Valentine’s Day just passed and how do you show your appreciation to your loved ones? Maybe some of us do not agree that celebrating this day is not suitable for our culture but nevertheless, showing your love and appreciation to your family, friends and loved ones is never too much. Yet, this should not be limited to only one day, for love is eternal that flows from days before to the days yet to come. However for this edition, we would not get mushy all over. But we will view in retrospective how other cultures celebrate this day.
In Norfolk, a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children. Although he was leaving treats, many children were scared of this mystical person. In Wales, many people celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day) on January 25 instead of or as well as St Valentine's Day.
The most interesting ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day could be found in Asian culture. In Japan for example, women are expected to give chocolates to counterpart colleague. This is called ‘giri choko’, as in giri (‘obligation’) and choko (‘chocolate’). ‘Honmei choko’ is the chocolate given to loved ones. ‘Tomo choko’ is chocolate given from a friend to another, usually girls. The men is not spared from this tradition, when they are expected to return the favour of whom had given them chocolate on March 14, which is called White Day one full month later.
South Korea seems to have a darker sense of humour than its neighbouring country. While they do celebrate Valentine and White Day in similar fashion, they have another tradition for the singles. On April 14, those who did not receive anything on Valentine or White Day will go to any Chinese restaurant to eat black noodles and mourn their single life. I’d say, black noodles sound like a pretty good meal!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thaipusam!
That Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). It is also referred to as Thaipooyam in the Malayalam language.
Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War.[1] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.[2] Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Lord Murugan. The kavadi-bearer observes celibacy and take only pure, Satvik (uncontaminated and should not spread evil or disease in the world) food, once a day, while continuously thinking of God.
On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common.
Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan (also Subramaniam), the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
Kavadi Attam is a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of Murugan, the Tamil God of War.[1] It is often performed during the festival of Thaipusam and emphasizes debt bondage. The Kavadi itself is a physical burden through which the devotees implore for help from the God Murugan.[2] Devotees prepare for the celebration by cleansing themselves through prayer and fasting. Kavadi-bearers have to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the kavadi and at the time of offering it to Lord Murugan. The kavadi-bearer observes celibacy and take only pure, Satvik (uncontaminated and should not spread evil or disease in the world) food, once a day, while continuously thinking of God.
On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common.
Chinese new year!
That the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the or "Year" in Chinese. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. One time, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the colour red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, the Nian never came to the village again. Eventually, the celebrations of the New Year vary from year to year. Now the practice of giving mandarin oranges to others is because the name is a homophone of "golden luck" or "gold and fortune". Eating yee sang or raw fish salad is also said to bring good luck. Another important aspect of Chinese New Year is yes, you guessed it: red packets filled with money, or more formally known as lai shi or lai see hóng bāo', ang pow, fung bao according to their respective dialects. These are handed out from married couples and the elderly to the unmarried juniors. The main guideline in giving out red packets is the amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with cash given during funerals. A married person would not turn down such a request as it would mean that he or she would be "out of luck" in the New Year. In the spirit of celebration, it is well-mannered to bid each other well. Quotes as Gōngxǐ fācái; Keong hee huat chye,or Gong hei fat choi, which loosely translate to "Congratulations and be prosperous". This is then followed with Xīnnián kuàilè which directly translates to “Happy new year”.But you could always follow the lead of these children, which most of you do anyway, by bidding Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo nálái which means "Congratulations and be prosperous, now give me a red envelope!”8 is considered lucky for its homophone for “wealth”. 6 is also lucky for its homophone for smooth as in a smooth year ahead. This is just the tip of the iceberg on information regarding Chinese New Year. Anyway, at least... now you know.
Friday, February 13, 2009
hallo!
akhirnya ada gak idea untuk tulis dalam blog ni. sekarang aku akan cuba untuk memperbaharui artikel tentang semua perayaan di dunia ini, Malaysia khususnya.
So, finally I've a few ideas on what to write in the blog. I will try to update my collection of articles about celebrations in the world, Malaysia especially. For those who are unsure about Malaysia, Malysia is located between Thailand & Singapore. Our government also launched a campaign 'Zoom" to encourage tourism.
So, finally I've a few ideas on what to write in the blog. I will try to update my collection of articles about celebrations in the world, Malaysia especially. For those who are unsure about Malaysia, Malysia is located between Thailand & Singapore. Our government also launched a campaign 'Zoom" to encourage tourism.
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