Hounds show holiday spirit
Photo by Jona Hogle
Photo by Allison Cook
Students Lauren Rolfsen, Savannah McKinney and Kaylin Cook at the lighting ceremony at Smith Mall on Dec. 2.
Photo by Jona Hogle
Photo by Allison Cook
Photo by Reagan Sexton-Godsey
Photo by Allison Cook
Torie Potters speaks to UIndy community at Schwitzer Student Center on Dec. 2. The Christmas tree was donated to UIndy by the Pate family.
Photo by Allison Cook
Grady the Greyhound smiles in his antlers and Christmas sweater.
Graphic by Allison Cook
CELEBRATING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
'The Refector' staff recognize holiday traditions across the world, cultures
By Gabriel Tice STAFF WRITER
Christmas trees, presents, nativities and Santa Claus are all symbols of the Christmas many know and love.
However, most of these customs did not originate in the United States, but are a combination of centuries old spiritual, cultural and commercial celebrations that evolved into the Christmas we celebrate.
The term “Christmas”comes from the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus that occurred around 2,000 years ago. The term translates to “Christ’s Mass”or“The Mass of Christ.”“Christ” is Jesus and “Mass”is the Catholic term for church service. The tradition spans centuries with the first Christmas Mass recorded in the fourth century.
The celebration of Jesus’ birth has historically been celebrated on Dec. 25th, however, the actual date of Jesus’ birth isn't specifically mentioned in the bible, although the exact date of Jesus' birth is most likely in late September.
The celebration being on Dec. 25 is likely linked to the Roman tradition of the Winter Solstice celebration.
Dec.25haslongbeenthecelebration of theWinter Solstice,a pagan tradition that marks the end of the darkest days on Earth when the Earth is farthest
from the sun.The true origin of Winter Solstice celebrations is hard to trace,but many American Christmas traditions come from these pagan festivals. One such festival comes from Germanic countries: The Yule festival is a winter solstice celebration where the traditions of lighting fires, making ornaments, decorating trees and giving gifts are believed to have stemmed from. As ChristianityspreadthroughoutEurope, these pagan traditions found their way into Christian traditions,and it became commonplacetohavetreesandgivegifts duringChristmasinEnglandandother predominantly Christian countries. However, these practices did not immediately cross to the New World.
Early Puritan settlers in America viewedChristmasasasinful,man-made holiday and banned its celebration. As more immigrants came to the U.S. from England and other European countries, Christmas traditions and celebrations became more popular, but it was not until the German immigration boom in the early 1800s when gift-giving and Christmas trees became the norm.Christmas became a federal holiday on June 28, 1870, when U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill that also made Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day federal holidays. Since then, Christmas only became more popular
CHRISTMAS HANUKKAH
with gift giving, decorating Christmas trees and celebrating yuletide. The average American spends over $1,000 per year on Christmas, with the nation spendingawhopping800billiondollars on Christmas in 2021.
Another holiday tradition involves a jolly, fat man in a big red coat known today as Santa Claus. However, the history of Santa is about as complicated as the holiday itself. Modern Santa is a combination of spiritual, cultural, and commercial legends that have formed into the myth we learned as children. The origin of Santa Claus is believed to have been from the 4th century legend of Saint Nicholas of Myra, a man who lived in modern-day Turkey. Not much is known about his life, but theCatholicChurchcelebratesthefeast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6, his believed death date. The legend of St. Nicholas spread throughout Europe with Christianity.TheDutchtookthelegend and expanded on it — developing the feastof“Sinterklaas,”where“Sinterklaas” would arrive on a boat and give gifts to good children and coal to bad children. Sinterklaas wore long red bishop robes and had a long white beard. The feast made its way to the United States where Santa Claus became central to Christmas.
One of the first iterations of modern Santa comes from Union propaganda
during the American Civil War, where cartoonist Thomas Nast depicts Santa as a small elf-like creature distributing presentstoUnionSoldiersinamagazine in 1863. He was also one of the first to depict Santa in his iconic sleigh and going down a chimney. After that, Santa’spopularityskyrocketedacrossthe nation, and he quickly became known as the “jolly old elf.”The depiction of a human Santa Claus with a big red coat does not come from a church,a festival, or a political cartoon. It comes from the Coca-Cola company. According to Coca-Cola’s website, it began using Santa in advertisements in the early 1920’s, who resembled the Nast cartoons from the Civil War. The iconic red coat was born in 1931 when CocaCola advertisements began depicting a “friendly, human” Santa enjoying a Coke. These ads were so popular, with Santa still appearing in Coca-Cola ads to this day. He is seen delivering toys, reading letters and resting all while enjoying a cold
Coke.Even though Santa was depicted in red hundreds of years before Coke started using his image,
played a major role in the making of the iconic Santa many know and love. Christmas is a highly complex and beautiful holiday with
By Reagan Sexton-Godsey ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
A cultural and religious holiday for theJewishfaith,Hanukkahiscelebrated to remember a fight to regain religious freedom.
Hanukkah lasts eight nights and beginsonthe25thdayofKislev,theninth monthoftheHebrewcalendar,according to Royal Museums Greenwich, which can vary in dates between November and December. This year, Hanukkah will begin as the sun sets on Dec. 25 and continues until sundown on Jan. 2.
There are nine candles on the menorah, eight of which represent one day's worth of oil. The ninth candle is calledthe“Shamash,”meaning“helper,” which is used to light the other eight candles of the menorah.
“The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but are lit from left to right,”and“the blessings are said before the candles are lit,”according to My Jewish Learning.The menorah
By Elyssa Merrill OPINION EDITOR
While some traditions have been around for generations, Kwanzaa was created within the last century, making it a more recent winter tradition in America.
According to the Afrikan Restoration Project, Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration to reconnect with ancestral traditions, celebrate community and instill values that strengthen cultural identity.Observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, it was established in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist for cultural recovery and reconstruction.
Te name “Kwanzaa” is derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits,” which the festival's roots in African harvest celebrations, according to the African American Cultural Center. However, Kwanzaa is more than an homage to agricultural traditions — it is a deeply symbolic time of reflection and
is then placed in a window so it is visible.On each of the eight nights a candle on the menorah is lit.
“The ancient menorah had seven branches — one for each day of Creation — and it burned in the Temple in what was then Judea, a small area caught in the middle of conflict between the Egyptian empireandtheGreek-Assyrianempire,” according to Dartmouth’s website.
Today, there are many traditions peoplepartakeintocelebratetheholiday such as lighting the menorah, eating fried foods and playing the dreidel, to name a few.
Playing games with a dreidel is a popular and historic game often associatedwithHanukkah,according to the Library of Congress Blogs. On each of the four sides of the Dreidel are
wordsinHebrew:“Shin” meaning add, “Nun” meaning do nothing, “Gimmel” meaning to take the entire pot and “Hey” meaningtogethalf thepot,accordingto My Jewish Learning.
To play the game there is a pot used to hold objects such as chocolates, nuts or buttons. According to CBC Kids, each player gets 10 to 15 pieces to play with and takes a turn spinning the dreidel. Each player puts a singular piece into the pot. Whichever side the dreidel lands on determines what the
Some of the foods enjoyed on the holiday include Latkes, brisket, Sufganiyot and more. Latkes, a popular dish, are fried potato pancakes.Sufganiyotisanotherpopular food and is a sweet fried treat similar to
KWANZAA
empowerment. Its purpose is to encourage pride in African heritage, strengthen bonds within the African diaspora and promote the values that sustain communities.
At the heart of Kwanzaa are the “Nguzo Saba,”or the Seven Principles, which represent the core values celebrated throughout the week. Each day is dedicated to one principle, beginning with “Umoja,” or unity, which emphasizes the importance of togetherness in family, community and the broader nation. Te second day focuses on “Kujichagulia,” or self-determination, which encourages individuals to define and speak for themselves.“Ujima,”
importance of solving problems together.
This continues through the fourth day with the principle of “Ujamaa,” or cooperative economics, encouraging participants to support and build businesses within their community.Te fifth principle,“Nia,” or purpose,calls for individuals to work collectively to develop and sustain the community for the common good. “Kuumba,” or creativity, follows, encouraging individuals to leave the community more beautiful and beneficial than they inherited it. Finally,the celebration concludes with “Imani,” or faith, emphasizing the belief in the community,its people
symbols and traditions. Families often display a“kinara,”a seven-candle holder, with three red candles, three green candles and one black candle, each being lit on the respective days. Other elements, such as the “mkeka” (a woven mat symbolizing the foundation of African traditions), the “mazao” (crops representing the fruits of collective labor), and the “kikombe cha umoja”(the unity cup), also play important roles in Kwanzaa ceremonies.
Te final day of Kwanzaa often culminates in a communal feast known as “Siku ya Taamuli” since it is the first day of the new year. Tis joyful gathering brings families and friends together to reflect on the principles, share traditional African and African-American foods and celebrate the achievements of the past year while looking forward to the future. It is a day of meditation and self-reflection. Kwanzaa’s significance extends far beyond its week of observance. It is a cultural affirmation and a reminder of the resilience, creativity and unity for the
a doughnut.
Another tradition coming from Eastern Europe during the nineteenth century is “gelt,” a Yiddish word that translates to money. By the 19th century,Jews in Eastern Europe started giving coins directly to children in their family as Hanukkah gifts, in what was likely an interpretation of the earlier custom. Those who immigrated to America brought the tradition with them, according to History. Today, it is common to give children chocolate gelt packaged in gold wrapping.
Whilethiscelebrationhasareligious background,ithasevolvedintoacultural holiday for secular Jews, especially in America, as it is not specifically mentioned in the Torah, according to Henry Ford College. It enabled the remembrance of defeating the Greek army that persecuted the Jews, reclaiming the Second Temple of Jerusalem and relighting the menorah, but in modern times has become more ofa“JewishChristmas,”accordingtothe Union for Reform Judaism.
African diaspora. By emphasizing shared values and collective progress, Kwanzaa continues to inspire those who celebrate it to strengthen their cultural identity while contributing to the betterment of their communities.
Corrections
Te Refector acknowledges its mistakes.
When a mistake occurs, we will print corrections.
If you catch a mistake, please contact us at refector@uindy.edu.
In our Nov. 25 Issue:
On Page 1, next to the article titled "Te Refector" denied access to university meeting," the graphic misspells "university."
On Page 3, in the article titled, "UIndy to add new minors," referencing theatre as a department is misleading. Te correct reference is the theatre program.
What do you think?
Send your letters to the editor or other correspondence to refector@uindy.edu
Coca-Cola
Graphic by Ella Harner
Graphic by Olivia Pastrick
Graphic by Jona Hogle
CELEBRATING HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
'The Refector' staff recognize holiday traditions across the world, cultures
LAS POSADAS
By Barbara Smith STAFF WRITER
All around the world, everyone has a different holiday they celebrate. In some parts, it is Christmas,in others it is Hanukkah. But, in Mexico, a festival called Las Posadas is celebrated.
According to Suzanne Barbezat, a licensed tour guide in Mexico, Las Posadas is a Mexican tradition that takes place Dec. 16-24. Te word “posada” means “inn” or “shelter” in Spanish, and there can also be something called a “pre-posada,” if people are not available for the main holiday. During these days, the biblical story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem is reenacted. Tis also involves a special song, a variety of other carols and breaking piñatas. According to Barbezat, posadas are held in local communities each night and are becoming more popular in America.
A posada begins with a group of people, sometimes playing the parts of Mary and Joseph, singing a special song called La Canción Para Pedir Posada. In the first part, Joseph asks the innkeeper for a place to stay, and the second part is the innkeeper saying they have no more room. According to Franscian Media, this group goes to multiple houses before the ‘innkeeper’agrees to let them into the designated house. Once inside the home, the celebration begins. While it can vary from a fancy party to a small get together, posadas begin with a bible reading and prayer. After that, food is brought to the guests, which is traditionally tamales and a hot drink such as “ponche" or “atole,” and then a piñata is brought out to distribute candy.
However, this does not happen all at one place. Each night, those celebrating go to a different house and repeat the process. Each house represents a different quality —
humility, strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy and generosity. Each night leading to Dec. 25 represents the nine months that Jesus spent in Mary’s womb, or, to represent a nine day journey, it can represent Mary and Joseph going from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
Las Posadas, according to Wonderopolis, originated in colonial Mexico in 1586 by the Augustinian friars. What started this was when Friar Diego de Soria obtained a papal bull from a pope and they celebrated what was called misas de aguinaldo. Te posadas were originally held in the church, but they gradually made their way into neighborhoods and Las Posadas would ultimately become what it is today.
According to an article by Te Catholic Review, on the last night of Las Posadas, the families prepare the Christmas crib in a scene much like the Nativity sets with which we’re all familiar. In some areas,
it’s customary to include Holy Mass as part of the procession. After the Mass and procession, refreshments are served, including an array of ethnic dishes, and families enjoy a meal and more singing together before the night’s end.
Blogger
Carlos Villamayor mentions how this tradition spread to other countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Guatemala.
Las Posadas is not a global tradition, but it is one that’s been celebrated since the 16th century and has made an impact on the Mexican culture we know today.
KRAMPUS
By Emma Foutz EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Naughty children get coal for Christmas in the United States, but in the Alpine regions of Europe, they are punished or taken by Krampus, the holiday half-goat-half-demon.
The legend of Krampus is believed to originate from Germany, stemming from Pagan rituals for the winter solstice, according to Britannica. The name derives from the German word “krampen,” meaning claw. When Christianity began to spread throughout Europe, Krampus became associated with the Christmas tradition as a foil to Saint Nicholas to encourage good behavior from children.
Krampus is depicted as a sinister creature, part goat and part demon, with jagged black fur, large claws, curved horns and a serpentine tongue. He wears chains and bells (the jingle leads children into a false sense of security, sounding like Saint Nicholas), accompanied by bundles of birch branches and a sack over his shoulder.
LA BEFANA
By Livia Lytle BUSINESS MANAGER
While Italy shares similar Christmas traditions to the U.S., one of the most notable differences is La Befana, a bearer of gifts in the form of a grandmotherly woman. In Italy, Christmas celebrations begin Dec. 8 with the Feast of Immaculate Conception and conclude on Jan.6 with Epiphany Day. While Christmas is still celebrated on Dec. 25 in a similar fashion to the U.S., Italy celebrates additional holidays throughout the season as well. Dec. 26 is also a national holiday in Italy known as Saint Stephen’s Day and is typically celebrated by attending markets, carnivals or festivals and visiting Nativity scenes at churches,according to Italy Magazine. Te tradition of the Nativity originated in Greccio, Italy in 1223 with a live-action, dramatized version and is attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
Marche, Italy, is often said to be the official home of La Befana,according to Walks of Italy.
Befana is most often depicted as a broom-riding, good witch who appears as an elderly woman wrapped in a shawl.She is also typically covered in soot, due to her entering through the chimney. According to legend, Befana’s story became interweaved with that of the Tree Kings — or the Tree Magi — when she allowed them shelter in her home during their journey to the birth of
celebrated in Italy much like in the U.S. but can take place on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day depending on the region. Te tradition of Santa Claus,called“Babbo Natale”in Italy,is the same in some regions,while other regions follow the older tradition of Baby Jesus or the Christ Child being the bearer of gifts, according to Select Italy. In some areas of Northern Italy, it is more common for gifts to be given earlier on Dec. 13, which is Saint Lucy’s Day. In areas of central Italy it is more common for gifts to be given later, on Epiphany Day.
by Jona
While Epiphany Day is celebrated throughout the entire nation of Italy, the gift giving and the folklore of La Befana is most common within central Italy. Urbania, a municipality located in the Italian region of
following the Star of Bethlehem. Tey offered for Befana to accompany them on their journey, and she initially declined. After the Kings left in the morning, Befana changed her decision and tried but failed to catch up to them, carrying her broom along with a small basket of gifts for the baby Jesus.Tus began the legend of the gift-bearer,La Befana, according to ItaliaRail. Te tradition of gift giving is
e legend says that Befana is still on her journey in search of the baby Jesus and delivers treats — normally toys and candy — to the good children and leaves behind coal for the bad children,much like the Santa Claus. In addition to coal, Befana will sometimes leave onions, garlic or straw from her broom, according to ItaliaRail.
Te biggest La Befana festival takes place in her official home and origin of Urbania, Italy. Te large celebration, which features activities like singing, dancing and juggling, and hundreds of Befanaimpersonators handing out sweets, brings around 30,000 to 50,000 people to the area, according to ItaliaRail.
The terror-inducing appearance directly contrasts Saint Nicholas, a warm and friendly figure dressed in a bishop’s robes. Krampus and Saint Nicholas are said to visit homes on the night of Dec. 5. According to Smithsonian Magazine, while Saint Nicholas delivers presents and toys to good children, Krampus beats the misbehaving children with birch branches.
Legend says that severely naughty children could disappear and be taken to Krampus’ lair to be tortured and eaten. T ere is a misconception that Krampus replaces Saint Nicholas, but they are two di ff erent beings working together. It’s an interesting coworker relationship. There are many longstanding traditions surrounding Krampus, according to History.com.
“Krampusnacht,” or Krampus night, the night before Saint Nicholas Day. “Krampuslauf,” or Krampus run, is an Austrian tradition where men wear Krampus costumes, get intoxicated and run through the streets with bells, whips and theatrical scares. Other Alpine traditions incorporate Krampus into holiday festivities
like parades and plays. These traditions are meant to thrill and terrify while honoring the region's folklore.
In the 1890s, postcards hit peak popularity in Germany and Austria, and the “Krampuskarten” were not the typical greeting card. These vintage postcards often had “Greetings from Krampus!” and depicted Krampus punishing children, but some modern iterations range from grotesque to humorous in their designs. While Krampus is a longstanding tradition in European countries, his devilish persona made its way into American pop culture over the years. Films like Krampus (2015) and episodes of shows like American Dad! and Te Office have introduced the character to wider audiences, often blending horror and comedy.
Krampus has evolved from a regional legend to a worldwide phenomenon. His dark and mischievous nature appeals to those who enjoy the macabre and is the counterbalance to the cheeriness of modern Christmas celebrations, while providing lessons on morality and community.
BADA DIN
By Pete Roeger DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
“Bada Din,”meaning“Big Day,”is a termusedtorefertoChristmasinIndia. According to Little Passports, Greaves India Tours and Wendy Wu Tours, Christmas, while being a Christian holiday, is celebrated by both Christians in India as a religious holiday as well as by Indians of other faiths as a secular festivity. However, religious observances are a minority, as most of India’s population is Hindu, and Christmas is generally a Christian holiday when celebrated religiously. In some parts of southern India, such as Kerala, where there is a larger Christian population, many communities participate in Midnight Masscelebrations.Thesefestiveservices take place in brightly glowing churches adorned with candles and flowers.
Some people decorate rooftops with flowers and fairy lights while mango trees are donned in festive ornaments. Some Christian families in southern India place small clay oil-burning lamps, called diyas, in their homes, which symbolizes the Christian belief in the presence of Jesus as the “Light of the World.” AccordingtotheTimes of India, the city of
Kochi, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, celebrates Christmas every year with a large festival called the Cochin Carnival. The festival dates to the Portuguese New Year’s celebration in colonial times, and today features a vibrant mix of Kerala’s culture. The celebration begins with a grand parade through Fort Kochi, including decorated elephants, ornate floats and traditional art. The festival includes a grand firework display that illuminates the night sky over Fort Kochi. The merriment continues daily for a whole week,stretching from Dec.25 until the New Year on Jan. 1. Food is also an important part of Bada Din. Some communities feature stalls selling traditional Indian dishes like biryani and curry. Some people also make kheer,a pudding-like dessert, often made with rice and sometimes including nuts and raisins.
According to the Greaves article, Santa Claus is known by different names in India, including Christmas Baba, Christmas TaathaaorNatal Bua. Overall, India celebrates Christmas in a variety of ways that are both traditionally festive and uniquely
Graphic
Hogle
Graphic by Emma Foutz
Graphic by Jona Hogle
Graphic by Jona Hogle
HOLIDAY
HOROSCOPES
HOLIDAY HOROSCOPES
ARIES
An ongoing work or school issue will end favorably for you. With the dispute resolved, reflect on what you will do differently when a problem arises in the future.
TAURUS
You value accolades and achievements, but your worth extends beyond material items. Determine if your core values align with your accomplishments.
LEO People appreciate your optimism, witty humor and storytelling ability. Set humility aside for a moment and bask in the glory of your magnificence.
GEMINI
Ask yourself who you want to be in five years and create habits to help you achieve it. Becoming who you want to be takes integrity, practice and accountability.
CANCER
As a nurturer, selflessness is your middle name. Carve out alone time to find your center; otherwise, you may start feeling resentful of others.
VIRGO
Your attention to detail is impeccable, and you appreciate certainty. Balance comes in daydreaming, practicing yoga and dancing to your favorite music.
SAGITTARIUS
Tis has been a year of growth and freedom, which will continue in the new year. Proceed with care; your adventurous and non-traditional nature knows no boundaries.
CAPRICORN
A close friend or family member might be pressuring you. Find the courage to resist intimidation. Setting boundaries is easy; the challenge is upholding them.
LIBRA
Indulge in life’s delights with your favorite people. Loyalty and companionship feed your soul. Immerse yourself in intellectually stimulating conversations.
AQUARIUS
An upcoming negotiation may not go as planned. The universe is stepping in to help you. Consider it an opportunity to change direction.
SCORPIO
The Scorpio moon has you feeling more emo than usual. Your ship hit an iceberg, but lifeboats surround you. Rely on trusted confidantes to bring you home safely.
PISCES
You wear thousands of faces but are uniquely authentic. Others find this fascinating yet mysterious. Embrace this gift of empathy.
