Check Out these New Year Traditions from Different Nations
NEW YEAR TRADITIONS – Here are some of the most unique practices from different countries every New Year’s eve.
One of the national events that are widely-celebrated in grand gestures is the New Year. Most households across the globe really prepare to welcome the start of a new year and the celebrations and preparations may vary depending on certain factors like the practices in a certain country.
In the Philippines, many Filipino households prepare 12 round fruits in the belief that it boosts the chances of a prosperous year ahead since the shape of the fruits is similar to that of coins. However, do you know that there are a lot of other New Year traditions in other countries, too?
Most of the New Year traditions undeniably involve food. Here are some of the practices that are widely-observed in certain countries on the eve of New Year or January 1.
Banging bread against the walls
In Ireland, it is a New Year tradition of Irish people to bang bread against the walls in the belief that it can ward off bad spirits. Loaves of Christmas bread are bang against all the doors and walls of the entire house.
Listening to Big Ben’s bells and singing “Auld Lang Syne”
Auld Lang Syne is one of the most popular New Year songs across the globe but in England, it is like a New Year anthem of the British people. The people await the ringing of the bells of the Big Ben, a clocktower at the House of Parliament, as midnight strikes. After hearing the bell, the people join hands and sing “Auld Lang Syne”.
Hanging an onion outside the door
Also one of the New Year traditions is the hanging of an onion outside the door which is practiced in Greece. It is believed to symbolize growth and fertility.
Giving of homemade tamales
In Mexico, one of the New Year traditions is the giving away of homemade tamales, corn dough stuffed with cheese, meat, and veggies and wrapped in husks. They are made at home and handed out to the loved ones and they are often served with Menudo, a traditional Mexican soup made from the stomach of cow.
Eating soba noodles
In Japan, the Japanese people often begins a new year by eating soba noodles which is believed to be a way to break away from the passing year. This practice dates back to the Kamakura period.
