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We would like to use the Christmas season as a reason to invite you to a very special exotic trip. Since we receive our goods (costumes, veils, shoes, jewelery, etc.) from suppliers from all over the world, we would like to take you with us on a tour through the countries of origin of our goods, of belly dancing itself and of the oriental culture. This is why we put together a very special Christmas gift for you. It contains information on the different international Christmas traditions and on the ways Christmas is celebrated in countries abroad. It goes without saying that we focus on the countries of the Orient and Asia. This is why we would like to introduce you to Christmas in India, Egypt and Turkey. Please accompany us on an exciting tour through international Christmas traditions and let yourself be carried away by the pleasant anticipation filling the air before Christmas.
„Shub Naya Baras“ or „Merry Christmas“ from India
Even though only a small part of the Indian population is Christian (about 7 % of the total population), Christmas is still an official Indian holiday. Its name in Hindi is “bada din” which means “the great day” in English. Indian Christians usually celebrate Christmas as a mixture of their own traditions and traditions adopted from foreign countries. Usually they use mango or banana trees as a Christmas tree and decorate them with Christmas decoration. The houses are often decorated with colorful chains of light and mango leaves.
The Christmas celebrations in India are much less formal and contemplative than in the Western World. Christmas rather is a big party. Starting point of the traditional Christmas celebrations in India usually is the Christmas mess at midnight which lasts up to two or three hours. On the morning of Christmas day a lemon is given to the family patriarch as a symbol of adoration.
Christmas day itself is celebrated with a big Christmas dinner which is usually served outdoors. The tables are decorated with blankets made of elaborately braided palm tree leaves. On these blankets the Christmas dinner is arranged. Indian Christians traditionally eat curry rice, different sorts of vegetables and big pans filled with spicy meat for Christmas. After dinner they often dance and sing Christmas carols and a big bonfire is lit after nightfall. The next morning the children find small gifts hanging in the bamboo trees around their houses. At the end of the Christmas feast there is a big firework which everyone in the different towns watches.
However, as already mentioned above, only a small part of the Indian population celebrates Christmas. Since the majority of the Indian population is Hindu, the Hindu festival of light called Diwali is much more popular in India than Christmas. Nevertheless, it can be compared to the Christmas celebrations in the Western world due to its spiritual and social importance as well as due to its happy character. Diwali usually takes place either in September or October.
The most important part of Diwali is light. In the past people used to put small lit oil lamps on their windowsills and into the entrances. Today most people use electric chains of lights to light their houses, the streets and shops. Often times there are even lights hung up into trees and put on the house roofs. These lights are supposed to make sure that the ghosts of the dead find their way into the Promised Land.
The course of events during the Diwali is traditionally set.
On the first day of the festival of lights everyone gets up early, washes her- or himself with perfumed oil and puts on new clothes. Sweets are given to the children. Several days before the start of the actual festival you can already hear jumping crackers exploding in the streets and see small fireworks being lit.
In many parts of India, the second day of Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of luck. The lights that are lit in the windows and doors are supposed to greet and welcome the goddess. According to tradition the goddess only visits houses that are marked with lights. Only in these houses she spreads her luck. This day is very popular amongst Indians for making contracts or take part in lotteries and gambling. They believe that on this day the possibility to be lucky and successful is much higher than on any other day during the year.
The third day is dedicated to family and marriage. Wives traditionally swivel a tray with candles over the head of their husband and dap a “spot of blessing” on his forehead.
On the forth day sisters traditionally bless their brothers with light and both promise each other to be there for each other and protect each other.
