New Year's celebrations are times when families and friends come together to celebrate endings and new beginnings. When a religious element is added to these occassions, a sense of spiritual duty permeates the festivities. Rather than simply celebrating the start of the new year with food and festivities, participants in religious New Year's celebrations consider the meaning of the holiday, the passage of time, and the opportunity for personal change. Focusing on Divali (Hindu), Rosh Hashanan (Jewish), Al-Hijra (Muslim), and Matariki (Maori) celebrations, Religious New Year's Celebrations, explores how cultures around the world contemplate the passage of time on these deeply sacred occasions.
Holidays can commemorate times of triumph, memorialize somber events, or simply mark the transition of one season or year to another. Gathering for festivals and practicing similar customs creates a bond among peoples, and it offers insights into their culture, beliefs, and values. The 10-volume Holidays and Celebrations series explores how the major holidays, both religious and cultural, are celebrate these holidays, describing the unique traditions and customs of each region.
Full-color photographs help bring the text to life, and sidebars, a glossary, a bibliography, further readings, and an index are included to help readers gain a thorough understanding of holiday around the world.
Introduction to Holidays and Celebrations vi
Introduction
Rosh Hashanah: The "Head" of the Jewish Year 3
Divali: A Festival of Lights for the Hindu New Year 12
Al-Hijra: The Islamic New Year 24
Matariki: The Maori New Year Celebration 32
Regional Traditions And Customs
Asia 40
Latin America and the Caribbean 51
Middle East 53
North America 64
Oceania 79
Glossary 84
Bibliography 87
Further Resources 88
Picture Credits 90
Index 91
About the Author 96
Overview
New Year's celebrations are times when families and friends come together to celebrate endings and new beginnings. When a religious element is added to these occassions, a sense of spiritual duty permeates the festivities. Rather than simply celebrating the start of the new year with food and festivities, participants in religious New Year's celebrations consider the meaning of the holiday, the passage of time, and the opportunity for personal change. Focusing on Divali (Hindu), Rosh Hashanan (Jewish), Al-Hijra ...