Thursday, December 13, 2012

Other Special Holidays in December

Christmas is a special holiday to spend with friends and family. 

Christmas is a Christian holiday. Christians believe that the savior, Jesus Christ was born this day, in Jerusalem. They believe that his life and death on earth was a gift from God to the people, to save them from all that is bad in life and after death.

To celebrate Christ's arrival to earth, Christans celebrate Christmas on Decemer 25th, every year.

For Christians, Christmas is a time to spend with people you love, like your family and close friends. Some customs for Christmas are:
Big family dinner
Christmas cards
Christmas Tree
visiting a church for a special mass
singing songs




But December is a time for many holidays around the world. Two holidays celebrated in December by different groups of people are Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

Kwanzaa is a celebration for African-Americans. It celebrates their unique identity and culture and encourages them to follow 8 principles (or rules).


Let's watch a short video on Kwanzaa with an African-American family:

Hanukkah is called the "Celebration of Lights." It is celebrated sometime between November and December. It depends on the Jewish Calendar. 

Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates a miracle that happened in Jerusalem in 167BCE

Let's here it told by song, here:


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

DANCE!

Let's watch Tango.
Tango has routes in African and European cultures from the immigrants who come to Buenos Aries.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-taUfmQL4-w&feature=related

Samba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFi-3tIMkQ

Milonga
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E4mBoGX6Dw

What other countries have dance? Let's take a look!


Afghanistan (Pashtun people), one traditional dance is called the Attan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTtQ-srwYvA&feature=related


Brazil: There are many types of dance in Brazil but one of the famous types of dance is the Samba! Let's watch a pair of professional dancers at practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulcXYjb4eBU


China: Check out this traveler's video of a Lion Dance in Hong Kong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-asw9i10lw


Ireland: watch this little girl perform a traditional Celtic folk dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGsb199yN-k&feature=related

Now take a look at..
Scotland: Another country in the UK but their dance is different, this is called Highland dancing. Notice that the girls can lift their arms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjgAt9tTDL8&feature=related


India: In Northern India you can see Bhangra dance. One of the many different folk dances in India. Watch these two girls perform on stage, they seem to be telling a story...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qp0RG6ecDs&feature=related


Turkey: Watch as these performers dance the Halay for a Turkish TV show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AedyZxoQQxI

Spain: This beautiful dancer is performing the Flamenco.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxJMCQxb_Q

USA: This is a Native American dance performed for the purpose of healing, it is called the Jingle Dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZaF1EuDOK0

Mexico: Popular in Europe and in the Americas, Polka dancing can be found at many festivals. Watch this one in from Mexico.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Xx7ovGako&feature=related


Now that you have seen a few different types of dance, think about dance in Japan. What are some traditional dances?