Since the dawn of time, humans have adopted the practice of observing rituals, traditions, and customs. Many of these family traditions around the world make more sense if done with family, so we can say that they’re indeed family traditions around the world.
These family traditions around the world have helped us carry on the heritage of our predecessors, who created a solid methodical basis for their future generations, taught us what it means to be human, and provided us with a more profound knowledge of the purpose of it all.
Xinar has its great tradition of supporting DIY crafters and jewelry makers from all walks of life. And when it comes to creating great mementos of family life, nothing beats our food, household, garden charms, and love & peace charms. Our family and love charms can make any family-themed jewelry creation shine.
And regardless of nation or culture, every person on the earth observes these family traditions around the world uniquely; yet everyone shares family. Following such customs has brought us closer to our family spiritually, allowing us to maintain our connection to our ancestry. Here are some fascinating and entertaining family traditions around the world.
Germany: Celebrate Their Children’s First Day Of School.
In Germany, when a youngster attends their first day of school, the child’s family members celebrate in a very festive manner.
This event is referred to as Einschulung. In Germany, the first day of school is a significant occasion, so families give their children school supplies, and the school has an assembly to greet the new kids. In addition, Schultüten (large paper cones packed with candies) are presented to incoming pupils as a symbol of good luck at the beginning of their school adventure.
Einschulung commemorates the first day of Grade 1. This day traditionally holds plenty of personal significance to kids and adults, and the Einschulung tradition has evolved into a magnificent celebration of kindergarten graduates entering elementary school.
Typically, the Einschulung celebration is held on the first Saturday of the school year. Before the Einschulung ceremony, the second and third graders prepare to greet their new classmates, who will begin school on Monday. Monday after Einschuling Saturday is the formal start of the school year.
The day has two components: an enrollment ceremony and a family celebration. Typically, the Einschulungszeremonie is held in the school, with introductions and music. Following the school event, the family assembles for lunch. Some Berlin families reserve Einschulung lunch tables months in advance. This is one of the better family traditions around the world for kids!
There are no actual lessons on this day, but the school principal (Schuldirektor) and class instructors will send a welcoming message to the incoming students and parents. The other second and third graders may even sing a few songs or poetry to welcome the new kids. After the first presentation, the children travel to their classrooms without their parents, where they are told where to sit and store their backpacks.
After settling in, students may engage in a brief lecture and an art project relating to Einschulungstag. They will be given a class schedule and maybe a welcome gift from the class and teacher. Before students are reunited with their parents, they will be photographed with their Schultüte in hand.
India: Feeding Animals During Thai Pongal
In south India, families from all southern states leave their houses to feed animals, especially cows and birds, to express their appreciation towards them and mother nature, and to feel linked to the origins and basics of coexistence amongst different species. This ritual has been observed for centuries, and people partake in it annually, often when the Hindu harvest festival of Thai Pongal approaches.
Each family member, including children and grandparents, feeds the animals by laying fruits, grains, and other goodies on banana leaves in various areas of the town and forest.
Thai Pongal occurs on the second of four days of celebrations. This day corresponds with the winter harvest festival Makara Sankranthi, celebrated throughout India. Moreover, it signifies the beginning of Uttarayanam, the day of the sidereal solstice. This is when the sun supposedly enters the tenth house of the Indian zodiac, also known as Makara or Capricorn.
“overflowing” means the Tamil term Pongal, which signifies wealth and prosperity.
During the celebration, milk is boiled in a pot. When the liquid begins to bubble and overflow the pot, freshly harvested rice grains are added. Simultaneously, other people blow a sanggu conch and cry “Pongalo Pongal!” [They also chant “Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum,” which translates as “the beginning of Thai opens the door to new prospects.” This occurs regularly throughout the Pongal holiday. The “pongal” is then served alongside savory and sweet dishes such as vadai, murukku, and paayasam to everyone in the household.
Japan: Remembering the Ancestors
The Japanese are renowned worldwide for their festivals and customs. However, one of these family rituals stands out due to its extraordinarily spiritual and mystical aspects.
Traditional Japanese architecture typically incorporates a modest family altar or chamber known as butsudan to show respect for deceased ancestors. Every year, families gather for one day to honor their ancestors by placing their portraits on the family altar, conducting rituals, talking about them, and passing food (a bowl of rice) and flowers as offerings. The entire feel and ambiance of this tradition are solid and profound.
Ancestral respect is one of the critical pillars of Japanese tradition towards death and one of the invisible underpinnings of the Japanese social structure. The Japanese’s concern for ancestor spirits’ well-being stretches throughout their history and affects every part of their society. It also emphasizes the contrast between ancestors and kami whose spirits are not ancestors.
Although the protecting kami of a community and ancestral spirits in specific locations may become identical, the following scenario demonstrates that the difference is nevertheless made initially. In sangaku shinko, the ancient mountain worship of Japanese religion, the dwelling of the ancestral souls is frequently identified as a neighboring mountain.
Megurigito is held in midsummer and is a unique type of ancestor reverence. The council of elders visits the members of the myo while transporting their ancestral kami on a miniature omikoshi (portable shrine or palanquin). After praying to the kam at each home, visitors are served food and sake. Afterward, village-related concerns and public works are discussed.
Australia: Seafood and Family Gatherings on Christmas Day
Australian families have a very distinctive manner of celebrating Christmas, making them a forerunner in our countdown of the best family traditions around the world. In contrast to the diverse ways Christmas is observed in other nations. Currently, Christmas vacations in Australia occur during the summer season. It is customary for families to assemble on Christmas day for a large and wonderful seafood feast. Before Christmas Eve, the Sydney fish market is open for a staggering 36 hours to provide the Australian populace with pre-cooked seafood.
Southern Italian immigrants to the United States in the 1800s created a Christmas Eve tradition known as the feast of the seven fishes. Seven different seafood dishes are served on December 24.
Italian American enclaves are known to offer up more than a dozen seafood dishes at the feast as the practice has gained popularity. Indulgence is one of the reasons why Australians like seafood during Christmas. Certain species, such as shrimp, freshly shucked oysters, and salmon, have a luxurious quality that makes them ideal for festivities.
Fresh prawns and oysters are among the most sought-after items at the Sydney Fish Market, where Australians prefer to keep things simple. However, scallops and fish such as salmon and snapper are gaining popularity.
Also suitable for the Australian summer heat, chilled seafood is a quick way to enjoy without the hassle of slow-cooking roasts or other hot foods. No one will be toiling in a hot kitchen for hours on Christmas Day, ideally suited to our environment.
Trinidad: Memorable Camping, Family Vacations, Barbecue, and More
Once a year, families in Trinidad visit their elders’ homes to go camping and spend a night around the campfire, sharing stories and having fun. If you’re looking for family traditions around the world that involve the outdoors, this is probably one of the best examples.
Grandparents frequently recount traditional historical or folk tales about their culture and jumbies, sometimes associated with supernatural happenings. After the storytelling session, everyone meets for an excellent barbecue supper, plays games, and enjoys one other’s company, which is unusual for families due to everyone’s hectic schedules.
Easter is not only a time for Christians to honor, renew, and celebrate their religion but also for residents to observe other Trinidadian customs.
Good Friday traditions include the creation and pounding of the bobolee. Kite-flying is another Easter custom that is rising in popularity. Good Friday is also associated with the consumption of hot cross buns, fish, and provisions. Easter camping is a ritual that is also rising in popularity. Trinidadians camp on the beachfront for what is now known as the weekend break.
Malabar Farms Estate on Manzanilla beach is one location that has yet to be found by most people.
The campers are an independent and dynamic community. They frequently construct their equipment from home-style portable toilets, showers, and outdoor kitchens connected to their water systems and fed by portable water tanks on trucks.
They produce their electricity using generators, are environmentally concerned about burning fallen coconut branches and termite nests to discourage biting insects, carry gas tanks to ignite their grills, and bring barbecue pits.
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