MULTICULTURAL OBSERVANCES IN
DECEMBER 2015
DECEMBER Universal Human Rights Month The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR) was adopted by the UN in 1948 as a response to the Nazi holocaust and to set a standard
by which the human rights activities of all nations, rich and poor alike, are to be measured. Some
of the Rights are. No one shall be subjected to cruel and inhuman punishment, being entitled to a
fair and public hearing by an impartial tribunal, the right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers and effects', the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the
right to a standard of living to include food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary
social services, the right to education, the right to participate in the cultural life of the community,
not being arbitrarily deprived of his property, a speedy juried trial and right to legal counsel.
Daily Observances
December 1st
Rosa Parks Day (USA) Commemorates the arrest of Rosa Parks, in
1955, for defying segregation by refusing to give up her seat on the bus
for a white passenger. The incident led to the end of segregation.
December 1st
World AIDS DAY (UN) This day is designed by the World Health
Organization and the United Nations to increase awareness and
education of AIDS. Today, over 41 million people are living with
HIV/AIDS.
December 5th
Discovery Day (Haiti) Celebrates the day Christopher Columbus
found Haiti on his second voyage to the New World in 1492.
December 6th
St. Nicholas Day (Christian) He is the patron saint of Russia and
came from a town in Turkey. Being known as a protector of children,
the tradition of leaving shoes out in the hopes of receiving treats is
practiced in the Dutch, German and Eastern European communities.
December 7th
Pearl Harbour Day (USA) This day commemorates the attack of
the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force on the armed forces of the
United States stationed at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, killing two thousand
people. This caused the United States to enter into World War II.
December 7-14th
Hanukkah (Jewish) Begins previous sundown at 6pm. The Festival
of Lights is celebrated for eight days. Approximately in 164 BC,
Maccabeess, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom won
victory over the Syrians. The legend goes that to rededicate the Temple,
they found only one jar of holy oil and miraculously the candelabra
remained lit for eight days. The eighth candle menorah is lighted.
Special readings and songs of praise focus on liberty and freedom.
MULTICULTURAL OBSERVANCES IN
DECEMBER 2015
December 8th
Feast of Immaculate Conception (Christian) According to the
Catholic religion, Mary, the mother of Jesus was conceived without
Original Sin in the womb of her mother St. Anne.
December 8th
Bodhi Day (Buddhist) In Japanese Zen, Bodhi Day is called
‘Rohatsu’ and is the observance of enlightenment of the historical
Buddha. Zen monasteries observe this day with a meditation retreat
lasting several days. On the last night of a Rohatsu sesshin, monks and
students often sit in meditation until dawn, as the Buddha did 25
centuries ago.
December 10th
Human Rights Day (UN) Established in 1948 by the United Nations
to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which sets forth basic rights and freedoms to which all are
entitled.
December 12th
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico) An important religious festival
in Mexico. It commemorates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin to an
Indian boy in 1531. Processions, dances and visits are led to her Mexico
City shrine.
December 13th
Aga Khan’s Birthday (Islam Ismaili) He is the religious head of the
Ismaili sect.
December 13th
Luciadagen (Sweden) This day is also known as ‘Queen of Light’ a
candlestick parade takes place in her honour.
December 15th
Bill of Rights Day (USA) The first ten amendments to the United
States Constitutions are known as the Bill of Rights. Among the rights
are protected are freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and
protection from unreasonable search.
December 15th
Navidades (Puerto Rico) Marks the beginning of the Christmas
season and ends with Three Kinds Day on January 6th.
December 16th
Posadas (Thru Dec 24) (Mexico) Nine-day traditional celebration
throughout Mexico. Processions of pilgrims go door-to-door asking for
posada, which means shelter, commemorating the search by Mary and
Joseph for shelter.
December 22nde
Yule (Wicca) During the winter solstice- the longest night of the year,
the rebirth of the sun which is life sustaining is celebrated. The Yule
tree is decorated with fruit and candles are lit to represent the sun.
December 22nd
Solstice (International) In the Northern Hemisphere, winter begins
today. In the Southern Hemisphere, today is the beginning of summer.
Between the equator and the Arctic Circle, the sun rises and sets
MULTICULTURAL OBSERVANCES IN
DECEMBER 2015
farthest south on the horizon for the year and the period of daylight is
at its shortest… 12 hours, 8 minutes at the equator and decreasing to
zero at the Arctic Circle.
December 22nd
Tohji-Tasai (Shinto) The sun is of central importance in Japan and
this day celebrates the end of the Yin period of the Sun in its declining
strength and the growing power of the Yang period.
December 23rd
Joseph Smith’s Birthday (Christian) He was the American
Mormon Leader, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints.
December 24th
Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi (Islam) Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
Since no one really knows when Muhammad was born, the date of his
death has been adopted as the date of his birth. It is observed
differently in various Muslim countries for 9 days, with colourful fairs,
parades and feasting.
December 25th
Christmas Day (Christian) This day celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth
over 2000 years ago. Customs include lighting candles, exchanging
gifts, and using evergreen decorations to celebrate this day, the most
widely observed Christian festival of the year. In most communities it is
a family day.
December 26th
Death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroastrian) This day marks the
death of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith.
December 26th
Boxing day (Christian) It was once a day when the churches poor
boxes where opened. In Britain, originally a day when gifts (boxes) are
given to servants, tradespeople, or others who provide services.
December 26th
Kwanzaa (African-American/Canadian) A professor who wanted
to encourage blacks to celebrate their heritage started Kwanzaa’s in
California in 1966. Kwanzaa means first fruit in Swahili and is the
harvest festival. Families exchange gifts and have African-style feasts.
Seven-pronged candleholders are lit on each consecutive night for
seven principles: unity, self-determination, working together, sharing,
purpose, creativity and faith. The celebration continues until January
1st.
December 26th
Boxing Day (Canada, UK, Ireland) It was once a day when the
church’s poor boxes were opened. In Britain, originally a day when gifts
(boxes) are given to servants, tradespeople, or others who provide
services
MULTICULTURAL OBSERVANCES IN
DECEMBER 2015
December 26th
Wren Day/St Stephen’s Day (Ireland) On Wren Day, boys in
wren costumes go from house to house with a captured wren, singing
songs and gathering coins. These coins help to pay for big celebratory
feasts in the evening.
December 26th
Junkanoo (Bahamas) A festival that combines elements of Mardi
Gras, ‘mummers’ parades, and ancient African tribal rituals. Continues
on January 1.
December 30th
Rizal Day (Philippines) This day commemorates the death of Jose
Mercado Rizal in 1896, a Philippine doctor and author whose cooks
denounced Spanish administration. He was an inspiration to the
Philippines nationalist movement.
December 31st
Omisoka (Japan) To usher in the new year, families clean their
homes, eat toshi-koshi buckwheat noodles in the hope that one’s life
will be stretched out as long as these noodles. As midnight approaches,
Shino temples around the country begin ringing out the old year,
sounding the temple bell 108 times because according to them, human
beings have 108 worldly desires which are removed by striking the bell.
Most offices are closed December 30th-January 3rd.
Decemeber 31st-Jan 4th Gahamber Maidyarem (Thru Jan 4) (Zoroastrian) This day
celebrates the creation of animals. It is also for the equitable sharing of
food.