The American tradition of having an eggnog around the tree and New Year bonfires are far from universal. Gregory Grinnell has put together a range of different new year traditions from around the world for the Northeastern University blog. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting ones.
In an interesting folktale in Iceland, it is believed that if one does not have one’s winter clothes ready by the end of the year, a malicious cat will attack the person. Though this could have its origins in the need for sustaining the wool industry, which is one of Iceland’s most important trading industries, to finish the processing before the advent of cold months, it did make sure that the Icelanders were well insulated for the winter period.
Greece, on the other hand, has a more fun tradition to boast of. A cake is baked every year with a coin hidden in the inside. It is cut on the New Year day and a slice is given to each member present, according to the age in descending. The person who finds the coin is considered to have good luck for the upcoming year.
While these traditions have been going on for a long time now, a new trend has now emerged in Japan called KFC dinner. The tradition is to get a meal from the fast food outlet for the day instead of having a meal cooked at home. So popular is the tradition that reservations need to be made months before at Kentucky Fried Chicken to ensure that you will get a KFC meal on the day.
While New Year maybe a celebration around the world, it is interesting to note how each culture has its own way of welcoming the upcoming year. It is respecting these differences and celebrating such varied traditions that make us all truly global.
N Malavika Mohan
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