Celebrating different days for different cultures - Worksheet for learners

Have you noticed that in our country there are a lot of different people?  We are called the Rainbow nation.

We have different cultures and religions.  Even though we are different from each other, we are all special.

                                               

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What is the meaning of culture?

Your culture is something that you do.  Maybe you 'braai' or wear special clothes to a wedding or funeral, you eat certain types of foods, all of this is your culture.  Most of them we have inherited (gotten) from our parents and grandparents.

• Think about your culture and tell your friend about it.  What do you do, or wear or eat for special occasions?

What is religion?

This means what or Who you believe in.  Are you a Christian, a Hindu, Muslim or maybe Jewish?  There are many types of religions in our country and all over the world.

• What is your religion and what or Who do you believe in?

Different religions have different special days that they celebrate.  Lets have a look at a few.

Christmas

Christians celebrate Christmas .  They give one another presents and they decorate a huge tree and put an angel or star at the top of the tree.  Stories are told of Father Christmas that brings the presents to children who were good during the year.  They also celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It is a happy day where family and friends get together.

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Divali

Divali are celebrated by Hindus and Buddhist (and some other cultures) and is also called the festival of lights.  They celebrate good winning over evil.  It is a 5 day festival.  A lot of lights are put up and candles are lit and sweets and cakes are given to people who visit.  The houses are decorated and they also have fireworks and presents.  Everybody dresses up in beautiful traditional clothes.

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Hanukkah

This is a Jewish festival of lights.  They eat food like pancakes and donuts. The festival is 8 days long and every night a candle is lit and placed in a special candle holder called the menorah.  They spend this festival with their families and will give presents.  

                           

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Eid al-Fitr

This is celebrated by  Muslims and marks the end of Ramadan (the Islamic holiday of fasting). Eid means happiness and this festival teaches you to love and laugh.  They eat traditional food and wear beautiful new clothes.

                       

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These are all wonderful festivals celebrated by different cultures and religions.  

• You are now going to do some extra research on one (or more)  of the religions and festivals.  
• Choose one that is different from your own culture. (you can even choose a festival or culture that is not mentioned here.)

We need to learn more about other cultures and have respect  for each other and understand that we are different from one another and have different cultures and religions.

Find out the following in your research

• When is the festival celebrated?
• Why is it celebrated?
• What traditional foods do they cook and eat?
• Do they wear special clothes?
• Why do you think you would like to join in this celebration?
• Find some pictures on the culture/festival you decided to research

Watch the video on different holidays around the world (you can even use some of these in you research)

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REMEMBER - no matter what your religion and culture is, we are all special.