December is a wonderful time filled with many celebrations across the globe. Though Montessori schools are not affiliated with a particular religion, students still learn about different holiday traditions throughout the world. Learning about differences in other cultures and instilling respect for traditions are big lessons we like to teach here at MMS. Here are a few of the celebrations our students have the opportunity to learn about.
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the world but the origin of the holiday stems from the birth of Jesus Christ. In the United States, people celebrate by going to church services, decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts and spending time with family. According to National Geographic, food is a major part of the holiday worldwide. “In Ukraine, ambitious feasters enjoy a 12-course meal. In Japan, it’s common for families to visit the American fast-food chain KFC for dinner. In Poland, the carp to be served during dinner are often kept in the family bathtub for days before being eaten. Afterward, it’s common for the fish scales to be kept for good luck.”
Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of the Lights (also known as Deepavali), is one of the biggest celebrations in India. People celebrating this holiday leave lights outside their homes “to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.” It is usually celebrated in autumn depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. Celebrations typically include lighting oil lamps, setting off fireworks, prayer and other festive gatherings.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights (like Diwali!), is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrated in November and/or December commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Those who celebrate Hanukkah light a menorah for eight nights. Traditional Hanukkah dishes include sufganiyot, which are fried jelly donuts, and latkes, a potato pancake dish. Families will also play with a dreidel – a spinning top game where you can win prizes.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 and is a holiday celebrating African American culture Dec. 26- Jan. 1. The holiday honors Black American heritage, culture and the unfair treatment and struggles they faced in the United States in the sixties and beyond. The holiday’s traditions include setting a mkeka, or a woven mat, on tables with significant items placed on it. Candles on a kinara are also lit every night. “The kinara holds seven candles: one black, three red, and three green. The black candle in the middle represents unity among people of African descent; the red candles on the left represent the past and the green candles on the right stand for the future.” Families throw a big party on Dec. 31 with lots of food and fun to celebrate, and take Jan.1 as a time to reflect.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is typically celebrated in late January to late February depending on the lunar calendar. It is the most important holiday in several East Asian countries, as well as South Korea where it is called Seollal and Vietnam where it is known as Tet. It is a week-long holiday celebrated by feasting, spending time with family, fireworks, and lion and dragon dances. These dances are made up of a group of performers who use sticks to make the dragon puppet dance. Dragons are celebrated as “a symbol of wisdom, power, dignity, fertility and auspiciousness.”
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of fasting, charity, prayer and reflection. The celebration takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Those who observe Ramadan fast from dawn to sunset in honor of the Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation of the Quran. At the conclusion of Ramadan and fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday where people spend time with family, visit the graves of loved ones and exchange gifts.
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