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Article: Winter Traditions Around the World
Writers: Graceana Hardy & Hana Soltani
Dongzhi Festival
For over 2000 years the citizens of China have celebrated the winter solstice by gathering with their families in what is known as the Dongzhi festival, or Chinese Winter Solstice. Marking the arrival of winter, the Dongzhi Festival revolves around the making and eating of glutinous rice balls called tangyguan.
The origin of this tradition is rooted in the Chinese concept of yin and yang. The shorter days of winter have inadequate amounts of yang energy, leading people to eat foods that are yang in nature during the Dongzhi Festival. The warm foods balance the yin of the cold.
Yalda Night
Yalda Night is a Persian tradition that occurs from the evening of the last day of fall to the dawn of the first day of winter. During this night, people from Iran and surrounding countries gather their friends and family to honor the solstice.
Persian people do this by eating fruits such as pomegranate, watermelon, and persimmon. Watermelon in particular carries meaning, as one myth states that eating watermelon on Yalda Night makes you immune to winter's cold weather. Another important Yalda Night tradition is reciting poetry, typically those created by Hafez, a prominent Persian poet from the 1300s. Yalda night is an evening of celebration, which brings hope that light will triumph over the darkness of winter.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a one-week-long African-American and pan-African holiday, celebrating family, community, and culture. This tradition started in 1966 and is an annual event from December 26 to January 1.
Kwanzaa is a reminder of the 7 core principles of African American culture represented by one candle lit every day of the celebration: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Additionally, poems are recited, writings of great African American writers are
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