October 31: Halloween

Halloween, Allhalloween, or All Hallows Eve are all acceptable names for this holiday. A Western, Christian precursor to All Saints Day, this holiday has transformed beyond a day of reverence for the dead and has moved toward a celebration of other aspects of life. It fits in with the original intent of Allhallowtide, which revolves around the theme of using humor and ridicule to confront the power of death, but has moved beyond that. Today, Halloween is characterized by dressing up, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, attending parties and haunted houses, and watching horror films or reading scary stories.

In many parts of the world, religious observance of All Hallow's Eve includes attending services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead. Many of the modern customs, like wearing costumes, may be attributed to past practices like "souling," in which criers dressed in black paraded the streets, ringing bells of mournful sounds and calling on people to remember lost souls. Superstition is also somewhat present on this day, and black cats and witches have become some of the symbols of Halloween festivities.   

October 29: Boun Ok Phansa

Boun Ok Phansa is the end of Buddhist Lent, in which Buddhist monks and priests retreat during the rainy season and reemerge on this day. Candles lit on Khaon Pansa, which is characterized by a candle festival and offering time to Buddhist monks, will have burned through the rainy season. These show a physical illumination of the temple and a mental illumination of the mind. After these 3 months, young priests and monks are free to return home to celebrations and merriment in the form of Boun Ok Phansa. Rice offerings are given to the monks when they return, and banana leaf floats are set along the Mekong River in celebration of their return.

A boat racing festival follows, and people line the river to watch and cheer on the boats. It is a time of music and dancing, celebrations with copious amounts of food.

October 23: Diwali

Diwali is the largest festival in India, as it is celebrated across faiths (Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs) and has been declared a national holiday. Known the world over as "the festival of lights," Diwali is not only celebrated in India, though India does provide the largest celebration. It originated as a harvest festival that marked the final harvest before winter. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshiped as people hope for financial success in the new year (Diwali marks the first day of the new financial year). Festivities include family gatherings, the lighting of clay lamps called diyas,

fireworks, electric light strings across houses and other buildings, bonfires, decorations of flowers, and the sharing of sweets, as well as the worship of Lakshmi. Some believe that the clay lamps usher Lakshmi into their homes as she roams the Earth, while others say the light is more symbolic of light triumphing over darkness. Dhanteras, the first night, is characterized by cleaning and decorating, as well as massive shopping.

It is followed by Naraka Chaturdasi, which includes more decorating and food preparation. Lakshmi Puja contains the most celebration, with new clothing dawned and dijays lit. Padwa is the fourth day, celebrating love between husband and wife, followed by Bhai Duj, which celebrates siblings.

October 20: Nanomonestotse

In the early 1900s, Marion Young, a Native American woman, began passing ideals of peace to her descendants. She is credited in part with the foundation of Nanomonestotse, a celebration both of the coming of autumn and of peace. The word "nanomonestotse" means peace in the Cheyanne language, and the preparation takes place on the third Monday in October. The holiday is celebrated with the construction of miniature Native American villages by children, and introspection and reflection from adults. A celebration meal is served on the Friday following these preparations, and the message of the event is to say:

"Peace in our world

Peace in our village

Peace in our home

Peace in our hearts"

 

October 18: Sweetest Day

Welcome to the USA, where corporations can create holidays. That may sound cynical, but this story has sweet and humble beginnings. Sweetest Day comes to us from the Midwest, specifically from Cleveland, Ohio. The tradition started in 1921when 12 of the top candy and confectionary companies gave out 20,000 boxes of free candy to "newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor" in a show of goodwill and affection. The two staple cities for the production of this holiday were Cleveland and Detroit, with Sanders Candy Company in Detroit
campaigning to nationalize the holiday. It is more regional than national, but does have a large following. Today, it is viewed to some degree as a second Valentines day, serving as a time for loved ones to send one another candies, cards, and gifts. It is criticized for it's commercialization overall, but people enjoy showing affection to one another, and ultimately it's a day of love and care for people.

October 14: Double Ninth Festival

This holiday, celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar, is marked by festivities in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean communities. The tradition is derived from China originally, and is based on a story of a devil that lived in the Nu River,

causing disease amongst the neighboring people. Hengjing, who's parent died at the hands of the devil, went through great tasks to defeat the devil. He was told that by using the power of dogwood and chrysanthemums, he would be aided in destroying the devil and disease. Hengjing and villagers who bore these goods climbed the nearest mountain to wait for the spirit. When the devil did emerge, the chrysanthemums and dogwood distracted him, and Hengjing was able to defeat him. Today, festivities revolve around the consumption of chrysanthemum wine, carrying of driftwood, and the climbing of mountains to celebrate. Chongyang cake, a multi-layered cake with nuts and jujubes, is also enjoyed. Chrysanthemums bloom throughout, and it is a holiday with much joy.

October 12: Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity

Instead of celebrating the harbinger of disease and death to Americas, Argentina has taken a different route in celebrating what was formerly known as "Columbus Day." Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity has taken it's place, and it has been met with great celebrations and pledges of diversity and education. While appreciating Columbus

for pioneering exploration and interconnection through the "Columbian Exchange," this day has taken on a greater appreciation for the peoples that now inhabit Argentina as well as a celebration of the resistance against the arrival of Europeans in the Americans and an emphasis on the native races and cultures.The government of Argentina holds parades, marches, meetings, and cultural events for the education and edification of the public. They hope to encourage education on traditions and holidays. Costumes are worn, displaying the heritage of people throughout Argentina, and showing a celebration of culture that has come out of history.

October 8: Sukkot

This holiday is celebrated by practicing Jewish individuals worldwide, and lasts for seven or eight days, depending on the region. Sukkot has roots historically as well as agriculturally. It marks the 40-year period during which the Israelites were wandering the desert, living in shelters that were temporary. Today, the holiday is celebrated a a full festival with prayer services and meals. The seventh day of Sukkot is called Hoshana Rabbah and has a special observance of it's own outside of the greater holiday. On Hoshana Rabbah, seven circuits are taken around the synagogue once daily, opposed to the regular four (etrog, lulav, hadass, and aravah). Etrog is represented as a fruit of a citrus tree, lulav is a closed, green frond of a date tree, hadass contains the leaves of a myrtle tree, and aravah has branches from a willow tree. These four species are carried around the synagogue once daily during Sukkot. Sukkot structures themselves may be adorned with fruits and garnishes, and represent the temporary structures of the old periods.

October 4: Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is a holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, and is also called "the Feast of the sacrifice." It honors Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, to reveal his devotion to God's commands. Satisfied with his devotion, God intervened to sacrifice a lamb in the place of Ishmael. The lamb was then divided into thirds: one third to the family; one third to relatives, friends and neighbors; and one third to the poor and needy. Today, the holiday is celebrated by the gathering of friends and family, gift giving, the wearing of new clothing, prayer, and lots of food.

 Eid al-Adha begins with a Sunnah prayer, which contains two rakats followed by a sermon. Celebrations start after the descent of the Hujjaj, and at this point a sacrifice is made, much like the original story tells, of a lamb or other livestock. Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open waqt (stopping) field called Eidgah or mosque. Affluent Muslims who can afford to sacrifice their best halal domestic animals, usually a cow, but sometimes a camel, sheep, goat, or ram. This is a symbol of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Ishmael.

October 3: Tag der Deutschen Einheit

This is a big year for Germany, as it celebrated a world cup win in June and looks forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall this coming November. Looking at today, October 3rd celebrates the Tag der Deutschen Einheit (unity of Germany), a process that was originally called "reunification" that officially underwent in 1990. The term unity was chosen instead to symbolize the coming together of East and West Germany, which had been divided since the end of World War II, and which had been separated by physical barriers since 1961.

 The unity of Germany was marked by cooperation by the Volkskammer (GDR parliament) and the West German Government. Today, the festivities include speeches by politicians, concerts, feasts and large meals, and fireworks, as well as cultural presentations celebrating and remembering German history. It is a national holiday in the country, and most stores, banks, and government centers are closed for celebrations.