CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS Students to their
explain the holidays that are unique culture and what they mean to them
BY DEEANNE MONTERO, STAFF WRITER
T
HE REKINDLING OF ONE’S heritage through folktales, native dishes and decorations are just a few ways to get ready for the
holidays. While the phrase “holiday season” often refers to Christmas and Thanksgiving, many people celebrate their cultures through different ethnic
traditions. Freshman Melody Abbassi and sophomore Samuel Sommer share the celebrations they take part in and the significance they hold to them.
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As flowers bloom and nature begins to revive, freshman Melody Abbassi celebrates the Iranian New Year, زورون, or Nowruz, which marks the first day of new beginnings. Originating from Iran, Nowruz begins on spring equinox — the first day of spring — and lasts a total of 13 days which Abassi celebrates alongside her loved ones. During these 13 days, Abbassi celebrates the tradition of Eid Didani that consists of visiting loved ones. Other traditions that Abbassi and her family celebrate include buying and wearing new clothes along with cleaning the house. These traditions represent starting fresh and adding to an individual’s happiness. The traditional dish eaten is sabzi polo ba mahi, which is fish and rice, that manifests prosperity for the new year. “To me, Nowruz is like a new chapter of my life each year. I get to think about
the things I want to change and the things I want to do,” Abbassi said. The most significant tradition Abbassi participates in is creating a sofre haftsin — a symbolic table which includes seven elements whose names start with the letter S. The sofre haftsin is believed to bring good luck as each item symbolizes a hope for the new year. If it were up to Abbassi, she would like the holiday to last beyond 13 days because she values the quality time spent with her family and friends. Abbassi hopes to keep the same positivity and traditions alive by passing down traditions through generations. “Nowruz plays an important role in uniting families and friends. Even if we do not get the chance to see each other, when we call each other just to say congratulations, we are somehow building a bond or a connection once again,” Abbassi said.
Hanukkah: Samuel Sommer
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Sommer and his family play unique games such as poker and Texas Hold’em, which he claims adds a fun twist to the traditions. Additionally, there is no forgetting the delicious traditional foods such as latkes or potato pancakes, which are Sommer’s favorites because of their unique shape. Although Hanukkah is not as widely celebrated as Christmas in the United States, Sommer deems it the runner up of the season. “I see that it’s really about spending time with your family, as I [witness] everyone around me growing up with me,” Sommer said. He holds high respect towards the Hannukah traditions and wishes to continue its importance through his own lifetime. h
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As blue and white decorations are taken out of the closet, sophomore Samuel Sommer and his family eagerly prepare for Hanukkah. As the only cousin to live in Miami, Sommer values the time spent with relatives during the holiday, where special memories are made. “When you celebrate with [family], it gives you the full feel of the holiday,” Sommer said. Sommer learns about the history of Hanukkah on the first night, gathering to pray and the lighting of the Hanukkiah. The Hanukkiah consists of nine candle holders where the middle candle lights up the eight candles that represent the eight days of celebration. Families tend to follow the traditional spinning of the dreidel, however
