It’s not just about Santa Claus and elves, there are many unique traditions that people around the globe follow...
Did you know that everybody doesn’t celebrate Christmas on December 25? Right from heading out to KFC for a meal to firing gun shots to keep the witches away, there are many traditions that are followed in various corners. The one thing common is that it brings good cheer and a warm feeling of festivity with it, no matter which part of the world you are in. Read on to know how this festival is celebrated around the world.
Christmas on January 7
In Russia and Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and not December 25. This is because the Orthodox Church uses the ‘Julian’ calendar for religious celebrations. In the traditional Christmas celebration in Russia, special prayers are said and people fast sometimes for 39 days until January 6. When the first evening star appears in the sky, they break their fast. They have a 12-course meal in honour of the 12 apostles.
Oh sh*t!
A Christmas tradition in parts of Spain, Portugal and Italy is to set up a model village of Bethlehem. Along with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, a Caganer or ‘sh**ter’ is placed at the scene. The Cagner is a figurine traditionally of a man in the act of defecating with his pants around his knees and a pile of feces at his heels.
Love match
In the Czech Republic, single women perform a very unusual ritual on Christmas Eve Day to find out if they will marry the following year. With their backs to the house door, they throw one of their shoes over their shoulder. If the shoe lands with the heel towards the door, she will definitely stay single for another year, while if the front of the shoe points towards the door, it means she will be moving out of her parents house soon and should start the wedding preparations.
Roller skate on the road
In Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on the morning of Christmas Eve, many roads are closed for cars so that people can roller skate to Mass.
Watch out for that witch
According to Norwegian ancient belief, witches and evil spirits would emerge on Christmas Eve to steal brooms to ride the skies. Thus, on Christmas Eve, all the brooms and cleaning objects would be hidden, and men would fire shotguns outside their houses to frighten these witches away.
Sinterklass comes to town
The people of Netherlands, who celebrate the holiday on December 6 await the arrival of Sinterklass and his sidekick Black Pete, who come by a steamer to leave candy and nuts for good little boys and girls who have filled their shoes with hay and sugar for his horse.
Let’s head to KFC
In Japan, a traditional Christmas dinner is often Kentucky fried chicken. In fact, it is so popular, you might have to make reservations to eat at KFC on Christmas in the country.
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