Culture and Food
Camp Unity Polynesian Summer Camp
By Angelika Sinapopo
Did you want to learn more about Polynesian culture? Then maybe this Polynesian-owned summer camp in Daly City is for you. Camp Unity was founded in 2011 by Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’i to learn about Polynesian culture and spread Polynesian culture. Journey through the South Pacific Islands of Polynesia as we learn the sacred dances of Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, Maori, Tahiti, and Samoa. As we learn a dance from each of these Polynesian islands, we learn what some of the movements mean and how they connect to each word to the songs. As were dancing, we are telling different stories from different Polynesian islands
. For example, they pick 2 people to represent Tonga and Samoa for each grade at the end of the Luau. A Samoan solo is called a taualuga. It symbolizes the conclusion of a monumental task and the beautifying final touches involved. A taufale a performed by a girl, boy, or both. When it's just performed by a girl called a Siva, they wear a headpiece called a tuiga a ceremonial headdress from Samoa. When an upcoming Samoan senior is going to perform a solo we all circle them and clap to spotlight them for their last year of camp unity. A Tongan solo performed by a girl is called a tau'olunga a graceful dance that is similar to a Samoan taualuga. When a boy is dancing with the girl performing a tauolunga it's called a tulafale.
When were performing a Polynesian dance people threw money to represent as part of a fundraising for the following year of camp unity. I have been going to Camp Unity since 2015 and I always loved it, this camp helped me learn more about the Polynesian culture, get better at different Polynesian dances, and get better at speaking them. If you are interested in signing up go it https://www.campunity.org/ it gives you more information about the camp and also information for signing up.
Quinceañeras
(girl’s 15th birthday as the transition between childhood and young adulthood.)
Mitzvá
(In its primary meaning, the Hebrew word mitzvah refers to a commandment commanded by God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish law in large part consists of discussion of these commandments. According to religious tradition, there are 613 such commandments.
For Jada’s thirteenth birthday this summer she went to Great America with her friends. For Jada’s eleventh birthday she had a pool party and a sleepover in a hotel suite with her friends. On Jada’s tenth birthday she went with her family on a trip to Tahoe. On Jada’s eighth birthday she went with her family and friends to an arcade. On Jada’s first birthday her family threw two parties. One was a barbecue at a park that they rented out, and the other was at Safari run. They’d rented out a private room there for a few hours.
Birthday Origins-
by Elizabeth Pineda Torrez
Well, it is not known exactly when celebrating birthdays began, but it is believed that the first mentions of a birthday came from Ancient Egypt, where great celebrations were organized for the pharaoh. These celebrations were coronation dates, symbolic of the pharaoh's birth as a "god." It is said that the first of them took place around the year 3,000 BC.It is said that information about the first case of a birthday celebration can be found in the Hebrew Bible, which describes such a celebration for the Egyptian pharaoh.
Like many things, this Egyptian tradition (birthdays) was not going to be the exception so this tradition came to be used by the ancient Greeks in a similar way, they celebrated their gods as a form of tribute. To do this, they offered moon-shaped cakes to the lunar goddess Artemis. As a way to recreate the brightness of the Moon and the beauty of Artemis, the Greeks added lit candles to make the cakes appear to glow. This is a curious fact since the tradition of candles on top of the cake continues to this day.
Despite hosting the most celebrated birthday in the world, Christmas, early in the history of the Christian church, birthdays were considered pagan rituals. In their first few hundred years of existence, they believed that birthday celebrations were bad and did not allow them. This changed around the 4th century when the birth of Jesus began to be celebrated. It is said that they began celebrating in hopes of attracting people who were already observing the Roman festival of Saturnalia. In medieval times, the nobility began to celebrate their royal birthdays, while the peasants celebrated their 'Saint's Day', which was the saint after whom they were named.
Most research points to Rome as the first society to begin celebrating the birthdays of non-religious figures. However, they did it only for men, since women did not celebrate birthdays until the 12th century. The Romans were also the first to have holidays dedicated to the birthdays of their most famous citizens, as instituted by the government. Roman celebrations also gave rise to the practice of giving generous gifts. Many of the common features of a modern birthday party come from late 18th century Germany. In that time, birthday celebrations have become much more accepted. For example, in China, a child's first birthday was a specific event that had to be honored. But it reached Germany, where the creation of Kinderfeste (children's events) became the clearest precursor to today's birthday parties. It was here that a child's birthday would be celebrated with a birthday cake and candles indicating his or her age, with an additional candle to symbolize the year ahead. This is also where the practice of blowing out candles to make a wish began. Extinguishing the candle and making a wish is a tradition that is maintained in certain cultures to this day.
It was previously considered that only people from high society could celebrate their birthday due to the high costs of cake ingredients, however, this changed with the explosion of the Industrial Revolution. At that time, ingredients became much more accessible and affordable to the poor with the introduction of the conveyor belt in bakeries, allowing bakers to offer pre-made cakes at more reasonable prices to parents who could not afford them. pay for them, bringing birthdays to the widest market they had ever had up to that point.
All birthdays are important for certain cultures and religions, but there is a specific age that is given more importance. Japan celebrates Coming of Age Day, the second Monday in January, as a way to congratulate and encourage all birthdays. who turned 20 last year, as it is a symbol of their entry into adulthood. jewish boys and girls have a mitzvah (bar and bat, respectively) on either their 12th or 13th birthday, depending on which discipline of Judaism they follow.Many Hispanic countries, along with Brazil, celebrate Quinceañeras, which is the celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday as the transition between childhood and young adulthood.
A Recipe of Spaghetti
by Frida Medellin Hernandez
Spaghetti is a classic Italian dish that has become a staple in many households around the world. Its simplicity and versatility make it a go-to meal for busy weeknights or special occasions. To create the perfect plate of spaghetti, one must follow a few key steps.
Firstly, gather all the necessary ingredients: spaghetti noodles, tomato sauce, ground beef or meatballs, onions, garlic, and spices such as oregano and basil. Begin by boiling water in a large pot and adding salt to enhance the flavor of the pasta. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the spaghetti noodles and cook until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until they become translucent. Next, add ground beef or meatballs to brown them evenly. Once cooked through, pour in tomato sauce and season with oregano and basil for an authentic Italian taste.
Once both pasta and sauce are ready, drain the noodles before combining them with the sauce in a large serving bowl. Toss gently to ensure every strand is coated with flavorful goodness.
To elevate this dish further, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top or garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve alongside warm garlic bread for an unforgettable meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
In conclusion, mastering a recipe for spaghetti requires attention to detail and quality ingredients. With its simple yet delicious flavors, this timeless dish has earned its place as a beloved favorite among food enthusiasts worldwide.