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The Linden Ledger |
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Vol. 04/05 Issue 5 Jan. 24, 2005 |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
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Believe it or not, another year has passed! After celebrating Christmas, the Korean and Mexican students put more focus on their traditional celebrations. The Korean students celebrate the Lunar New Year, and Mexican students celebrate the Three Kings' Day. In Korea, many celebrate the new year according to the lunar calendar. Usually, the new year comes at the beginning of February. Just as Americans eat turkeys during Thanksgiving, Koreans usually eat rice cake soup on the New Year. Koreans have two birthdays. All the people become one year older, no matter when they were born. Some little kids always want more rice cake soup because they think the more they eat, the older they will get. Also, all the families have a traditional ceremony to cherish the memory of their ancestors with all the family members bowing to show respect. There is a special order in which to set the table; for example, rice is always to the left of the soup. The New Year is usually the children's favorite holiday because it is always the best time to save some allowance. As long as they bow to their families, they will receive money and put it in their special “lucky” bags. In Mexico, Dia De Los Reyes Magos, the Three Kings' Day, marks the climax of the holiday season. January 7 is a very important day to all the Mexicans. According to the biblical story, three wise men were bearing gifts for baby Jesus, following a star to his manger. Chil |
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dren receive the most gifts on this day. In the morning, the first thing children do after waking up is to go to the Christmas tree and find their boots bags. In the bags, there are candies, gifts, and money from their parents; supposedly, the gifts are from the Three Kings. At lunch, families get together and have a party. They will make a very thin, large fruit cake with a little plastic boy or a ring in it. Whoever eats the part of the cake with the little boy or ring has to sponsor a party on February 2 for the families. It has been a tradition for years. At night, all the families go to church together and have a special mass for the holiday. If that day happens to be a school day, all schools have shortened periods. On February 2, casual parties are held, and one of the traditional dishes people eat is hot tamales with meat inside. All the children wait for this holiday |
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every year. Linden Hall is made up of different cultures which allow the students to understand and appreciate a variety of customs. It is quite an experience to listen to the girls describing their traditional celebrations! |
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Qing Li, ‘06 |
