HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-12-23, Page 17Second section
N o matter where you're
from, this is a very
special time of year
Christmas brings joy around the globe each and every year. Our country
of Canada has since become a unique multi -cultural nation, where many
traditions comprise what we believe to be a truly Canadian Christmas.
Here is a look at the festive season in four different countries from the
perspective of some local families, along with the traditions
that make them unique.
me McCrae family left, celebrate Christmas with a unique blend of Canadi-
an,, Scottish and Irish customs. Shown here are: fan McCrae (left), Alina,
age 7, Cameron, age 9 and Mary.
Less lavish celebrations in ireland and Scotland
EXETER --The lands of Ireland and
Scotland both enjoy very similar Christ-
mas celebrations, although neither resem-
ble the lavish festivities of North America.
In fact, for Scotland, thesnain celebrations
and family reunions sake place during New
Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
"At Christmastime, if sons and daugh-
ters couldn't be home they wouldn't be
very upset," said Ian McCue, a native of
Scotland who is now director of physio-
therapy at Exeter's South Huron Hospital.
"But if they didn't make it home for New
Yeats, it would be a big deal."
McCrae and his wife Mary came to Can-
ada in 1982, just after they were married.
McC4aehails from Fort William in north-
west Scotland, which lies in the shadow of
the country's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
Mary was raised in Southern Ireland, not
far from the Duke of Devonshire's country
home in Canty Waterford, where they
make Waterford crystal.
-.Aesardiogao McCrae;us:Saathind-they
still have an terwi,ange of gifts,.tpeitey and
Santa Claus, but they really don't get
hyped up until New Year's. It is then that
they take part in a celebration that can last
up to time days.
r
J
In Scotland, the first and second of Janu-
ary are both statutory holidays. `Every-
thing, including the pubs, is closed. Dur-
ing that time, there would-be many house
parties, with people travelling from house
to house wishing others a good new year.
"It's non-stop and it's good luck to have
someone come to your house," confirmed
McCrae. "You have to be a fust -footer."
First-footer is the label given to those
who happen to be the first to set foot an
your door immediately after the new year.
"It's very good to have someone tall and
dark enter, rather than someone.fair-
haired, because it is considered good
luck," explained McCrae.
Homes are then filled with music. There
is singing. dancing and -the -playing of in-
struments such as the fiddle, accordion and
of course, the bagpipes. But all of it is
very impromptu, very informal and not
structured.
'McCrae himself was _taught Dailey the
bagpipes byesad: butd'ell' ' e with
tho soWut*bile a young boy.�g dfa-
ther, who raised sheepcdogs,'was an avid
piper.
McCrae plays the pipes on occasion with
both.the Exeter and Clinton Legion
NOTE:
branches. He also spends a lot of time
travelling to nearby schools helping to
teach children about his Scottish heritage,
although his family no longer practices tra-
ditions such as first-footing.
"That was something we quit doing
when we came to Canada," he said. "But
as a family we always try to see the New
Year in together."
The Scottish celebration of the New
Year comes from pre -Christian times,
when they worshipped the sun. 1t began as
a Celtic celebration, because members of
the Celtic society were very dedicated to
the movement of the sun and stars. The
screw year meant the return of longer days
and more sunlight.
In comparison, the Irish celebrate New
Year's much like Canadians do, although
Boxing Day is different. It is exclusively
an Irish custom to celebrate the Feeding of
the Wren, on St. Stephen's Day.
In older times, a wren was killed and
carried from.door W.dgor by young boys
tcrhown ii9.a�neys. whaaarag songs and
expected money in return.
According to Mary, it is a custom still
practiced today, but usually only in small
villages and in a slightly different manner
"Nowadays it more resembles Hal-
lowe'en in Canada," said Mary. "Boys
dress up in costume and then go around
singing the song of the wren bird while
they collect treats."
One custom they do practice for Christ-
mas, is the lighting of the Christmas can-
dle. It is still Irish custom for the youngest
in the family to light a candle Christmas
Eve and place it in the window to bum
through the holiday season. Originally, it
served as an invitation extended to travel-
lers looking for a place to rest.
On the subject of lights, Mary also point-
ed out that neither citizens of Scotland nor
Ireland go to such effort to decorate their
homes with lights, like they do in Canada.
"We were really amazed at that," said
Mary. "1t looks so beautiful."
She explained that in their homeland,
only the village square would be lit and
maybe a few shops, while the equivalent
of the PUC might put decorations on the
street posts.
"Wel nada. `COn -'Mary.
"For quality,of life, Canada's she best place
to bring up kids."
Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
For anyone.interested in learning more about Scottish and Irish heritage, a Scots -Irish night featuring Celtic traditions
and lots of music will be held February 20 at the Masonic Hall.
Spanish stndent celebrates
Cbristmas in Exeti.r
EXETER - Sergio Camara is about to partake in a
;unique cultural experience. The 17 -year-old grade 12
student is part of a cultural exchange and will be
spending his first Chrisunas away from both home
and country.
Climate is from the city of Madrid in.Spain, so not
only has he bad to endure a change of countries, but
also a transition from urban to a moral rural lifestyle.
Currently he is enjoying a 1O -month stay with Dennis
'and Carole Hockey of Exeter, while attending classes
at South Huron District High School.
"I miss home right now," said Camara. "But
Christmas here will be fun and everyone is very
nice."
In Camara's native land, Cltrisunas is rigidly ob-
served by the church. On Christmas Eve bells call
everyone to midnight mass, afiorwhich Cattaara's tam -
ushers at either his grandmother's ,homer ,the
home of bis parents, as they alternate each year.
Celebrations begin with a large meal; feaWring
most often lamb as -well as a spectacular way of sea-
food dishes. Camara, unfortunately, is not fond of
fish.
"No I don't.Iike it," he confided. "But 1 havetoiaat
it oace a yoar."
CCnaara n imeh>p eters tot at:ntartippn, or attPecially
Miran, a nnixtwe of ehecalateettlmonds, ximatel and
egg yolk:which is aimilatia,aouget.
1t aan,be a*1. both, bard or soft,
.littt.iaaiwsys,eery, very sweet
410dris,g111yihehil(aeWre4 in
Spainloriht►e Ntaesaaason.
• "L,itswe a box,aow,innihc
VbpMiama auhc
kieltiy'srdent,to me
by a friend," he smiled.
The catch is the friend has forbidden Cwnara to
open it before Christmas Eve.
Following the Christmas Eve dinner, Santa Claus
arrives with presents, although not every Spanish
household recognizes the jolly elf. Instead, Spanish
youngsters await the arrival of Los Reyes Magos, or
Three Wise Men, who arrive bearing gifts during the
night of the sixth of January, -the twelfth and final
day of the festive season, Epiphany.
In some inslahwes, instead of stockings, children
place shoes so the Wise Men know where to leave
gifts. Childten.also leave barley for the tired camels.
During Epiphany, there are many parades and
presents are exchanged frau the more immediate
family.
According to Camara, one of the most beautiful
sights during tte.holiday season in Spain is that of
thousands of Nativity scenes.tihroughout the land.
Each church and.hielarly every hoahc construct the
Naeimiento, with distinct detail but it doesn't end
• there.
Each figure is intentionally placed in a certain spun
and moved as lie season progresses; thus, the Nativi-
ty is acted out it is a very important pant of the fes-
tivities and churches can be found to compete for the
best scene.
New Year's in Spain is celebrated much like it is in
Canada, with the visiting of friends, although there is
one unique tradition. According to Ciunara, at mid-
night everyone inust hold 12 grapes in their band for
the ringing of the bells. 'twelve bells are then rung
quickly in succession and at the sounding of each
bell, a grape must be swallowed.
"It is vtry hard but you must Uy to keel) h,t, with
the bells," laughed Uniara. "Dependieg upon haw
many you get, that's how many months of good flick
you will have."
To help Camara ever the holiday, studeni.s
Dianne lietherington's Spanish class we treating hail
to various activities. One which proves to be a neA+
experience will be skating. While he sums anxious
-to strap on the blades, a stick and puck probably,
:,aren't in his immediate future. Friends Wok hint tip
.his first-ever hockey game recently to watch South
--Theonplay against F.F.. Madill, which delinitety lei t
a lasting impression.
"1 hey really hit each other hard."
Fehr Navidad
Doctor recalls Ukranian
Christmas traditions
EXETER - Over the centuries, most cultures have come to
adopt theRoman calendaxas.their .Mended. When it conies.to
the celebtmtiun of a Ukrainian Chtistnutts, however. tradition
leads baekio the old Julian calendar, which runs about 13 days
out of phatlevith the Gregorian calendar which we follow today.
"For Ottligtapp, the Ukrainians actually celebrate Christmas on
Jsuuary 7; :ttaltd Dr. <Williwn.Steciuk of Exeter, who is of Ukrai-
nian.ancesUy. "As far as the actuth! giving of gifts is concerned,'
that is celebrated at the Feast of. St. Nicholas. around December
7.
it
Ac cording to Steciuk, a traditional Ukrainian Christmas begins
Christmas Eve with a huge 12-couwe dinner. leach course is pre-
sented in aaeanory ofeach .afthe 12 apostles, and all of;thern
must be prepared without meet. Usually fish takes its place.
A type of soup is prepared, possibly also of fish although
;sixxsch or beet soup is very popular. Lr addition, the ureal niost
;-likely will include cabbage, stuffed with millet or rice along .with
dried fruit.
Kutya then niakes.a very special Christmas Evc.tte„at. The deli-
cacy is prepared from.whok.Zt;grams soaked:tor many
hourse and seasoned with hobeyenixed with crushed poppy
seeds.
"But nothing begins until the Star is found," replied Steciuk.
In accordance with Ukrainian tradition, the youngest child in
the fiunily waits by the window for the appearance of the heav-
ens' fust star. The star is meant to symbolize the star of tJethlc-
hem.
Once the youngest has fowid what he or she is looking for, the
fuslivities wmuneirce with the uncal, followed by Cluisunas uu-
cling as well as the attendance of CMisuuas Eve serhvices.
„10 some very traditional horses, straw is even laved beneath
the tablecloth to signify the manger," confirmed Steciuk. "And
Opt' chair and seitieg is always left for the Chrisichild."
Stcx;iuk said that his family do n't practice many traditions
her', but they do when at his parents' horse in Toronto. It is
there where Ukrainian thatrehes tend to still follow the old calen-
dar, although many hate begun toadopt the Roman calendar for
siniplicity.
In addition, bevause an entire generation of Ukraine cthildren
have now ix ii teen in Crunidan, they have adupted this coun-
uy's tcuduons as their own.
"Nowadays, our ac:twi1 Christmas Day is inucti tike everyone
else's."
Srvandcstvum Kristovym
iiiy Kay Lewis 1