leaders, Nathan Rees, (who was, at the time, the Premier of New South Wales), stated that
he was yet to hear a "compelling reason" to support change; and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh
expressed her opposition to a change of date in spite of any controversy.[39]
In 2004 a Newspoll that asked if the date of Australia Day should be moved to one that is not
associated with European settlement, found 79 per cent of respondents favoured no change, 15 per
cent favoured change and 6 per cent were uncommitted.[59]
Historian Geoffrey Blainey said he believed 26 January worked well as Australia Day and that: "My
view is that it is much more successful now than it's ever been."
Tomatina
La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of
Buñol in the Valencia region of Spain. Tens of metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the
streets in exactly one hour.
The week-long festival features music, parades, dancing, and fireworks. On the night before,
participants of the festival compete in a paella cooking contest. It is tradition for the women to wear
all white and the men to wear no shirts. This festival started in a casual way in 1945[1], but wasn't
officially recognized until 1952.
Approximately 20,000–50,000 tourists come to find out more about the tomato fight, multiply by
several times Buñol's normal population of slightly over 9,000. There is limited accommodation for
people who come to La Tomatina, and thus many participants stay in Valencia and travel by bus or
train to Buñol, about 38 km outside the city. In preparation for the dirty mess that will ensue,
shopkeepers use huge plastic covers on their storefronts in order to protect them. They also use
about 150,000 tomatoes, just about 90,000 pounds.
History
The festival is in honor of the town's patron saints, St. Louis Bertrand (San Luis Bertràn) and the
Mare de Déu dels Desemparats (Mother of God of the Defenseless), a title of the Virgin Mary.
The tomato fight has been a strong tradition in Buñol since 1944 or 1945 during the represive years
of post-war Spain.[1] No one is completely certain how this event originated. Possible theories on
how the Tomatina began include a pie local food fight among friends, a juvenile class war, a volley
of tomatoes from bystanders at a carnival parade, a practical joke on a bad musician, and the chaotic
aftermath of an accidental lorry spillage. One of the most popular theories is that disgruntled
townspeople attacked city councilmen with tomatoes during a town celebration. Whatever happened
to begin the tradition, it was enjoyed so much that it was repeated the next year, and the year after
that, and so on. [2]