The 13 Yule Lads of Icelandic folklore are rambunctious, hilarious, and also horrifying as an annual must-visit in this northern European island nation. Elves, born centuries ago in the popular imagination, leave gifts for children, but also spread terror.
these kids trollsComing from the mountains, they share few physical and personal affinities with the lovable Santa Claus, despite visiting both in December. As it is, whenever the twelfth month of the calendar returns, Krampus, a legendary figure casts a shadow over the imaginations in different regions, such as Germany and Austria.
Young masked men, their faces hidden behind masks, wear sheepskins and horns to recreate enchanting rituals on the streets of cities. They personify the “wild men” who accompany the figure of Saint Nicholas.
Before or after December 25, and sometimes weeks before or after, the world puts on Christmas clothes. From the Philippines to South Africa, and from Australia to the United States, a mixture of celebration which is, at different times, a pagan and Christian manifestation, as the American biologist Desmond Morris reminds us in his book Christmas Secrets (Europe America Publications, 1992): “Although Christmas is officially the celebration of the birth of Christ, almost nothing we do during Christmas celebrations has the slightest connection to Christianity, let alone the arrival of the Child Jesus. Except for the religious celebrations and scenes related to the Nativity, everything else roughly either derived from ancient pagan practices or the result of a modern commercial innovation.”
The commercial power of Christmas is embodied in the practice of Japan, in the Far East. Although there is no great history of festivities at this time of year, samurai country has become marketing From the 1970s, by an American brand of fried chicken, by associating the consumption of this bird with nativity ceremonies. The Christmas event is renewed every year.
Currently, millions of families book, months in advance, a table in chain stores. Fast food He was born in Kentucky by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1939. Spared from its New World ancestors, the largest part of the European Christmas menu, the turkey was consumed by the Indians who inhabited the territory of present-day Mexico and shipped on caravans in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistador Hernán. Curtis. A rare bird on the ancient continent, it makes itself special at the table and replaces the goose, the peacock, the swan, and the like.
Even when it comes to Christmas in the East, the enthusiastic Philippines is making the season its biggest moment with a devotional series from the masses, Simbang Gabi, beginning on December 16 and extending for nine days. They are joined by a celebration of light on the Saturday before Christmas. Ligligan Parul, San Fernando’s Giant Lantern Festival, attracts competition between villages that feature large, elaborate lanterns.
In the south, Santa Claus bathes
Outdoor Christmas celebrations that, in the Southern Hemisphere, coincide with the benefits of Southern Summer. Santa Claus goes surfing on the beaches of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, and diners gather around barbecues or picnics. Moments served with seafood and cold meats such as pork and roasted turkey. Gallic bird with a captive place on the Italian and Spanish table. The transit table also includes cod, pasta, eel, and Milanese. panettoneSweet bread. On the Spanish table, there is no shortage of pork, seafood, various fish, roast lamb and Roscon de Reyes (Cake is also common in Mexico and Argentina), a relative of polo rei. Spain reserves the 6th of January for the annual exchange of gifts.
Big night, served with a menu worthy of being in Germany, with ham, sausage and cake stolenButtery with raisins and candied fruit. From staples to the pleasures of decoration, Germans have such a strong affection for the Christmas tree that they bring it from the pagan practices of the oak cult. Christianity made the bridge between the pagan tree of worship and another tree that came to denote the Holy Trinity. The spruce, as it represents the three vertices of the triangle, constitutes God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. For the Germans, too, the Christmas wreath with its four candles, duly lit, falls on the quadrant of Sundays before December 25, in the Christmas decoration. In addition to tradition, the offerings carried by Christ, the “Child Jesus” who does not miss the call on the night of December 24 to 25, reach the hands of the little ones.
From childhood to mature ages, still in Italy, Befana, a character from local folklore, represents an elderly woman who flies on a broom and is a frequent visitor to children on the night of January 5-6.. In the little ones’ socks, it’s up to luck falling caramel or charcoal and garlic. Shows of generosity commensurate with the behavior of young people last year.
Don’t count on good or bad behavior, before luck, the Czech Republic has its single women throwing shoes over their shoulder. The way in which said shoe falls will determine the future luck in the marriage of the person who makes it fly.
The elves are spoiled and some beating
In more northern latitudes, in Sweden, elves are pampered at the same time. It is up to the humans to observe the good mood of Tomte, the wonderful maids of the house. Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, you have to leave them some food. Otherwise, bad luck comes to the homes with the advent of the New Year. Once Tomte is fed, the family is blessed with a rich Christmas table: the leatherWith meatballs, feathers, pickles, sausage, salmon, potato casserole with anchovies and rice pudding. To accompany the wine taught.
Without dwarves, but with a fertile imagination, Catalonia welcomes Christmas with the tradition of Caga Tió. Trunk, Tió de Nadal, is covered with a blanket and wearing the traditional Catalan hat. Children have a duty to “feed” the bearer of Christmas presents. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the wood is taken to the stove. There, the youngsters hit hard on Teo de Nadal and follow the local talking style: “Caga tió, Caga torró / Avellanes i mató / If no cagues bé / Et daré un cop de bastó / Caga tió.“On request, and in the absence of children, parents hide gifts under the blanket.
Peruvian Christmas is also not without physical rejoicing, bringing, on December 25, to the province of Chumbivilcas, in the Cusco region, the Takanakwi festival, which in free translation translates to the phrase “hit each other”. This is literally what happens, with battles under pre-set rules between different communities or people. They fight as a means of resolving old disputes and conflicts. The fights that go back to the traditions of the aborigines, are currently accompanied by music and dance. In the Americas, Mexico (also in Guatemala and Cuba), after Christmas, succumbs to Las Posadas, partying from December 16 to 24, with extras playing the roles of Maria and Jose. Even in Mexico, Christmas carries traditions piñataa game that forces you to whip a hanging clay pot full of goodies.
Hockey between villages
In Africa, in Ethiopia, it is called Christmas Jenna. In that country in the Horn of Africa, a game similar to hockey, in this case played between villages, is seen in mountainous regions. The competition, on January 7, is held outdoors, with contestants pushing a ball into the neighboring village with sticks. Legend has it that the game recreates an ancient game played by the shepherds on the night Jesus was born. Also on the African continent, below the equator, children in South Africa are looking forward to visiting Santa Claus. On December 25th, they leave you the sock that will hold gifts and cookies to keep you happy. At the table, the celebration includes beef, turkey, salads and Christmas pudding.
What the inhabitants of Uncle Sam’s land find are not stockings, but pickles, on their Christmas trees. The Midwest of the United States maintains a tradition Weihnachtsgurke. A practice based on many apocryphal stories asserting that a replica of a pickle, hidden in a Christmas tree and which would bring good luck to anyone who found it, arrived with waves of immigrants from Germany. A version lacking a foundation, as well as a narrative that ascends Pickle Christmas to the 19th century and the American Civil War. Bavarian soldier John C. After his release, he will annually decorate the Christmas tree with his own affectionate pickles.