DECEMBER 2013
World Languages and Cultures T H E
T R A D I T I O N
E D I T I O N
The Power of
TRADITIONS Special Holiday Issue
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Calendar
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Upcoming Movies
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AFRICA
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PERU
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FINLAND
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A Christmas 7 Challenge: CAN YOU SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS? DO YOU BELIEVE? A Santa Special
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Treasure Your Traditions
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The power of tradition is never more apparent than at this time of year when the winter holidays become the main focus. And while many traditions are steeped in spiritual beliefs, it seems even more come from the rituals established within our own families… Regardless of their origins, the significance of our traditions are powerful. They give us a sense of belonging, a sense of prediction, a sense of order like no other. Think about it…was there a time in your
family when a tradition changed? Remember the reaction? Or maybe you can recall a time you went to another family’s holiday gathering whose traditions were different? You may have stared in polite disbelief and thought to yourself, “You do what? When? How?...Why?” While we can rarely answer the why, we know its importance. Traditions are the framework, the structure that creates our memories… the stories of our lives.
An excerpt from “The Power of Tradition” by Heather found at http://www.boomerangproject.com/blog/power-tradition
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December 2013 Sun
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Last Day of Class
Study Day
Final Exams
Final Exams
Final Exams
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Final Exams
Final Exams
Residence Halls Close
Graduating Senior Grades Due 12 Noon
All Grades Due 12 Noon
Commence ment 10 AM & 2:30 PM
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Christmas Day
Christmas Break
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Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ~Helen Keller
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Interested in Special Topics courses in the Spring?
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Spanish: The Spanish Civil War CRN 13449, SPAN 3503 This course will explore the Spanish Civil War, its history and representations, by considering a wide range of cultural material produced during the War and in recent years. We will examine historical materials,
such as propaganda posters, letters of volunteers fighting in the War, photographs and newsreels. Additionally, we will analyze fiction, films and works of art that have been inspired by the Civil War, with a special emphasis in contemporary renditions of
the conflict. Pre-req.: Intermediate II. V. Moreno – TR 89:15am
Spanish: Latin American Literature CRN 13452, SPAN 4530 In this course we will study three short novels: Two by García Márquez: Crónica de una Muerte Anunciada and Noticia de un Secuestro, and one
by Fernando Vallejo –La Virgen de los Sicarios. These three novels share an interesting cultural background, are structurally similar in their style, and they deal with current events. Pre-req.:
SPAN 3413, Intro to Hispanic Literature. E. Lombeida – TR 23:15pm
Spanish: Literature and Culture of the Mexican Revolution CRN 13453, SPAN 4503 In this class, students will attempt to answer a number of questions concerning the complementary and often contradictory relationship which exists between important historical events, literature, and culture, as they explore a variety of historical,
literary, and artistic interpretations of the Mexican Revolution: What is the relationship between literature and history? Can we define this relationship? How? Where does “culture” fit into this relationship? How does a notable historical event, such as the Mexican Revolution, or the discourse it inspires affect
a nation’s culture? Is national culture, or the culture of the Mexican Revolution simply another product or discourse? Or, does “culture” define or give meaning to history? Although ultimately these questions may be unanswerable, students will use them to critically engage with
the diverse body of literature, which both defines and is defined by the Mexican Revolution. Pre-req.: SPAN 3413, Intro to Hispanic Literature. A. McGee– TR
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Christmas Eve in Africa may be surprising if you have never been there The night of the 24th, we all meet together as a family and we do a barbecue with greasy meat. After that, the parents group together and make jokes or discuss something that is important for them. For us that are younger, we go out with our friends and when Midnight approaches, we regroup all at a place while preparing our firecracker. When the bell rings midnight, we launch firecrackers and fireworks. The next day, the 25th, it is a tradition for everyone to go to church. After that, we go to the beach! I know it looks strange but it's true. It is very hot in Africa this time so the only way to relax and take a little bit of fresh air is to go to the beach. Later on in the evening, instead of taking a hot chocolate before going to bed, we all get a vanilla ice cream and chocolate chips. Le réveillon de noël en Afrique peut-être surprenant si l’on n’a jamais été là-bas. Le soir du 24, nous nous regroupons tous en famille et nous faisons un barbecue avec des viandes bien grasses. Apres cela, les parents se retrouvent entre eux et se mettent à raconter des blagues ou discuter d’une chose qui leur est importante. Quant à nous les plus jeunes, nous sortons avec nos amis et lorsque le temps approche Minuit nous nous regroupons tous a un endroit tout en préparant nos pétards, lorsque la cloche sonne Minuit, nous lançons des pétards et des feux d’artifices. Le lendemain, le 25, c’est une tradition pour tout le monde d’aller à l’église. Apres quoi, nous allons à la plage! Je sais que ça a l’air étrange mais c’est vrai. Il fait très chaud en Afrique a cette période donc le seul moyen de se détendre et de prendre un peu d’air frai est d’aller à la plage. Une peu plus tard le soir, au lieu de prendre un bon chocolat chaud avant d’aller nous coucher, nous avons tous droit à une glace à la vanille et aux pépites de chocolat. Anonymous Contributor
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The Peruvian Christmas Dinner Traditionally the Christmas feast is celebrated on midnight of December 25th: Noche Buena (Good Night). Elders like to attend the "misa de gallo" (rooster mass) at 10 pm, while the youngsters choose to remain at home for the feast. Once midnight comes, families make a toast (typically with champagne) in honor of the birth of Jesus. Then the feast begins. The most popular entrée of the evening is the Super-Sized Peruvian tamale: a boiled-cooked corn meal dough, wrapped in banana leaves. The dough normally is filled with chicken or pork, along with large black olives, pieces of Peruvian chili pepper and boiled eggs. Other delicious good eaten for Peruvian Christmas dinner is the Italian Panettone: a type a sweet bread originally from Milan.
La cena de Navidad peruana: Tradicionalmente, la cena de Navidad se celebra en la medianoche del 25 de diciembre: Noche Buena. A los ancianos les gusta asistir a la "misa de gallo"a las 10 pm, mientras que los jóvenes optan por quedarse en casa para la cena. Una vez que llega la medianoche, las familias hacen un brindis (normalmente con champán) en honor del nacimiento de Jesús. Entonces empieza la fiesta. El plato más popular de la noche es el gran tamal peruano (tamalazo): una deliciosa masa de harina de maíz, envuelta en hojas de plátano y cocinada en agua hirviendo. La masa normalmente se rellena con pollo o cerdo, grandes aceitunas negras, trozos de ají peruano y huevos duros. Otro delicioso producto que se come durante la cena de Navidad peruana es el panetón italiano: un tipo de pan dulce originario de Milán. By Dr. Ernesto Lombeida
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Christmas in Finland
Hyvaa Joulua
Christmas is a universally-known celebration which brings mental images to just about everyone’s mind when mentioned. The mental pictures that come depend on where they are in the world. People in Australia might think of warm sunny days and mince pie; those who live in Uruguay may think of “Papa Noel” and fireworks. But for people in Finland, snowy freezing cold winters and the Mountain of Korvatunturi, where Santa lives, fill the mind’s eye. The Christmas traditions in Finland are centered around the home; so while the cold winter wind blows outside, the warmth of the home and family is lit within. Further adding to the Christmas feel are the great number of reindeer that live in the Lapland of Finland. Santa lives nearby on the Mountain of Korvatunturi in the town of Savukoski. People start getting ready for Christmas weeks beforehand—baking cookies, putting up decorations and preparing homes for visitors. Usually on Christmas Eve morning the finish people eat rice pudding, a thick and creamy dish that is served with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Often after breakfast, the Christmas tree is bought and brought home to be decorated. In the city of Turku, people gather just before noon to hear the Declaration for Christmas Peace read. This Finnish Christmas tradition is so famous that it is broadcast over all the air waves and television. The ceremony ends with a flourish as the trumpets play the National Anthem. After this ceremony, people eat lunch then enjoy a sauna bath followed by a huge feast for dinner. The popular holiday drink is called glogg, a wine heated with sugar and spices and often citrus fruit. Around five or six o’clock, families go to leave candles on the graves of their loved ones. Once home, they hear a knocking at the door and open it to see Santa standing there with presents for all. The children love to sing Joulupukki Laula or Peteir Punakuono (Rudolph) to him before he leaves to visit the rest of the world. Then Christmas day is celebrated at home. By Victoria Childress
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Can YOU say “Merry Christmas”? How many expressions can you match with the correct country? (Answers below, but NO peeking! Santa is watching!) 1. Shub Naya Baras
A. Afrikaans
2. Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
B. Brazilians
3. Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
C. Chinese (Mandarin)
4. Merry Keshmish
D. Columbia
5. Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
E. Finnish
6. La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
G. German
7. Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
I. Hawaiian
F. French H. Greek J. Hindi
8. Kala Christouyenna! 9. Joyeux Noel 10. Hyvaa joulua 11. Gesëende Kersfees 12. Froehliche Weihnachten 13. Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
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K. Italian L. Latin M Navajo N. Russian O. Samoan
14. Buone Feste Natalizie 15. Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo
Answers: 1-J, 2-N, 3-L, 4-M, 5-I, 6-O, 7-C, 8-H, 9-F, 10-E, 11-A, 12-G, 13-D, 14-K, 15-B Information gathered from http://www.worldofchristmas.net/merry-christmas.html
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By Leslie Ginn
SAINT NICHOLAS Saint Nicholas of Myra was a 4th century bishop in Lycia (now in Turkey). He was wellknown for his generous gifts to the poor. One story is told of Saint Nicholas giving dowries to three daughters of a pious Christian so they could be married rather than becoming prostitutes. He is also the beginning of the Santa Clause legend. GERMANIC PAGANISM The Old Norse god called Odin has a role in the development of Santa as well. Prior to Christianization, the Germanic peoples celebrated Yule as a midwinter festivity. Supernatural, often ghostly, events occurred during this time, such as the Wild Hunt when a ghostly procession crossed the sky with Odin at the lead. Odin’s old Norse names, both Jólnir ( meaning “yulefigure”) and Langbarðr (meaning “long-beard”)
puts him solidly in the Santa myth. It is said that the appearance of the modern-day Santa was based on Odin’s beard and likeness. Odin’s mighty eight-legged gray steed also plays a role in the developing legend where Odin travelled across the night sky and delivered presents. Over time Odin transformed into Father Christmas who later becoming Santa Claus.
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EDITION
DUTCH FOLKLORE “Sinterklass” or the Good Saint , wears a long red cape over traditional bishops clothing and carries a shepherd’s staff. He carries with him a book that has his notes on all the children, whether they have been “naughty or nice” during the year and presents were distributed while he rode a white-gray horse. This celebration was on December 5 and called “pakjesavond” or “gifts evening.” During the Reformation in the 16-17 century, this date changed to Christmas Eve and the gift-giver became the Christ Child. SCANDINAVIAN INFLUENCE In the 1840’s in Nordic folklore “Nisse” or “Tomte” began to deliver gifts in Denmark. He was pictured as a short and bearded man dressed in gray clothing and red hat. This new tradition spread during the 19th century to Norway , Sweden and Finland replacing the “Yule Goat”, but sometimes retaining parts of the goat legend. Father Christmas’ folk tales has him riding on a goat.
Information from http://en.wikipedia.org
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FATHER CHRISTMAS Father Christmas dates to the 16th century in Great Britain. He was a large man in green or scarlet robes line with fur. He was the epitome of Christmas cheer who brought joy, peace and revelry with him. Once the feast day of Saint Nicholas was moved from December 6th to December 25th, the Victorian revival included Father Christmas as the emblem of good cheer. THE GRINCH Dr. Seuss’ beloved character about the small hearted Grinch began in his 1957 children’s book. The term “Grinchy” still signifies someone with a bad attitude toward Christmas. Thank goodness, the Grinch’s heart grew so big that he ended up saving Christmas for all the Whovillians when he came to understand the true meaning of Christmas. SO, WHAT ABOUT YOU… DO YOU BELIEVE? IN SANTA?
tra·di·tion
noun \trə-ˈdi-shən\
1. a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time :2. the stories, beliefs, etc., that have been part of the culture of a group of people for a long time3. ~ cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions ~ the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction