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Any society’s foundation is its culture and traditions, which help to maintain its values and beliefs while forming its own character. Every nation has its own traditions and customs that have been cultivated and handed down over the ages. Understanding and appreciating the variety of cultures and customs around us is crucial as the world grows more linked.
The primary customs of several cultures:
Festivals and holidays
Rituals of religion
Family traditions
Traditions in cooking
Jewellery and apparel
Dancing and music
Ceremony and ritual
In actuality, every culture has distinctive festivals and holidays that are a reflection of its history, beliefs, and traditions. For instance, Diwali in India, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, Independence Day in the US, and Carnival in Brazil.
This post will highlight the significance of comprehending cultural variety and the necessity of cultural translation and localisation by examining 25 intriguing customs from around the globe that are observed during holidays and festivals.
global cultural traditions
- China’s Chinese New Year
The most significant traditional festival in China is Chinese New Year, often called the Spring Festival. The first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, which typically occurs between late January and mid-February, is when it is commemorated. Family get-togethers, money exchanges in red envelopes, and consumption of traditional Chinese cuisine, such as sticky rice cakes and dumplings, are all part of the celebration.
One of the main customs is the Reunion Dinner, where family get together for a sumptuous feast. Red decorations ward against bad luck and are a lucky charm. To celebrate and ward off negativity, fireworks and firecrackers are fired off. Dancing lions and dragons is a lucky charm.
Children and single people are given red envelopes filled with cash. The Lantern Festival, temple visits, and visiting friends and family are also frequent. As people joyfully greet the new year and pray for blessings of prosperity and happiness, the Chinese New Year symbolises unity, thankfulness, and hope.
- Mexico’s Day of the Dead
The event known as Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, honours the lives of departed loved ones. It is a time for families to come together and honour their ancestors, and it is observed on November 1st and 2nd. Day of the Dead customs include visiting cemeteries to respect and remember departed loved ones and making elaborate altars, called ofrendas, decorated with marigolds, candles, and their favourite delicacies. Families also get together to celebrate the enduring connection with their ancestors by sharing stories, music, and laughing.
Mexico’s Day of the Dead
- India’s Holi
The Hindu holiday of Holi commemorates the triumph of good over evil and the coming of spring. Although India and Nepal are the usual places to commemorate the event, other nations with sizable Hindu populations, like Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago, also mark it. Due to the fact that during the celebration, people hurl coloured powder and water at one another, Holi is also referred to as the “festival of colours.”
People gather to celebrate with food, music, and dancing during the event, which typically occurs in late February or early March. Traditional Holi dishes include thandai (a spicy milk beverage), mathri (a savoury snack made with wheat and spices), and gujiya (a sweet dumpling filled with nuts and dried fruits).
- Japan’s Obon Festival
The Japanese Buddhist holiday of Obon honours the ancestors’ spirits. The customs of the Obon holiday include lantern burning and dancing to help the souls return to the afterlife. - Brazil’s Carnival
Brazil celebrates Carnival, a four-day celebration renowned for its colourful dance, music, and costumes. The feast, which takes place every year before Lent, is a time for joy and festivity.
The samba parade is one of the primary Carnival customs in Brazil. The grandiose parades that take place in the Sambadrome, which is a specially designed parade arena found in large cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, are the festival’s main attraction. With thousands of members, samba schools compete fiercely for the title of greatest samba school by showcasing their colourful costumes, elaborate floats, and rhythmic dance techniques.
A big part of Carnival is the costumes. Many people wear vibrant, ornate clothing that is frequently influenced by creative themes or traditional Brazilian culture.
The “blocos afro,” or parades honouring Afro-Brazilian culture and showcasing the rich legacy of African customs through dance, music, and costumes, are among the most well-known Carnival customs in Brazil. These blocos honour Brazil’s cultural diversity and encourage inclusivity.
Traditional Brazilian cuisine and beverages are consumed during Carnival. Street sellers serve a wide range of delectable dishes, including as caipirinhas (a cool cocktail prepared with cachaça, lime and sugar), acarajé (deep-fried black-eyed pea fritters stuffed with shrimp) and feijoada (a hearty black bean stew with pork). In addition to providing participants with sustenance during the festivities, the food enhances the joyous atmosphere.
Carnival
- Spain’s La Tomatina
In Spain, the town of Buñol hosts a celebration called La Tomatina, when people have fun throwing tomatoes at one other. Thousands of visitors from all around the world attend the festival, which takes place on the final Wednesday of August. - Thanksgiving in the US
On the fourth Thursday of November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, a national holiday. A traditional dinner consisting of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie is shared, and it’s a time for family to gather and express gratitude for their blessings. - Thailand’s Songkran
During the Thai New Year celebration known as Songkran, people hurl water at one another. Many people attend temples and carry out rituals during this time, which is also a time for purification and rejuvenation. - United States Independence Day
The United States celebrates Independence Day, sometimes called the Fourth of July, as a national holiday honouring the nation’s July 4, 1776, proclamation of independence from Great Britain. On this day, people celebrate and remember their patriotism.
The fireworks show is one of the main customs of Independence Day. Cities and towns all around the nation host fireworks displays, but the most well-known one is in New York City, where millions of people attend the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular. The fireworks represent the “red glare of rockets” that is referenced in “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States.