Holidays Around the World Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering various international holiday traditions and terms as described in the lecture notes.

Las Posadas

A 9-day Mexican celebration starting on December 16 and ending on December 24 that honors Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to have their baby in Bethlehem.

Posada

A Spanish word meaning "inn" or "shelter."

Tamales

A corn dough that can be filled with meats, cheeses, fruits, or vegetables and is usually served during Las Posadas.

Hanukkah

A Jewish holiday celebrated in December that lasts for 8 days and nights and is sometimes called the celebration of lights.

Menorah

A special kind of candle holder used for Hanukkah that has nine spots for candles.

Shamesh

Also known as the "attendant" candle, it is the extra spot on the menorah used to light the other candles.

Latkes

Tasty potato pancakes that many people enjoy during Hanukkah.

Dreidel game

A game where children spin a wooden top with Hebrew letters; depending on the side it lands on, players gain or lose money or chocolate money.

Diwali

An old Hindu celebration and the biggest festival in India that lasts for 5 days and signifies "the victory of light over darkness."

Puja

Prayers said by Hindus during the Diwali celebration.

Rangoli art

Patterns created on floors using brightly colored rice, sand, or flower petals, believed to bring good luck and serve as a welcoming area for Hindu gods.

Novena

The Christmas season in Italy that lasts for 3 weeks and starts 8 days before Christmas.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

An Italian feast held 24 hours before Christmas featuring a big meal with seven different seafood choices.

Epiphany

Observed on January 6 in Italy, this is the day children receive their gifts.

La Befana

A witchlike woman in Italian tradition who delivers toys to good children and charcoal to bad children on January 6.

Kwanzaa

A week-long celebration from December 26 to January 1 that honors African heritage and culture.

Kinara

A candle holder used as a symbol during the celebration of Kwanzaa.

Kaftans

Very colorful dresses with designs worn by women during Kwanzaa.

Maulana Karengo

The man who created Kwanzaa in 1966 so people could learn more about their heritage and culture.

Advent calendars

German calendars with little windows that children open to find small toys or chocolate each day until Christmas.

Gingerbread

A dough made with different spices that Germans use to make cookies or decorated houses with candy.

St. Nicholas Day

An event on December 6 in Germany where children leave clean shoes in front of their doors to be filled with nuts, fruit, and sweets.

La creche

The manger, which is the primary holiday decoration in France used to display Biblical figures.

Pere Noel

A tall, thin man in a long red robe trimmed with fur who delivers gifts to French children on Christmas Eve.

Pere Fouettard

The traveling companion of Pere Noel who reminds him how each child has behaved.

Le Reveillon

A huge feast eaten on Christmas Eve in France that can include goose, turkey, chicken, fish, cheese, bread, and fruit.

Buche de Noel

A sponge cake decorated to look like the log from a tree, often served by French families.