Paper dragons on the street at a Chinese New Year parade
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Trips Updates:
An International New Years
All over the world, the New Year is a time to spend with family and friends, eat great food, and celebrate a number of holidays. Take a trip around the world to see what some of our friends in other countries are doing…
On January 29, 2006, Chinese people all over the world will celebrate Chinese New Year. It will begin the year of the Dog, year 4704 by the Chinese calendar.
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Celebrations last 15 days and end with a Lantern Festival on the day of the full moon. During this time, people spend time visiting friends and relatives, holding ceremonies to pay respect to their ancestors, and praying at temples for health, wealth, and good luck. New Year’s is a good time to be a kid in China – older members of the family often shower their children and grandchildren with money and presents.
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December 12 marks Jamhuri Day, or Kenyan Independence Day. This is a time for Kenyans to celebrate their unity as a country with feasts, dancing, parades, performances, and public events. Close family ties are also important in Kenyan culture, so Jamhuri day is a time when families gather to celebrate their culture, family and nation.
The majority of Kenyans also celebrate Christmas, and the holiday season is a time when families travel from far away to spend time together, share a meal, and attend church services. |
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A Kenyan child waves a flag at Jamhuri Day celebrations
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"Las Posadas 2000," an oil painting by Mexican-American artist Carmen Lomas Garza
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Las Posadas is a Mexican holiday tradition that often happens during the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve. At a Christmas party, half the party will leave the house and stand outside with candles asking to be let in. The people in the house refuse at first, symbolizing Mary and Joseph being turned away at the inn. Finally the house accepts the “travelers” with food, drink, and songs.
The Christmas celebrations continue all the way through January 6, with everyone taking time off to spend time with family and visit old friends. Feliz Navidad! |
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This summer, you could be making new friends and volunteering in any of these countries on an International Volunteer and Leadership Trip with Leaders Today. Check out www.leaderstoday.com/trips for details, or contact Gillian at gillian@leaderstoday.com.
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