Page M6 June 20, 1990. This Week

PEOPLE

Folk Fest emphasizes ethnic diversity

By ELIZABETH GORDON
This Week Contributor

olk Fest, a prominent feature

of Victoria summer celebra-

tion, emphasizes our rich eth-

nic diversity. Though English
descendants form the bulk of our
populations, the only “native”
Canadians are the Indians. The rest of
us all came from somewhere else to
form our ethnic stew, bringing with us
celebrations and memories of festivals
in our “old” countries.

Never confuse the Scots and the Irish
with the English. Though St. George of
England’s slaying of the mythical
dragon and St. Patrick’s chasing the
snakes out of the Emerald Isle may
both be symbolic of Christianity over-
coming paganism, there the similarity
ends. Of course March 17 is a big day
for the wearin’ o’ the green, it being the
anniversary of the Irish patron saint’s
death in 389. He used the three-leafed
shamrock to explain the Three Per-
sons of the Trinity. It’s been an Irish
symbol ever since. The lively Irish,
together with their cousins the Scots,
celebrate Halloween in their mother
country.

Halloween was never an English
celebration -- it’s a Celtic one, harking
back to pre-Christian times when the
god of darkness must be appeased so
that the sun, whose dwindling light
raised fears of eternal night, may
gather strength to return. Now it’s a
fun celebration for costumed kids, but
the original Jack o’lantern was a hol-
lowed-out Irish turnip, not the modern
pumpkin.

The Scottish holiday, Hogmanay (the
last day of the year) is celebrated with
gift-giving and as much verve as
Christmas in England. The word may

have originated from the French -

“Homme est ne” -- “a Man (Christ) is
born.” First-footing -- having a dark
man be first over the threshold at mid-
night -- dates back hundreds of years.

A more serious celebration is the
Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, but
it usually comes in September. Jews
believe that on this day the Book of
Life is examined by God. In it are writ-
ten the thoughts and deeds -- good and
bad -- of every person alive. Ten days
later is Yom Kippur, a very solemn
occasion. This Day of Atonement
means prayer and fasting for the
devout.

Still later comes Succoth or the Fes-
tival of Booths. Jews give thanks then
for the harvest, but it’s Hannukah, the
mid-winter Festival of Lights that
Jewish children most enjoy because

they receive gifts then. Hannukah
dates back 2,000 years to Judas Mac-

cabeus who took back the Temple at
Jerusalem from the Syrians. The holy

oil in the lamp -- just enough for one
day -- lasted miraculously for eight.

The menorah, which holds eight
candles, is at the centre of Hannukah

tradition. One candle is lighted each
day until all are lit.

the direction of God, they did act wait
for the leaven (yeast) to rise. The
meaning of Passover is stated by the
father of the household when his son
asks him four traditional questions.
The Christian movable holiday in
spring is, of course, Easter, which falls
on the first Sunday following the first
full moon of the vernal equinox.
Ukrainian Canadians add their uni-
que artistry to the occasion by decorat-

IN THE SPIRIT Cowichan Indian dancer participated in the ceremonies of a

totem-pole raising at the Legislature this spring. Traditional dancing is part of
the rich native heritage being passed on to the younger generation of our

aboriginal people.

Passover harks back to Moses and
the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt
where they had been sorely oppressed.
It is a movable celebration lasting a
week and usually coming in April. It
recalls both the hardship of life in
Egypt and the joy of being led to
freedom. Matzo (unleavened bread) is
eaten. In their speed to leave Egypt at

ing eggs or pysanky. Some designs
originated thousands of years ago and
have special symbolic significance.
Ukrainian Easter bread is another
specialty and is still baked by some
Victorians of Ukrainian ancestry.

The greatest festival of the Chinese
lunar calendar is Chinese New Year
celebrated in late January or early

February. Gung Hay Fat Choy (Happy
New Year) is on everyone’s lips during
the week-long celebration. As the
dragon, always a feature of Chinese
lore, parades down the street,
fireworks drive away evil spirits and
good luck is wished the recipients of
money wrapped in red paper. Hach
year is named for an animal; 1990 is
the Year of the Horse.

Members of Victoria’s East Indian
community may tell you of the two
national holidays in their homeland.
Independence Day celebrates India’s
independence from Britain, gained
August 15, 1947, though she still
retained her association with the
British Commonwealth of Nations.
Republic day, January 26th, remem-
bers the acceptance of a new constitu-
tion in 1950, as befitting a democratic
republic.

Parades are the order of the day,
then, particularly in New Delhi where
elaborately decorated elephants, hor-
ses and camels enliven the procession.
The floats feature people in rich cos-

tumes of past eras, some dating before.
Christ.

A more solemn occasion is the
celebration of Ghandi’s birth Oct. 2. It
was under his leadership that India
gained her independence. In contrast
to this “serious” holiday is Holi (in late
February or early March) during
which colored liquid is sprayed on
everyone in a great spirit of fun. Need-

less to say everyone wears old clothes.

on this day.- 2
All nations represented in our city
have holidays in which gaiety
predominates The Oktoberfest is an
important occasion for Germans. The
joyous music encourages lively
celebrants to dance the polka. In

«*

Bavaria lederhosen (leather pants) ¥

and dirndl dresses are seen
everywhere. Sauerkraut, sausage,
cheese and beer are consumed and
everyone has a good time.

Despite our ethnic diversity, there
are days we all celebrate together,
such as July 1 (Canada Day). Our
country received its name from Jac-
ques Cartier, who got it from the In-
dians. A mistake was made, however,
for “Kannata” was not the name for the
whole country but of an Indian en-

campment nearby. Canada is 123.

years old on July 1st:

We've come a long way since 1867
and many immigrants have swelled
our ranks. Here in Victoria the diver-
sity of our populace and way of life are
remembered each year at Folk Fest.

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