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Marcelle Bienvenu covered Cajun Christmases for Louisiana Cookin’ in the December issue. But people of many different religious and cultural backgrounds live in Louisiana and celebrate their traditions throughout the year.
RAMADAN
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the name refers to the fourth of the five Pillars (duties) of Islam. Muslims, those who follow the religion of Islam, celebrate the 30 days of Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk. Families rise early in the morning to have breakfast before dawn and do not eat again until sunset.
Since the Islamic calendar is based on the moon, the lunar year has 354 days, 10 to 12 days less than the solar year. Because of this, Ramadan’s date changes from year to year. In 2007, Ramadan began on Thursday, September 13, and continued until October 12. According to the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, and this year, that means the 12th of September.
Id al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting of Ramadan and is celebrated on the first day of the 10th month. When Ramadan draws to a close, young children can anticipate such gifts as new clothes, shoes, and simple toys and candy. Houses are cleaned and painted, and flowers and banners are used to decorate homes and mosques. Trays of sweets and candies are set out for guests who travel to visit families for this celebration.
PASSOVER
Traditionally, Passover is observed for a full eight days (in 2008, Passover begins after sunset April 19 and will continue until the 26th) during which time families and friends gather for joyful singing and good eating. It is also a time for ritual and careful observance of the celebration that marks the deliverance of the ancient Jews from bondage in Egypt. It is a time to be with family to repeat and reinforce the heritage that has been passed from father to son, mother to daughter, from century to century.
The Seder table is usually set with the family’s best china, flatware, and wine glasses, including a goblet for Elijah, who may visit any Jewish household during Passover. On the table is a plate of the foods that symbolize the Passover story.
At the ceremony before the dinner, the head of the household holds up each item and, with appropriate blessing or prayer, describes its significance. A roasted egg, the ancient symbol of life, and lamb bone represent ritual sacrifices; bitter herbs stand for the bitterness of slavery; haroseth, an apple and chopped nut combination, symbolizes the mortar made by the Hebrew slaves. Its sweetness reminds the Jewish people of the sweetness of freedom; parsley or another green speaks of the renewal of spring; salt water, in which the parsley is dipped, represents the Red Sea parting for the fleeing Jews and the tears of the slaves; and unleavened bread, usually a stack of wrapped matzo, echoes the condition of the bread the Hebrews took with them in their haste to leave Egypt.
KWANZAA
Kwanzaa, the African American holiday that focuses on family, community, and culture, lasts for seven days beginning December 26 and culminating January 1.
Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an activist and teacher, the celebration encourages African Americans to commit themselves to honoring their traditions and to celebrate their culture by following the Seven Principles—unity, self-determination, working together, sharing, purpose, creativity, and faith. On the last day of the celebration, families gather to share food from different parts of the African community—such dishes as sweet potato fritters, caramelized plantains, and beans and rice may be included.
DIWALI
Diwali (also called Deepavali) is a major Indian festival celebrated by Hindus. This Festival of Lights is named for of the hundreds of candles and tiny oil lamps (dipa) that are lit to celebrate the victory of good deeds over evil ones.
The festival’s date is moveable, as it is determined by the moon’s position. Although the festival is celebrated for five days, the most important is the third day (in 2006, the holiday was on October 21 but in 2007, it will begin November 9) that is the most important.
Many desserts and local sweets, such as barfi, laddoos, Cham chams, and jalebis , are made and served at the colorful celebrations throughout India.
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