Learn about the Assorted Cultures of South America, China and India
Traveling overseas is a fantastic adventure, irrespective which destination is selected. Each culture has its own oddities and eccentricities, but is of equal importance to all other threads in the quilt of humanity. The cultural story of the world is all weaved together by each regional color. Each culture is different in their customs, celebrations and most interestingly, their holidays. Looking at the 3 prominent regions, we can understand how South Americans, Chinese and Indians celebrate holidays.
South America holidays are principally Catholic in nature. Because of this, Saints carnivals are some of the most popular holidays in South America; Dia de Todos Los Santos for example celebrates all Catholic saints, but each day of the year celebrates a specific saint. South Americans usually get their names based on the saint whose day they were born on. Festivals such as Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday are very popular, South America has a similar called Carnaval. Carnaval celebrates the day before the forty-day Catholic festival of Lent and involves massive celebrations of excess, samba music, and parades.
Holidays in China can be very different for the locals and are very dissimilar to other countries. China is recognized for its unique culture where the religious and conventional meets the trendy and the eccentric. The chinese celebrate their holidays with great spiritual importance. Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday celebrated in China. Everyone in China take Chinese New Year very seriously and hold the day sacred, partaking in rituals and traditions to ensure a lucky year ahead. A more modern holiday is Woman’s Day, a day that all women in China are allowed to take off work.
Holidays in India have a different tone than either of the aforementioned countries. These holidays range from those related to Hinduism to Christian holidays, to Muslim celebrations. For people in India, holidays come every day of the year. The most famous civic holiday celebrated is the birthday of celebrated civil rights leader, Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi’s natal day has been designated as a day of non-violence, and no alcohol is sold on this day in his respect.
Travelling is made more interesting when you learn more about the diverse cultures. These are just a handful of the many wonderful and exciting holidays seen abroad.