Who says, Christmas and New Year are the only
holidays observed this season?
There
are many festivals celebrated widely around the world this December. And Second
Life isn’t behind in celebrating them. The following are the list of festivals:
- · Christmas
- · New Year’s Eve
- · Burning the Devil
- · Hogmanay Festival
- · Hot Air Balloon Festival
- · Junkanoo Festival
- · Winterfest Boat Parade
- · Whirling Dervishes Festival
- · Sunburn Festival Goa
- · Hannukah
- · Kwanzaa
- · Klausjagen
- · L’escalade
- · Reveillon
And
many others.
. Well, now that we know a few, I would
mention only those few in detail, which have also found its place in Second
Life.
Christmas
It is one of the most popular Christian
celebrations in the Western Church as well as in Second Life. This holiday commemorates
the birth of Jesus on December 25th. For observers, it is the season
of gift giving and sharing a feast with family and friends. Traditions include
putting up a Christmas tree, decorating with lights, garland, wreaths and wearing ugly Christmas sweaters.
There
are even classic Christmas Carols and stories shared including the iconic Santa
Clause who comes to town giving all the good children gifts while leaving lumps
of coal for the naughty.
Be sure to check the SL search for Christmas
parties and events happening now until Christmas day. There are too many to
name here!
New
Year’s Eve
New
Year celebrations begin on December 31st as people around the
prepare for a new year as it begins in each time zone. In New York City, the
traditional ball is dropped in Times Square witnessed by thousands in the
street as well on television. Many have
New Year resolutions to break bad habits from the year prior or to begin a new
phase in their lives with the ones they love. At the stroke of midnight, you
will normally see parties happening, tons of confetti and music playing as well
as many dropping to one knee to ask for their lover’s hand in marriage. This
celebration marks a new beginning for all as the New Year begins.
In Second Life, festivities and events will
happen all day as the clock strikes midnight across the time zones. If you are
observing New Years in Second Life, don’t do it alone. Find a party and ring in
2015 with new and old friends. Looking to do a ball drop at your locations. I
find a place where you can buy one along with a firework display!
DeCuir Creations Fireworks
Kwanzaa
It is a
week-long celebration held in the United States and also celebrated in the
Western African Diaspora in other nations of the Americas. The celebration honors
African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26
to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda
ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest". It
celebrates the principles, each day dedicated to one principle.
1. Umoja or Unity is celebrated on the first day to strive for
and maintain the unity in the family, community, nation and race.
2. Kujichagulia or Self Determination is celebrated on the
second day to define, name, create for and speak for ourselves.
3. Ujima or Collective
work and Responsibility is celebrated on the third day to build our community
together; make our brother’ and sister’ problems our problems and to solve them
together.
4. Ujamaa or Cooperative Economics is celebrated on the fourth
day to build and main our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit
from them together
5. Nia or Purpose is celebrated on the fifth to make our
collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to
restore our people to their traditional greatness.
6. Kuumba or Creativity on the sixth to do as always as much as
we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and
beneficial than we inherited
7. Imani or Faith on the seventh day to believe with all our
hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, the righteousness
and victory of our struggle.
In Second Life:
A party at the Gallery, on Friday, December 26th, 2014. Dj Voodoo
and Dj Pike would be playing. This is a 4 hour event sponsored by Love Cats.
Theme of the event is to wear best African inspired Outfit. The board would be
set at L$ 300 plus a L$ 500 gift card for the winner and a L$ 150 gift card for
everyone who stops by.
Hannukah
It is also known as
Chanukah, the festival of lights is a Jewish holiday. It celebrates and
commemorates events that took place over 2300 years ago in the land of Judea,
Israel. Antiochus, the Syrian king commanded Jews to worship the Greek Gods,
prohibiting them from the practise of their own religious beliefs. One man,
Judah Maccabee defied the imperial dictator. He fought against the king along
with his brothers for 3 years. The Syrians were driven out of Judea and the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem reclaimed. The temple was cleaned and lit. It was
dedicated to the N’er Tamid. There was barely enough oil to last a day, however,
as if a miracle, the light burnt for 8 days. Since then, Hannukah is
commemorated in triumph of faith by lighting candles in the menorah, one candle
for each night, the centre one to begin with. It begins on 25th day
of Hebrew month of Kislev.
In Second Life: The Grim's Domain
Family Realm is presenting an off season Hanukkah special event for Relay for
Life at the Chapel of Yeshua. They will be having 8 days of live music, DJ's
and open mic for your entertainment to raise funds for Relay For Life. The singers
are Emma Maria Bellisim, Gem Sunkiller, Hitomi Rosewood James and others.
Photograph Credits: Group picture
In Second Life: Olde Lapara Town celebrating Hannukah and
Winterfest.
In Second Life: On 19th
December, 2014 Dj Cherridwyn would play Christmas tunes, Blues, Hannukah and
Yule tunes at Wharf Rat Blues
References:
No matter how you celebrate the holiday
season, share it with family and friends while spreading love and peace.
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