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CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
Unit 3 - 5th Grade - 3rd Cycle
winter
SOLSTICE
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CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS

Unit 3 - 5th Grade - 3rd Cycle

winter

SOLSTICE

CELEBRATIONS

The Zuni people in New Mexico have Shalako, a dance party where they fast and pray before dancing for four days. The Hopi people in Arizona celebrate Soyal, signaling the sun's setting with an all-night party of fires, dances, and gifts. In Japan, they have Toji, a time to start the new year with health and good luck. People light fires, take special baths, and eat lucky foods like kabocha, a Japanese pumpkin. Everyone celebrates the winter solstice in their special way!

CELEBRATIONS

In Iran, they call the solstice Shab-e Yalda, meaning "Night of Birth." People come together, make wishes, and eat special foods. In Peru, there's the Inti Raymi Sun Festival, where they celebrate the sun by fasting, watching the sunrise, and offering a special corn drink.

  • Christmas (Christian)
  • Hanukkah (Jewish)
  • Soyal (Hopi, Northern Arizona)
  • Yalda (Iran)
  • Inti Raymi (Peru)
  • Saturnalia (ancient Romans)
  • Midwinter (Antarctica)
  • St. Lucia's Day (Scandinavia)
  • Dong Zhi (China)
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS

Since ancient times, people all over the world have recognized this important astronomical occurrence. They celebrated the subsequent “return” of the Sun in a variety of different ways. Old solstice traditions have influenced the holidays we celebrate now.

Stonehenge, England Aligned with the sunrise at the summer solstice

WHAT IS THE WINTER SOLSTICE?

CELEBRATIONS

In ancient Rome, there was a holiday called Saturnalia, where they had a big party and gave gifts. In Scandinavia, they celebrate St. Lucy's Day with girls wearing white dresses and candles on their heads. In China, they have Dong Zhi, which means "Winter Arrives," and it's a time to look forward to good things.

  • Northern Hemisphere = shortest day / longest night
  • Southern Hemisphere = longest day / shortest night
WHAT IS IT?

The winter solstice is a special day when the night is the longest and the day is the shortest. People all over the world celebrate it in different ways.