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Winter Festivals Around the World
When it comes to celebration, it’s a small world after all
Christmas is a popular celebration across the world. But did you know that other cultures have their own winter festivals? Some are celebrated for religious reasons, but some simply honor nature’s transition from fall to winter.
Here is a sampling of winter holidays from around the world. Ask your librarian to help you find books, movies or audio books to help you learn more.
Italy’s Epiphany
Celebrated on Jan. 6, the Epiphany honors the story in Christianity of the three wise men who came bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. In the same spirit of gift-giving, children who have been good all year receive treats from La Befana, which translates to “Christmas Witch,” according to Maria Liberati, author of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions. Italy’s version of Santa Claus, La Befana is a good witch who spreads happiness. Dressed in peasant clothing, La Befana would give gifts of fruit, nuts and candy. The tradition comes from a time when there was a lot of poverty in Italy.
“This also relates to the Italian culture of not celebrating a commercial Christmas, but one that is filled with family, friends and special sentiments,” Liberati says.
Hanukkah
Called the “Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days starting on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, which usually falls in November or December.
This Jewish holiday honors the story of the Maccabee people who defeated their Syrian overlords to enter their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Defiled by the Syrians, the Temple was to be rededicated by the Maccabees, but they only had enough oil to light the lamps for one day. Miraculously the small amount kept the Temple lights burning for eight nights.
The celebration of Hanukkah today honors its history by lighting a special candelabrum, called a menorah, that has nine candlesticks: one to honor each night of Hanukkah, and one that is lit for the purpose of lighting the other candles.
Peru’s Inti Raymi
This “Festival of the Sun” was the ancient Inca Empire’s religious ceremony to honor their sun god during the winter solstice. However, in the 16th century, Catholics who viewed the celebration as pagan and sinful outlawed the ritual. The ceremony was historically re-enacted in 1944, and ever since, a theatrical play has been performed in the Peruvian city of Cusco to portray the ancient nine-day festival. Now, it’s celebrated every year on June 24 (remember South America’s winter is our summer!)
New Zealand’s Matariki
Named for the seven stars in the Pleiades cluster, Matariki is the Maori’s people’s New Year celebration and occurs in the last few days of May when the Matariki begins to rise.
Lasting up to three days, Matariki is seen as a time to celebrate the Earth and show respect for its gifts. Traditionally, it was celebrated by gathering with whanau (family) to reflect on their ancestors who had passed away to the heavens among the stars.
A big part of Māori culture centers around hospitality and involves a host tribe inviting others to partake in feasts, says Ataahua Papa, a steering committee member of Hālāwai, a New York-based group that brings awareness of Pacific Island culture.
“In modern times, this activity still takes place to some degree, although on a smaller scale,” Papa says. “In cities, Matariki is often celebrated by music and dance concerts, readings of Māori stories in libraries and community centers, fashion shows, workshops in astronomy, and workshops in Māori language and history.”
United States’ Kwanzaa
A non-religious holiday, Kwanzaa is celebrated to honor African-American heritage, culture and community. It lasts seven days, beginning the day after Christmas and ending on New Year’s Day.
Inspired by the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s, Kwanzaa was founded by African-American scholar and activist Maulana Karenga in 1966. Its roots come from African first-fruit harvest celebrations; Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” meaning “first fruits.” The young holiday has multiple activities common to other African first-fruit celebrations, such as gatherings of family and friends and showing reverence for the creator and creation.
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