Traditions

How are traditions passed down?

Family TraditionsEvery year since I was little ( a very long time ago), my mother and father used to have an open house for all of their neighbors, family and friends on Christmas Eve, to celebrate. It was always a potluck buffet style affair. There were always lots of goodies and those special treats. We were the poorest among them all and this was a glorious day for us as children. So many people, so much food, the clothes were so pretty and the tree so big.

Birthdays Africa

In many African cultures, the day a child is born is not observed as a special day. Instead, when African children reach a certain age, they are initiated into the community. This allows them to learn about the laws of their culture and participate in ancient rituals. Coming-of-age initiations are commonly done in groups rather than with individual children.

Mexican birthday celebrations feature piñatas filled with candy and small toys. At birthday parties, children take turns hitting the piñata, a hollow figure shaped like an animal, flower, automobile, or other object that is suspended from the ceiling. While blindfolded, kids hit the piñata with a stick until it breaks open. When the treasures rain down on the floor, everyone scrambles to collect them. People believe that the child who breaks open the piñata will have good luck.

At an Israeli child's birthday party, he or she sits in a special chair decorated with fresh flowers and greens. To celebrate the child's age, family and friends gather around the chair, lifting and raising it once for each year of life - plus one more for good luck!

AsiaIn China, people believe that tigers protect children. Family members bring newborns special food and present them with gifts of clothing or toys decorated with tigers. When a Chinese girl or boy turns one year old, a variety of objects and toys are placed on the floor around the child. According to ancient beliefs, the object that the child chooses is a symbol foreshadowing the profession he or she will pursue in life.

Ireland"Birthday bumps" are given to Irish children in honor of their birthday. While held upside down, the birthday celebrant is gently bumped on the floor one time for every year of age - plus one extra "bump" for good luck!

Vocabulary

The borderborder around the quiltquilt makes it stand

out.

linen

threaded

scraps

sewn

needles

huppa

The bride and groom stood under the huppa.

challah

My mom made challah for the religious holiday.

babushka

My grandmother wears a babushka.

gathering

We had quite a large gathering at the wedding reception.

handkerchief bouquet

The bride held a handkerchief in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other hand.

artificial

It was easy to see the flowers were artificial.

hauling

The boy was hauling the dirt in his wagon.

poverty

Many children in Africa live in poverty. They do not have enough clothes to wear or enough food to eat.

Internet Links

http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/keeping_quilt/kq_index.html