EmbRACE Update - Worldwide Festivals 🌍

Each month we will be sharing information on the many celebrated Worldwide Festivals. Developed by our very own EmbRACE Working Group Colleague, Mandy Kaur, have a read of the latest update below which includes August's dates. 😊

It’s that wonderful time already, hope you enjoy reading August’s Edition.

4^th August 2022 – Qixi Festival - Chinese Herd boy and Weaving Maid Festival 

Otherwise known as China’s Valentines day, this celebration stems from an ancient folk tale of two stars, one on either side of the Heavenly River (the Milky Way). They are held to have been a herd boy and a heavenly weaving maid who had married but were separated when she returned to heaven. The lovers are allowed a reunion on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month when a flock of magpies form a bridge across the Heavenly River. The day is often celebrated by people learning to make floral arrangements, displaying floating river lanterns and you can also go and see an underwater wedding show!

6^th August 2022 – The Feast of Transfiguration 

This festival commemorates the occasion when Jesus went up a mountain with three of his disciples, Peter, James and John, who saw his face change and his clothes become dazzling white. Many churches have the tradition of bringing in grapes and other fruits to be blessed on the Feast of the Transfiguration and those celebrating will enjoy a special meal together. 

11^th August 2022 – Raksha Bandan 

 

Raksha means ‘protection’ and bandhan means ‘to tie’.   Women in families of a north Indian background tie a rakhi (amulet) on the right wrists of their brothers, wishing them protection from evil influences of various kinds, in return they are gifted with sweets and money. Although there isn’t specific details of where the tradition comes from, the bond between a brother and sister has been recognised through the ages and you can read many examples of the significance of these relationships for example when Lord Krishna was cutting sugar and accidentally cut his index finger which started bleeding profusely. While his consorts ran to bring bandage it, it was Draupadi’s presence of mind that made her cut a strip from her saree and tie it on his finger. Moved by this gesture, Krishna vowed to help her in her time of need, thus, Krishna fulfilled this promise when he helped Draupadi during the infamous disrobing ceremony and saved her honour. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the founder and ruler of the Sikh Empire, his wife Maharani Jindan sent a Rakhi to the ruler of Nepal, who accepted her as sister and gave her refuge in the Hindu kingdom of Nepal in 1849 after the collapse of the Sikh Empire.

Staying on the topic of the festival, Ramz from our Embrace Group wrote a personal article on what Raksha Bandhan means to her, click here to read more.

13th August  – O-Bon – The Ghost Festival 

 

The Obon festival (also known as Bon festival) is an annual Japanese holiday which commemorates and remembers deceased ancestors. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives. Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to guide the spirits and Obon dances (bon odori) are performed and there are lots of food stalls. Families have reunions and visit the graves of their relatives and make food offerings at altars and temples.

15^th August 2022 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary  

 

On this day, Eastern Orthodox Christians commemorate the passing of Mary, Mother of Christ, in the presence of the Apostles.  The apostles buried Mary at Gethsemane, where Jesus had also been buried; but on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, Mary appeared to them, saying "Rejoice".  When the apostles went to the grave, her body was gone, leaving a sweet fragrance. Catholic devotes will often attend mass on this day followed by a procession through the streets. Like many celebrations, there is a great feast and some people will plant a Mary Garden where the first fruits are planted. 

18/19^th August 2022 – Krishna Jayanti – the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna 

 

In Hinduism, Lord Krishna is known an one of the eight avatars of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be a very powerful deity. Lord Krishna is said to have 108 names. The figure of Lord Krishna is depicted as having blue or blue-black skin. He holds a flute (bansuri) and sometimes accompanied by a cow or cowherd, when Lord Krishna was a baby, he was often depicted as being a playful prankster and would steal butter to eat. Celebrations will last throughout the night with lots of singing, the idols of Lord Krishna will be redressed in bright beautiful clothes and jewellery and special prayers will take place. Devote Hindu’s will fast throughout the day. (for more information about the birth of Lord Krishna please see here)

30/31^st August 2022 – Ganesh Chaturthi - Birthday of Ganesh 

 

Ganesh Chaturthi in Hinduism is a 10 day festival marking the birth of the elephant headed deity Ganesha, worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles and bring good fortune.  At the start of the festival, idols of Ganesha are placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents. The worship begins with a ritual to invoke life in the idols, amid the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious texts, the idols are anointed with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings), considered to be Ganesha’s favourite food. At the end of the festival, the idols are carried to local rivers in huge processions accompanied by drumbeats, devotional singing, and dancing. There they are immersed, a ritual symbolizing Ganesha’s homeward journey to Mount Kailas

 

Fun Facts about August

• In August 1762 the sandwich, as we know it, was created when the Earl of Sandwich requested meat between two pieces of bread.

• Those born in August are brought into this world under one of two star signs. If you were born before August 22^nd, you’re considered to be a Leo. If you’re born on the 23^rd or later, you’re a Virgo.

• August was a big month for the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. It was on August 28, 1963, that Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous “I have a dream” speech to 250,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

• Only one of Shakespeare’s plays mentions the month August.

• On Aug. 21, 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre Gallery and not recovered for two years.

 

See you all next month for some more exciting celebrations! To all those celebrating, hope you enjoy yourselves! And if you are please send in your pictures to embraceworkinggroup@midcounties.coop 😊