BEHIND TRADITION
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Sunday, January 17, 2016
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SINGAPORE
As we’ve seen before in a previous entry, Singapore is home to a great multiculturalism. This has led to the recognition of several official festivities, 11, to be more specific. It happened in 1968, when Singapore’s Employment Act was signed. Each year, the Ministry of Manpower declares a schedule that contains all the days on which public holidays fall, by consulting different religious and community leaders. Let’s have a look at a list of some of those holidays:
- Chinese New Year: Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, it is the most important event in the Chinese calendar. The date varies, since it follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, but usually, it falls somewhere between 21 January and 20 February. It is a very special day to be celebrated with the family and to attract good luck, usually by wearing something red.

- Vesak day: It is a buddhist celebration that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Siddharta Gautama Shakyamuni Buddha. It also follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, so the day of celebration varies. It is a very spiritual celebration. Some customs include praying, making offerings of candles and flowers, releasing captive animals…
- Hari Raya Puasa: It marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It is a festivity that symbolizes renewal and purification of oneself. It is celebrated by making special prayers, putting on new traditional clothes, visiting relatives and friends and eating traditional food.

- Hari Raya Aidil Adha: Celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar, it commemorates the sacrifice of Ishmael by Abraham. It is a major Muslim festival around the world. People use to wear new traditional clothes and exchange gifts.
- Deepavali: A Hindu holiday celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika in the Hindu calendar that marks the triumph of good (light) over evil (dark). A symbolic act is lighting an oil lamp, and exchanging gifts.
- National Day: The most important celebration. As its name indicates, it commemorates the independence of Singapore in 1965. It is celebrated on 9 August and the whole country becomes of a particular joy and shade of red and white.
Other festivities which are also very common in the western world include Good Friday, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Labour Day. Finally, but not less important, the days of general or presidential elections (Polling Day) are also considered a holiday.
Sources:
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
UGANDA WILDLIFE AND CULTURAL SAFARIS

As for the cultural safaris, here we may find
many alternatives too. You may visit the urban part of Uganda by going on a
tour through the city of Kampala, which has many tourist attractions, such as
buildings, monuments... But Uganda's cultural richness goes beyond that. As
I've said before, Uganda is divided in 4 kingdoms. Each kingdom is home for
many tribes who live in harmony. A great way of approaching their culture is by
visiting spiritual sites, such as Kabaka's lake, or some royal tombs. Another
way of approaching the culture is by music and dance, which have been crucial
in every tribe's lifestyle. Their gastronomy is very rich as well and the
diverse climate of the country offers great conditions to fruits and
vegetables. Finally, their arts and crafts reflect their culture to perfection,
with paintings and handmade utensils, music instruments and so on.
Sources:
- http://www.aboutuganda.com/
uganda/arts_and_culture/ culture - http://www.
travelhemispheres.com/ cultural-safaris.html - https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Uganda - http://www.aboutuganda.com/
travel - http://www.
wildwhispersafrica.com/uganda/ uganda-safari-wildlife-the- big-5-plus-two/ - www.murchisonfallsnationalpark.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
IRISH MYTHOLOGY
During its long history, Ireland has been filled with myths and folklore due to the fact that many ancient societies have lived in this country. Though the pre-Christian mythology didn't survive in its entirety, much of it was preserved in medieval Irish literature. We can distinguish 4 periods in Irish mythology: the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle and the Historical Cycle. However, there are also mythological texts and folk tales that don't belong to any of these periods.
Monday, January 11, 2016
JAMAICAN EMANCIPATION AND INDEPENDENCE DAY

The island country of Jamaica is situated in
the Caribbean Sea, constituting the fifth largest island country from its zone.
It is the third country in America with most Anglophone population, right after
the United States and Canada. We can
find a large number of different nationalities and mixed-race citizens living
in Jamaica, although most of them have African roots. This country's history
has provided a very rich culture and tradition. At first, it was occupied by
the Taíno indigenous people, up to 1494 when Christopher Columbus claimed the
territory for Spain. It continued being under Spanish rule up to 1655, when the
English took the control of the island, and it stayed under their domain until
1962, when their independence was finally declared. The two festivities we are
going to talk about are a great proof for its cultural richness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)