5 minute read
Holiday traditions around the world
by CONNIE SUTTON
he holiday season is arguably the most wonderful time of the year. The world seems to take on a magic glow, people seem merrier and even the winter chill somehow feels cozier. While Christmas is the most popular celebration in America, over 160 countries honor the season with a celebration of sorts. Whether religious celebrations, such as Hanukkah or Christmas, or cheeky like Festivus, many people have their own selection of traditions that make the season special. Learn more about some of the more unexpected traditions from around the world. THE PHILIPPINES - Giant Lantern Festival
Traditionally called Ligligan Parul Sampernandu, The Giant Lantern Festival is held each year on the Saturday before
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In Sweden, the Gävle Goat or Yule Goat has been built in the center of Gävle’s Castle Square since 1966. Every year, on Dec. 1, the three-ton, 42-foot tall straw goat is built in the same spot. But this Swedish Christmas tradition has unwittingly led to another tradition of sorts – people trying to burn it down. Since 1966 the goat has been successfully burned down 29 times. If you want to see how the Gävle Goat fares this year you can follow its progress through livestream online at www.visitgavle.se/en/gavle-goat. AUSTRIA - Krampus
A more sinister holiday tradition takes place in Austria. While St. Nicholas rewards good children with presents, his dark accomplice, Krampus, is said to whisk away naughty children in his sack. Krampus is described as half-man, half-goat and young men dress up during the first week of December to frighten children with clattering chains and bells. JAPAN - KFC Christmas Dinner
Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in Japan, but families still have a tradition centered around a white-bearded man. While Santa may not be working his way into Japanese hearts, Colonel Sanders is. Yes, you read that right. This quirky tradition began in the 1970s as an alternative to a turkey dinner for westerners who were missing their traditional meal. Since then, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families celebrate the holiday with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. ICELAND - The Yule Lads
Similar to America’s 12 days of Christmas, Iceland celebrates 13 days of Yule. For each night of Yuletide, children will place their best shoes by the window before heading to bed. They expect a different Yule Lad or Jólasveinarnir to visit each night with gifts for good girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones. And you thought coal was a terrible gift!
NORWAY - Brooms
Perhaps one of the most unusual Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway. While here in America, we think of the broom as a Halloween accouterment, in Norway it belongs to Christmas. Hiding all the brooms in the house is a tradition that dates back centuries to a time when people believed that witches came out on Christmas Eve. Reportedly, they were looking for brooms to ride on, so this act deprives the witches of finding a ride. VENEZUELA - Roller Skates
Love Christmas, but think it could be improved by a workout? If the answer is yes, then perhaps Caracas, Venezuela is your ideal Christmas destination. Before these residents enjoy a Christmas day feast of tamales, they head to church in the wee hours of the morning on roller skates. This unique tradition is so popular that roads across the city are closed so that people can skate to church safely. SOUTH AFRICA - Fried Caterpillars
If you’re tired of Honey Baked ham and dried out turkey for holiday dinners, perhaps fried caterpillars will please your palate. Deep-fried caterpillars are a traditional South African Christmas delicacy. The Pine Tree Emperor Moth, also known as the Christmas caterpillar is said to give a little extra luck in the New Year to all those who consume it.
INDIA - The Banana Tree
While Christmas isn’t widely celebrated in India, those that do celebrate the holiday do it with a tropical twist. Since pine and fir trees aren’t native here, you’ll find brightly-lit, welldecorated banana, mango or palm trees decorated for the season.
SPAIN - The Pooping Log
This one may seem like some kind of bad Dad joke, but Caga Tio, Spanish for pooping log, is a Spanish tradition. This hollowed out log is decorated with a smiley-face and red hat for a long-held tradition. The idea is that children feed Caga Tio orange peels, and keep him warm until Christmas Eve. The more they feed him, the more presents he will “poop out” for Christmas. d
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