We’re all aware of some of the significant religious and cultural holidays celebrated in December in American culture, including Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, but what about other December observations around the world? The winter solstice is associated with some but not all of these.
Some Unitarian Universalists observe Chalica, a celebration of UU values for seven days starting the first Monday in December, that began in 2005. “Each day, a chalice is lit and the day is spent reflecting on the meaning of that day’s principle and doing a good deed that honors that principle” (1).
December 5 is the Muslim holiday of Ashura, a day of voluntary fasting among Sunni Muslims to mark the day Nuh (Noah) left the ark and also later that Musa (Moses) was saved from the Egyptians. Among Shi’ite Muslims, the same day is the major festival of Tazi (Ta’ziyah), commemorating the death of Husayn (Hussein), grandson of Muhammad, which led to the creation of the Shia sect of Islam. (2)
Bodhi Day, on December 8 or 23 (depending on the individual Buddhist tradition), commemorates the day the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautauma, experienced enlightenment, or Bodhi. Some Bodhi Day customs include eating a bowl of rice and milk, putting up colorful lights inside or outside one’s house, retaking one’s vows, and lighting a candle every night for 30 days. (3)
People in some Spanish-speaking countries and the US Southwest observe Las Posadas (The Lodgings) from December 16-24. Processions to family homes for celebration and prayer reenact Mary’s and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem before Christmas. (4)
The winter solstice on December 21 is occasion for the Zuni and Hopi Soyal or Soyalangwul, Iranian Yalda, and Asian Dōngzhì (China), Tōji (Japan, Korea), and Đông chí (Vietnam) festivals, among others. Traditions include holding family gatherings and eating special foods. (5)
Hindus celebrate Pancha Ganapati from December 21 through 25 in honor of Lord Ganesha, patron of the arts and new beginnings. In this modern winter holiday, family members work to mend past mistakes and bring joy and harmony into five realms of their life--family, friends, associates, culture, and religion—with outings, picnics, feasts, and exchange of cards and gifts with relatives, friends, and business associates. (6)
For those who use the Gregorian calendar, December ends with New Year’s Eve, with its own various sets of traditions around the world. Whatever holiday you celebrate in December, may you enjoy time with friends and family, reflection upon the past year, and anticipation of the new year to come!
This is part of a monthly series of articles from the Diversity Council about topics related to diversity and multiculturalism.
References:
(general) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winter_festivals#December
(1) https://www.uua.org/worship/holidays/174566.shtml
(2) https://tinyurl.com/nqo5le3
(3) https://www.examiner.com/article/bodhi-day-what-it-is-and-how-to-observe-it
(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Posadas
(5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongzhi_Festival
(6) https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=5071
Deb Mohr
Diversity Council (ETS: Libraries)
12/17/2013 |