Page 12 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2022

COAST NOTE
DECEMBER
Holidays
story by Victoria Snyder
As soon as Halloween ends, you start to see decorations and Santa Claus every direction you turn. You probably hear songs like “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells” piped into stores from speakers that seem inescapable.
Basically, Christmas is everywhere. But do you know the history of Christmas? And that more holidays take place in December than just the one that celebrates Jesus and features a jolly old man in red?
Christmas
For Christians, December 25 is a celebration of Jesus and his birth. On the more secular side of things, it’s a holiday to spend time with loved ones and give each other gifts.
However, the origins of this festive time go back to before Jesus was even born. European cultures celebrated the winter solstice around December 21, looking forward to more sunlight. The Norse celebrated Yule, a holiday where they burned a log and feasted until the fire went out – which could take up to twelve days. Romans celebrated Saturnalia in honor of the god of agriculture; businesses were closed so all could celebrate.
Christmas trees also have roots in these festivities. Plants that remained green during the winter reminded ancient peoples that the sun would come back, their harvests would be plentiful the next year, and that life could survive even in the winter. The Christmas tree we’ve come to know today started in the 16th century and is accredited to the Germans.
Hanukkah
Also known as the Festival of Lights, this eight-day Jewish celebration falls on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, this can fall in November or December. In 2022, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on December 18 and end at sundown on December 26.
Around 168 B.C.E., Judaism was outlawed by the Syrian- Greek king, Antiochus. He ordered everyone to worship the Greek gods. Antiochus took over the Second Temple, turning it into a place to worship Zeus. Rebels, known as the Maccabees,
succeeded in retaking their land from Syrian-Greek control. The Maccabees returned to the temple, which had been
defiled with the worship of Zeus and the sacrificing of pigs. The way to rededicate the temple was to burn untainted oil in the temple’s menorah for eight days. With only one day of oil left, they lit the menorah. The oil lasted them for eight days.
Today, the holiday revolves around lighting a candle on a special menorah known as a hanukkah. There are nine candles overall; one is used to light all of the others. Each night another candle is lit: one the first night, two the second night, and so on, until all eight are lit and the holiday ends. Foods fried in oil are eaten, dreidels are played with, and gifts are exchanged.
Kwanzaa
This Pan-African holiday was created in 1966 by activist Dr. Maulana Karenga. Taking place from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa is based on African harvest festival traditions.
It was created after the Watts riots to help bring African Americans together and reaffirm African heritage and culture.
The name comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” in Swahili, which means “first fruits” in English. Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates a certain principle: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
There are also seven symbols of Kwanzaa. First is the Mkeka (Placemat), which all of the symbols are placed upon. Then, the: Kinara (Candleholder), Mishumaa Saba (Seven Candles), Mazao (Crops), Muhindi (Corn), Kikombe cha Umoja (Unity Cup), and Zawadi (Gifts).
Celebrations include songs, dances, storytelling, poetry reading, and a traditional meal. Each night, everybody gathers while a child lights a candle in the kinara, and the principle for that day is discussed.
On December 31, the celebrations culminate with the Karamu Ya Imani (Feast of Faith). On the last day, homemade or educational gifts are given to family and loved ones.
12 | December 2022
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