By Copy Editor: Caitlin Daugherty
With the Fall semester ending and Christmas right around the corner it can be really fun to think about how other cultures celebrate Christmas.
In Latin America they celebrate a weeklong event called “Las Posadas” which recreates Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The two actors portraying Mary and Joseph visit houses that are designated as inns, and they travel to nine different houses each night. The event is usually followed by musicians. This is just one of the many interesting traditions in Latin America, but it certainly is one of the most exciting.
In Sweden, the feast of St Lucia is celebrated, and it involves young girls in white dresses and red sashes wearing candle crowns to honor the Saint Lucia who brought food to Christians that were on the run from Roman persecutors in the Catacombs while wearing candles on her head to light her path. Some of the foods eaten during the feast are salted fish dishes and green figs. As is the tradition for most Swedish occasions.
Finally, the most unusual Christmas tradition is from Japan, where Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is popular to eat during Christmas. Christmas is considered a romantic holiday, and many couples dine at KFC. A marketing campaign established in the 70’s in Japan firmly cemented KFC’s foothold in the country as a must have eating experience during the holidays. This is still in effect to this day, with people ordering buckets of chicken weeks in advance for Christmas.
Everybody from around the world who celebrate Christmas each have unique traditions that reflect their cultures. Maybe you can create a new tradition for your family that is unique to you!