7 Fascinating Culture-Based Traditions from Around the World
Culture-based traditions offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of tradition and customs that have been carried on for generations. While some of these traditions have been modified or lost over the years, others have continued to thrive, offering a deep connection to the roots of a community. In this article, we take a look at seven fascinating culture-based traditions from around the world that are still prevalent today.
1. The Holi Festival, India
The Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration of spring that takes place throughout India and Nepal. It’s a time where people forget their differences and come together with colour and joy. The celebration involves people throwing coloured powders and water at each other in a carefree atmosphere of merriment, music, and dance.
2. The Day of the Dead, Mexico
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is an annual Mexican event that honours the dead. It’s believed that on this day, the spirits of departed family members visit the world of the living. The holiday is celebrated with altars of bright flowers, candles, and foods like tamales and pan de muerto. It’s a lively, colourful spectacle that pays tribute to the past lives of loved ones, reminding the living to cherish every moment.
3. Bun Festival, Hong Kong
The Bun Festival is celebrated annually on Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong, where locals build a giant bamboo tower and cover it with white buns. The festival begins with a parade of lion dancers and ends with an exciting contest — participants scramble up the tower to collect as many buns as possible. The tradition dates back over 100 years, and while it started as a superstition to ward off evil spirits, it has evolved into a vibrant part of local culture and draws thousands of tourists each year.
4. Cherry Blossom Festival, Japan
The Cherry Blossom Festival, or Hanami, is a celebration of spring and nature in Japan. During this time, people gather to view the blooming cherry trees and celebrate the fleeting beauty of nature with picnics and sake-drinking. It’s a time of renewal and hope, and the custom has been celebrated for over a thousand years.
5. Carnival, Brazil
Carnival in Brazil is one of the most famous festivities in the world. It’s a vibrant, colourful celebration of Brazilian culture, and it’s an opportunity for people to come together to dance and sing to the rhythm of samba music. The excitement and thrill of Carnival are contagious, with parades that run for several days and include hundreds of participants dressed in flamboyant costumes.
6. Lantern Festival, Taiwan
The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year in Taiwan, where people release paper lanterns into the sky, symbolising the release of troubles and worries. These lanterns are decorated with riddles, well-wishes, and messages to loved ones, and lighting them is a way of signalling good luck for the future.
7. Easter Island Tapati Festival, Chile
The Easter Island Tapati Festival is a two-week-long celebration of Rapa Nui culture, located in Chile’s Easter Island. It’s a celebration of native heritage, and it includes music, song, dance, and sporting events. At the heart of the festival is the competition between two island tribes, who challenge each other in a series of traditional Maori games, such as the Tiroriro Haka, pole climbing, and banana throwing.
Conclusion
Culture-based traditions offer a fascinating window into the world’s diverse cultural heritage, providing a glimpse into customs and practices that have been upheld for generations. These traditions are not only steeped in history, but they also offer a profound connection to the communities that have carried them forward. From the vibrant colours of the Holi Festival to the quiet contemplation of the Cherry Blossom Festival, the customs and traditions of different cultures are a window into their past, present, and future.
