Merry Eid-al-Adha and a Happy Junkanoo!

Here in the Western world, the Christian holiday calendar tends to take center stage this time of year as millions celebrate Christmas. Christmas is so well-known that now it is marked in many non-Christian countries as well. In my own travels, I’ve had a beach-side Christmas feast (complete w/ Christmas tree) and sang along to familiar carols in Thailand.

But what sort of holidays are our friends in the rest of the world celebrating at home right now? Here are a few of the lesser-known winter holidays celebrated this month by cultures and people around the world.

Junkanoo
A festival originating in the Bahamas, it takes place between December 26 and January 1, when slaves were given freedom for three days around Christmas. In this celebration people don elaborate costumes and dance to music in a raucous demonstration in the streets beginning at 2 am and ending at dawn, an ancestral tradition that the slaves were allowed to recreate during this time. The word “Junkanoo” is said to come from the name John Canoe, 1 17th century African prince and slave trader.

Eid-al-Adha
A three day feast that follows the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Mina, Saudi Arabia, but is also observed by Muslims throughout the world to commemorate the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham). This Muslim holiday begins on December 20th this year. Eid al-Adha is a public holiday in Muslim countries. It begins with communal prayer at daybreak at a local mosque. Worshippers wear their finest clothes for the occasion, and families that can afford it sacrifice an animal as part of the rituals. It is also a time for visiting friends and family and for exchanging gifts.

Bodhi Day
Usually celebrated on December 8, Buddhists choose this day to commemorate the Enlightenment (bodhi) of Buddha. This is an important holiday to Buddhists, who believe that after eight days of meditation, Buddha attained Enlightenment with the knowledge of four noble truth and eight- fold path upon which Buddhism is founded. There are not a lot of organized activities to mark this celebration; instead, Buddhists may spend time this day reflecting on the four noble truths.

Ganga Bois
A Vodoun (Voodoo) holiday celebrated in Haiti on December 10. “Ganga Bois” or “Grand Bois” means great wood and it celebrates the spirit of wilderness. Haitians say he fierce and unpredictable, and a section of the grounds of a Vodou temple is always left wild for him.

Click here to view a December world holiday round-up from the Honolulu Star Bulletin.