How Different Countries Bring In The New Years’ Eve: Weird Traditions Around The World
New Years' Eve is celebrated differently in different countries around the world. Some follow traditions, some have their beliefs, some are outright weird.
A typical new years eve celebration will have a fireworks show, some party scene with good music and food, gatherings at public places etc. But we have seen it over the years and it seems mandatory to have over the top celebrations. But other than the party scene there are certain traditions followed by people in different countries to bring in the New Years Eve. Several countries add some unique element to mark their celebrations. Take a look at some of the weird traditions followed around the world:
Argentina: We all have a point on our bucket-list to travel more each year. While doing all the mainstream crackling celebrations, the people here take a round of their house with a suitcase. They believe that if you travel around your house, then you will travel a lot in the oncoming year.
Denmark: People in Denmark have some popular beliefs which rule in their new year celebrations. A lot of us believe in good gifting. We get gifts for our friends and neighbors for good wishes but in Denmark people rather destroy, but the old stuff. They have a crockery smashing tradition, wherein people take old the plates, dishes, bowls which they do not want and smash it on their friends’ house walls on the last night of the year. In fact, the greater the number of broken items found outside your home, the more is your popularity.
Another tradition they have is to leap off a chair at the stroke of midnight. It is considered you are literally leaping into the new year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po4G7mo5BYk
Ecuador: The Republic of Ecuador has political situations to mock for their new years! The people here burn down the effigies of infamous politicians on the New Year night. The locals here release all the negative energies in the form of these effigies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbcvxmlHVgU
Philippines: The people here could be called strong believers in ‘what goes around, comes around.’ Because they have a belief that round objects are a sign of prosperity. People here carry coins in their pockets. They even eat and display fruits that are round in shape.
South Africa: We all want to celebrate the new year beginning by letting behind the old. A more bizarre version of this is seen in South Africa when people throw stuff out their windows! People just throw out their old stuff including a lot of furniture and electrical appliances out on the road. So if one is walking through a residential area, you are definitely going to stumble on the roads. This activity means casting away things which you do not need and starting your new year for better opportunities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gy56iXCsHU
Scotland: Gifting on an occasion sounds good and prosperous and most of us indulge in it. But Scots have too much pampering. The tradition here is if you are the first person to enter someone’s house after the new year then you have to shower them with gifts.
Greece: At most places at the stroke of midnight there is a light and firecracker show to welcome the new year with much brightness and shine. The Greeks, however, believe in turning off the lights. They want to start their new year with a fresh perspective and which is why you create a darkness to look into the bright future ahead. Another tradition which they follow is to smash a pomegranate when they turn off the lights at midnight. The seeds that come out from the fruit represent good luck. So more the seeds on the floor, more the luck in your house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ikBzCBRks
Brazil: The Brazilians have a very cultural themed celebration if compared with the ones we have seen above. The people here offer their prayers to the Goddess of Water, Lemanza. They wear white coloured clothes and since it is bit light, they wear bright coloured innerwear. White is supposed to attract peace. Brazilians also eat rice and lentils which is their staple food. There is also another kind of tradition wherein if you’re at the beach during the New Years Eve, you have to jump over seven different waves while making a wish, each time you jump.
Isn’t it interesting how different countries inline with their traditions and beliefs celebrate their New Years? Do you know of any such other traditions which are followed around the world?
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2018 01:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).