Morocco, Africa
"Saana Sa'iea!"
In Morocco, the tenth day after the new year is celebrated more than New Year's Eve or Day. The tenth day is called "Ashurah," which means "ten."
On Ashurah, children and some adults informally parade through the streets with small hand drums. Sometimes groups from different neighborhoods will meet up and make bigger, noisier parades. We visited the classrooms of the LS campus to drum in the New Year! Another special activity for the children is the once a year opportunity to play with water using squirt containers and water balloons. In Morocco, fresh water is precious and not to be wasted! We played joyfully in our water table as part of our class celebration. A special treat enjoyed at Ashurah is a bowl of nuts and dried fruit.
A special thank you to my neighbors Alouise and Abdel for helping us to learn about Ashurah and providing supplies and support to us!
We loved parading through the school with our drums!
Scotland, Europe
"Happy New Year!"
In Scotland, it is traditional to enjoy cake with a "wee dram" to drink. We baked the cake and called it good! However if a neighbor or stranger comes knocking at the door at midnight on New Year's Eve, called "First Footing," the Scottish way is to invite them in and serve them the traditional food and drink as they warm up by the fireside. After a brief visit, the visitor moves on. At midnight, the back door of the house is opened to let out the old year and the front door is left ajar to allow the new year to enter. Perhaps the "open door policy" is how the "midnight visitor" custom started!
Japan, Asia
"Ake mashi te omedetō"
"Ake mashi te omedetō"
In Japan, it is customary to ring a gong 108 times to signify the passing of the problems of the old year and to welcome the fresh hope that the new year brings. In many Asian cultures, 108 is a sacred number with much significance. Our "birthday boy" had the first ten strikes, and all of us followed with ten strikes apiece. Counting to 108 helped us to feel so accomplished!
We ate sushi with child sized, linked chopsticks which we got to take home at the end of the day.
We ate sushi with child sized, linked chopsticks which we got to take home at the end of the day.
(And we had cupcakes in honor of our friend's birthday!)
Chopsticks with fingers seemed to be the most effective way to get the sushi from plate to mouth!
When we went outside at the end of the morning, we each had a fortune cookie. As is the Japanese New Year's custom, we tied our fortunes to the tree overhanging our playground.
In Colombia, it is traditional to eat 12 grapes to bring good luck to each month of the new year. We alternated counting, then saying the months of the year, as we distributed the grapes. Fried Plantains are eaten, as well, which our class enjoyed doing in class as part of snack. Another fun activity that Colombian children do is to run through the neighborhood with a piece of luggage to bring travel and adventure to the year! The crowns were made in French class, just prior to going outside at the end of the morning.
We are learning different viewpoints!
During work time, we were fascinated that the children worked collaboratively to build an enormous castle, complete with "thrones" for princes and princesses to sit upon. I wondered whether the unconscious collective psyche of the class knew something about the Spanish colonial conquest and subsequent "ruling" for hundreds of years of South and Central America!
Decorative flowers were made to create a garden for the castle!
Australia--- a country and a continent!
Beach ball rolling...
and tossing,
Movement Games
Hopping,
Crawling,
Skipping,
Walking,
"Skating,"
Somersaulting,
and Tummy Sliding!
Chopsticks with fingers seemed to be the most effective way to get the sushi from plate to mouth!
When we went outside at the end of the morning, we each had a fortune cookie. As is the Japanese New Year's custom, we tied our fortunes to the tree overhanging our playground.Colombia, South America
"Prospero Año Nuevo!"
In Colombia, it is traditional to eat 12 grapes to bring good luck to each month of the new year. We alternated counting, then saying the months of the year, as we distributed the grapes. Fried Plantains are eaten, as well, which our class enjoyed doing in class as part of snack. Another fun activity that Colombian children do is to run through the neighborhood with a piece of luggage to bring travel and adventure to the year! The crowns were made in French class, just prior to going outside at the end of the morning. We are learning different viewpoints!During work time, we were fascinated that the children worked collaboratively to build an enormous castle, complete with "thrones" for princes and princesses to sit upon. I wondered whether the unconscious collective psyche of the class knew something about the Spanish colonial conquest and subsequent "ruling" for hundreds of years of South and Central America!
Decorative flowers were made to create a garden for the castle!
Australia--- a country and a continent!
"G'Day, Mate --- Happy New Year!"
How about a summer beach party "down under ?" We Aussies are the first in the world to celebrate the new year and we love to party!
( How many ways can we have fun with a beach towel?)
We had a picnic seated on the floor around our beach towel, complete with little sandwiches and deviled eggs, then played games.
Beach ball rolling...
and tossing,
Movement Games
Hopping,
Crawling,
Skipping,
Walking,
"Skating,"
Somersaulting,
and Tummy Sliding!The last "movement game" was the all time favorite of the class. Every child had a turn to lie down lengthwise on the beach towel. Cathy and I wound two corners into our hands, lifted, and turned the beach towel into a hammock. We sang a spontaneous hammock swinging song as each child giggled and relaxed into the gentle sway. We loved having a "beach party in Australia," especially on a rainy, cold winter day in the Pacific Northwest!
Wherever and however you celebrate, have the Happiest New Year ever!
Bear Hugs, Judith
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