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So cool to read about everyone's home tradition they miss the most! I'm from England but I've been living in the States for five years and the thing I miss the most is Bonfire Night on November 5th.
The best thing about Bonfire Night is the fireworks, oh, and the bonfires! … and the history behind it. Basically, Guy Fawkes and his friends tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. They nearly did it too – they hired a room under the House of Parliament and filled it with explosives. But someone told the royal palace. The authorities found Guy Fawkes in the room guarding the explosives, and he was sentenced to torture and death.
So it's a tradition that celebrates the fact that the king survived. It also means people don't forget what happens if you plot against your country. There's a kind of poem about it that starts 'Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.' That's why we build a 'guy' – a life-size model of Guy Fawkes – and burn it on the bonfire. Pretty dark and horrible when you think about it!
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It's nice to read about everyone's home tradition they miss the most! I'm from Thailand. I'm taking about Songkarn Festival during April 13 until April 15 each year.
Songkarn Festival or Water Festival is Thai New Year. Most people would go back to hometown. They would make merit and offer foods to the monks in the morning. They would do a requiem with their family. They would clean and bath the Buddha with Thai traditional perfume. They would also pour water on the hands of reversed elders and ask for blessing.
There are many activities on this festival. Temple fair is one popular of them. There's place of religious ceremony, local Thai foods, a local theme park etc. Splashing water and puting Songkarn powder with friends. There is Miss Songkarn Contest. Everyone wears a shirt with colorful flower printing on these days.
This festival makes everyone happy.
Hey, guys!
It's so good learning about traditions of different countries!
My name is Isabella and I am from Brazil. In the region that I live - the Northeast region - we have a very famous party in June. It's called São João, something like San Jonh in English language. It's a colorful and joyful party. At the São João's night, people wear typical clothes and dance forró, a kind of Brazilian music. They also use prepare typical food and build bonfires.
So fascinating to read about several traditions around the world!
My name is Maria and I am from Italy. You might find interesting to learn about a tradition of my country as well.
Every 2th november we celebrate to remember people that passed away: relatives and friends that we used to love and always will have a special place in our hearts. The tradition expects that we bring flowers to the cemetry to place them on the graves. When we return home we use to have a particular meal composed by different kind of sweets called "Ossa di morto" and "Rame di Napoli" as if our loved ones have given us a gift from the other world. In addition, parents use to buy and hide a present for their children and than organize a "treasure hunt" to look for it. It's a special tradition in which the kid thinks that the present found is from the beloved friend/relative died. Maybe you could find it "creepy", but for italian people is a chance to remember their departed friends, despite the hectic life we all lead everyday on the earth.
Hi, Mapa_92! Thanks for share this Italian tradition. I think it's a little sad, at least about the objective of the treasure hunt with the children and the meal.
Whatever, in Brazil, we have a similar traditional, the exception is the meals and the treasure hunt, but in this same date, some people use to visit the cemetery to leave flowers on the graves of their friends or relatives that passed away. November 2 th is known here by Dia de Finados.
Is there a name for this tradition?
Hello hourariteacher,
Yes, it's called Bonfire Night.
You can read more about it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonfire_Night
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
It's great to read your comments and know there are lots of people from various countries. It's going to be my first comment on this site. I'm from Turkey, and our traditions are various because our history comes from the Ottoman Empires. Lots of culture lived together in Ottoman Empires and their traditions mixed together. I'm living in the capital, so the traditions are not very deeply rooted in here. But in my dad's village, it's very common to sacrifice a goat before weddings. They always cook chickpeas and goat meat together. They cook wheat like rice and serve it. There is sometimes salad if the family wishes to make it :). We always use onions in our meals, and at my cousin's wedding, I've cut like 20 onions. I was not the only one who was cutting onions; there were 4 other women. My hands smelled like onions for a couple of days, even though I was wearing plastic gloves. Also, I would like to share something not very common happening in my dad's village. Some women who wear hijab normally don't wear hijab at their wedding day. Also, sometimes their close relatives choose not to wear. It's an interesting thing even for my other Turkish friends, but they choose to do it like that.
Hi everyone, it is nice to read about other country's traditions. As an Indonesian, I have a lot of traditions (you know, Indonesia consists of many tribes). But one of the traditions I love is having a big food festive after Ied Prayer. It is a tradition when we exchange our dishes with neighbors and friends and then have the dishes together with all the villagers. I like the tradition because, in my opinion, it is not just about sitting and having meals together, but also strengthening the ties of brotherhood.
Hello everyone! This is Mia.It's great to hear so many wonderful tranditions from different countries. I'm from China, a place with a super ancient history. Our biggest celebration is the Spring Festival, marking the start of the new year based on the moon calendar. When I was a kid, on that day, I'd wear new clothes and get a red pocket with money from my parents. Plus, we'd have the best meal with at least 10 different dishes. It's the most fun and special time for my whole family each year.
Hi everyone!
Thanks for telling us about your national traditions and holidays. It's really interesting.
I'd like to tell you about the "New Bread Holiday" in Mari El. It is celebrated every year on August 2nd. The tradition is related to the rye harvest. People on this holiday cook bread and many tasty dishes, bless the new harvest, and remember their deceased ancestors. Usually, all relatives get together. Moreover, even relatives who live far away come home for this holiday.
This holiday is a day for families and friends to come together. I believe that many other cultures have similar holidays. After all, we all need to be close with our families, relatives, and friends. If you have a similar holiday, tell us about it, please.