Having established the variety of excuses we find for blowing off a little steam, it's much more fun to discuss the ways in which we celebrate. I've had the pleasure to live in a few different places and meet quite a variety of folks who grew up with vastly different experiences. I'm not sure if it's true, but I like to imagine that the true spirit of a people is on display during the holidays. Following are a few examples of celebrations I've either participated in, witnessed, or had described to me by friends.
Christmas was the high point of my year growing up (alright, it still is, unless I get to travel somewhere new during the year). Preparations begin early with the buying of presents. Black Friday is a well documented event (though I never buy anything on that day, sometimes I do go out to witness the hysteria). Over the years I've done more and more to help my mother bake cookies (15-20 varieties, usually) for consuming on the holiday, as well as distribution to friends and colleagues. We always go out for dinner before a Christmas Eve church service (which has a fairly consistent format, including: singing, candles, and a short sermon). After the service we have friends over for cookies, eggnog, mulled cider, firelight and conversation. Christmas day is gifts in the morning, food, more family comes in to visit, then a big dinner (followed by more cookies). It is a long stretched out indulgent holiday, which has been maintained with few alterations for many years.
Easter in the Czech Republic has some fascinating traditions associated with it, I'm sure, but Easter Monday seems much more 'traditional' and fun. Preparations begin a few days before when men cut the young pussywillow twigs and braid them into a pomlazka, decorating them with ribbons (you can buy them on the street, but they aren't as flexible). On the morning of Easter Monday, the men usually get together in small groups and go from house to house to whip the ladies, transferring the youth and vigor of the pomlazka into the ladies. During the whipping (not intended to be too painful), the gentlemen are supposed to chant a little rhyme. In return for his good deed, the gentleman is traditionally gifted with a kraslice (painted egg), though today they are more often thanked with slivovitse (plum brandy) or chocolates. The version I heard, said that if the men showed up after noon, the ladies would douse them with water. Honestly, it varies from village to village, and that is half the fun.
Many holidays may feature bonfires. In November, the English (I don't think rest of the UK celebrates for the same reason) remember Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. On Čarodějnice (April 30th) the Czechs use them to burn their witches. Both are celebrated with the combustion of stuffed figures and copious amounts of alcohol. The younger people I knew in Czech have distilled the event to getting drunk around a campfire with friends (someone usually brings a guitar). Bonfires are always a good excuse for a cookout and to drink late into the night (must tend the fire until it's all burnt out after all).
My second week in Brasilia just happened to coincide Carnival. This festival takes place in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday (which marks the beginning of Lent, which is the privation preparation for Easter). Carnival then is the last big party before you start denying yourself things. Traditionally, each neighborhood has some form of celebration. In Brasilia, groups (formed by whoever can get enough people together) plan out parties with accompanying parades, usually with a stated theme (friends took me to the Babydoll Party, which featured men in drag). Samba bands are formed from the locals and dance groups prepare elaborate costumes for the parades. Everyone is out in the street for the parties. Vendors sell food and alcohol out of booths and Styrofoam coolers. If the parade has a float with music you like, you follow along dancing to and follow the parade to its terminus, where there is more partying to be done. The press of people is close and lively. It is apparently not uncommon to find a Carnival love, or to share a few kisses with random strangers as the spirit moves you both.
Parades in the USA tend to be a bit more staid. Celebrating our independence on the 4th of July in this manner is tradition in many communities (as well as Columbus Day, New Year's Day, Memorial Day and so on). There is usually a Grand Marshall of the parade, chosen to honor an individual of the community (or who has done something for the community, or because they are famous in some way). Floats are made representing a variety of subjects, from broad concepts (hope, freedom, etc) to industries. Politicians are often featured (as they were even in Medieval times) riding in cars or on floats. Local beauty queens also ride and wave to the crowd. There are sometimes marching bands, clowns, Shriners (wearing fezzes) in their little cars, and marchers representing various local organizations. The residents of the town or city line the parade route and cheer as the parade passes and the music plays. Onlookers are sometimes rewarded with candy thrown from the floats. There is usually a competition amongst the participants for the best band/float/etc.
Masquerades are a popular form of celebration that have taken many forms. Folks in the USA dress up on Halloween. AC/DC tell us that at least some Australians like Fancy Dress parties (though I hear of it from the Brits mostly). Venetian Masks, used during their Carnival (though of various origin), are a favorite purchase for visitors. It would surprise me if masks were not popular the world over (I honestly don't know about Africa and Asia on this one). They remove many of the inhibitions we feel as participants and serve to level the classes as long as we all remain anonymous. Masks are sometimes grotesques satirizing politicians, animals, characters from stories, and so on. Costuming has become even more prevalent today with the advent of cosplay.
There are many ways to celebrate the holidays. We use food, drink, entertainment, and secrecy to allow us to relax and enjoy. How each culture applies these concepts varies wildly and is a real joy to discover. For the writer, I'd suggest thinking up your own festival to celebrate and put your characters in the middle. Let them loosen up a bit and meet the locals. It's good for 'em. Something bad can happen to them later.
So tell me, what is your favorite Holiday? Who do you spend it with? How do you celebrate?
You've had a nice impression of Carnival around here.
ReplyDeleteIf I can add something, it's derivative from Venice, from their Fat Tuesday. At first people went out wearing masks to do what they wanted (because they were allowed to) and not feeling ashamed after. Then different kinds of celebrations were born and wearing costumes became a fun part of it. There are places where it’s celebrated during a whole week and in others the celebration is from the Saturday before until the Ash Wednesday. At Bahia there are Axé Music played by bands on trucks and people dance around and following the trucks over the city. In Rio and São Paulo there are parades of samba schools and they have prizes for best costumes and best music and best floats, etc. In Recife (up from Bahia) there are the giant dolls and frevo (music) that people dance with colorful little umbrellas, it’s beautiful. Brasilia actually mixes it all because here there isn’t still a large tradition, it’s a young city. The street blocks (how we call Nylon Babydoll and Galinho) are derivative from street Carnival in Rio, the first and Recife, the second. It’s certainly the most important Celebration at Brasil.
What I like most…? I think I like most birthdays. It’s more private and maybe silly, but I like because we can do something different for different people we like, so it’s exclusive. :)
Guy Fawkes - November 5th. I have celebrated this with my dad, but it is not just a bonfire, but a stuffed dummy is created to represent Guy Fawkes and is thrown on the bonfire.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't talk about harvest celebrations/festivals. Here in the States you find various late summer or fall festivals focused on a specific food item found in certain regions. In my area we have the Apple Butter, Apple, Cherry and Corn Festival. We know that they started as a social gathering of local farmers, but for some communities it can be the high-light of their year.