Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Advent Traditions Around The World
For a long time, I've been curious about how other countries celebrate during the Advent and Christmas periods. While many things are becoming increasingly standard worldwide these days, I like to hear about the differences from place to place. And today I thought I would share a few of my favourites! The following countries still observe their own lovely, unique traditions during Advent and Christmas:
Argentina
It is warm in Argentina in December, so the people decorate the Christmas tree with balls of cotton wool to imitate snow. Other decorations on the tree include bells, candles and lace, and red and white garlands are hung on the door. A Nativity scene (or "pesebre") is placed prominently in the house, near the Christmas tree.
The Christmas dinner is eaten on the evening of 24th December, and is usually enjoyed outside - it's summertime in Argentina, remember! This can be roasted turkey, roasted pork, suckling pig, or even roasted peacock!
Presents are received on January 6th, and these are left by the Magi as they pass by on the journey to Bethlehem. The night before, children leave their shoes outside (or perhaps under the tree), along with hay and water for the weary horses.
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China
In China, most people are Buddhists, so Christmas Day is not a public holiday. Children have to go to school and adults to work. However, Christmas traditions have been adopted in some parts, especially in major cities and areas that used to be colonised by Western countries, such as Hong Kong.
Christmas trees are called "Trees of Light" and are decorated with paper flowers, paper chains and colourful paper lanterns. Inside the lanterns are candles. Children hang up stockings and hope that Santa will come and leave them gifts. In China, the name for Father Christmas actually translates as "Christmas old man" - which is a fairly good description of the modern image of Santa, I suppose!
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Germany
In Germany, decorations include wooden frames that hold electric candles in their windows, an Adventskranz similar to our Advent wreath, straw stars and small wooden Nativity scenes. Another tradition is to place clothed prune men or women, known as "Quetschenmännchen", around the house. These can be about 25cm tall, and the arms and legs are made of prunes while the bodies are made of dried figs. The heads are walnuts with faces painted on.
Instead of sending a list of wants to Santa, it is custom in some parts of the country for children write to the Christ Child. They either post them or leave them on the windowsill.
One old custom is the Knocking Nights or Klopfelanchten, on the three Thursdays before Christmas. On these days, people dress up in frightening costumes (much like on Hallowe'en) and go from door to door making lots of noise, such as clanging cowbells. The noise is apparently meant to scare away evil spirits.
Another wonderful German tradition is its Christmas Markets. The oldest is Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt. The stalls sell decorations, food, toys and other presents. These are so popular, that many cities in the UK now host German Christmas markets. I have been to ones in York, Leeds and Exeter and they are great fun!
St Nicholas' Day is celebrated on December 6th. The night before, children leave their carefully polished shoes by the door or windowsill, so that St. Nicholas can fill them with presents. In some towns, he comes in person, and wears a long robe. He brings his friend, “Knecht Ruprecht” (or, in some parts of the country, "Belsnickel"). St Nicholas gives all the good children sweets or chocolate, but the ones who have been naughty receive lumps of coal or something equally disappointing from his companion.
It is traditional to open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, known as "Heiligabend" - when Father Christmas or the Christ Child has left the presents under the tree, a bell is rung and the children can open their presents. Carols are often sung at this time, in some homes.
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India
Christianity is practised by a small percentage of the population of India, but the custom of decorating the house for Christmas is quite popular, even among those of other religions, and December 25th (called "Bada din" - the big day) is a state holiday. This possibly originates to when India was a British colony.
Greenery, including mango leaves, and strings of light are used as decorations. Christians decorate mango or banana trees and hang a "Star of Bethlehem" outside. They also light small lamps and place these on the roofs and on top of walls. Small presents are typically given, even among non-Christians in the country.
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Italy
It is believed that Nativity scenes originated in Italy. St Francis is said to have created the first such scene to demonstrate to children the importance of that first Christmas. Perhaps as a result of this, in many homes in Italy it is still the tradition for the focus of the house decorations to be a Nativity scene (called a "Presepio"), instead of the Christmas tree. The baby Jesus is noticeably absent from the scene until Christmas Eve. Many towns and villages host regular competitions to see who has the best Nativity scene.
The time for gift-giving varies from region to region. In some parts of Northern Italy, St Lucia brings gifts on 13th December. Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) or Gesù Bambino (baby Jesus) leaves presents under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning in other areas. And in the South, many families wait until 6th January to exchange gifts, which are believed to be left by a kindly witch, la Befana. Some parents warn their children that la Befana leaves ashes for those who have been naughty. There is a legend that says she was visited by the three wise men on their journey to Bethlehem, and was invited to join them but said she was too busy. After they had left she changed her mind, but could not find where they went and still searches today.
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Sweden
The Swedish version of Santa is an unattractive gnome whose name is Tomte. He appears from underneath the floorboards and, instead of reindeer, rides a magic goat! Sometimes he hides the gifts around the house for the children to go looking for.
They actually celebrate Christmas a day early on Christmas Eve, or Julafton. This is when they have the main feast, which is often a buffet involving several courses, including fish and turkey. Gifts are exchanged on this day.
Another important day during Advent is December 13th, which is St Lucia's Day. St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred in 304AD. The name Lucia means "light" and by the old Julian calendar, December 13th was the longest day of the year, which would be a very dark day in Scandinavia! This is perhaps why the festival is so popular in Sweden and its neighbours.
On that day, the oldest daughter wears a white dress and a candle wreath upon her head. She sings a song while giving coffee and St Lucia buns to her parents. Her sisters may dress up and help, but only the oldest wears the wreath upon her head. There are even public processions: a young girl is selected to be Lucia, wearing the candle wreath, and a group of other girls follow her through the streets. In some cities, boys also take part.
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I could go on and list traditions celebrated in other countries, but I just don't have the time, I'm afraid! Sorry! Hope you enjoyed the small sample above!
God bless!
