CUSTOMS COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS TODAYS LEARNING INTENTIONS q

CUSTOMS & COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

TODAY'S LEARNING INTENTIONS. . . q We will explore how milestones within our calendar are influenced by different cultural and religious traditions. q We will examine the importance of celebration q We will investigate the origin and key traditions of the Hindu Diwali festival

Birthday Celebrations • How do you celebrate your Birthday? • How do we prepare for the event? • What would we eat? • What music would we listen to? • Who would be invited? • Why do we celebrate?

WHY DO PEOPLE GET TOGETHER? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY? WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FESTIVAL?

Religious Celebrations and the natural calendar • Religious celebrations are often marking natural events • Summer/Winter solstice • Spring • Harvest THINK-PAIR-SHARE • CAN YOU NAME A RELIGIOUS FIEST THAT COINCIDES WITH A NATURAL EVENT?

HINDU FESTIVALS DIWALI v Festival of lights - Fusion of ancient Indian harvest Festivals v Lasting five days, celebrated during the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid. November) v Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance" v Associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity –different stories in different regions v Floating lights

A Diwali Story Once upon a time there was a great warrior, Prince Rama, who had a beautiful wife named Sita. There was also a terrible demon king, Ravana. He had twenty arms and ten heads, and was feared throughout the land. He wanted to make Sita his wife, and one day he kidnapped her and took her away in his chariot. Clever Sita left a trail of her jewellery for Rama to follow. Rama followed the trail of glittering jewellery until he met the monkey king, Hanuman, who became his friend agreed to help find Sita. Messages were sent to all the monkeys in the world, and through them to all the bears, who set out to find Sita. After a very long search, Hanuman found Sita imprisoned on an island. Rama's army of monkeys and bears couldn't reach the island, so they began to build a bridge. Soon all the animals of the world, large and small, came to help. When the bridge was built, they rushed across it and fought a mighty battle. When Rama killed the evil Ravana with a magic arrow, the whole world rejoiced. Rama and Sita began their long journey back to their land, and everybody lit oil lamps to guide them on their way and welcome them back. Ever since, people light lamps at Diwali to remember that light triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.

Hindu Epic Ramayana Once upon a time, there was a king named Dasarata who ruled over the city of Ayodha. When the king married his second wife, Kaikeyi, he made a promise to her. He told her he would grant her two wishes because she saved his life in a battle. One day, King Dasarata announced to the city of Ayodha that he was going to have his first son, Rama the prince. Rama’s stepmother, Queen Kaikeyi, did not like that Rama would be the prince. She wanted her own son, Bharata to be crowned prince. Queen Kaikeyi decided to use one of her wishes to banish Rama to the forest for 14 years. Rama was an obedient son. He honored his father’s promise by going to the forest with his beautiful wife Sita. His loyal brother Lakshman also decided to go with him to the forest. While living in the forest, a demon named Ravana, kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita. A monkey named Hanuman and his monkey warriors helped rescue Sita from the demon. During the battle, Rama’s brother, Lakshman hurt his leg. The only known cure for his leg was an herb that was on a mountain. Hanuman went to the mountain, picked up the entire mountain, and brought it back to Lakshman was immediately cured from using the herbs. When 14 years passed, Rama, Sita and Lakshman returned to the city of Ayodha. The people from Ayodha set up “rows of lights” to safely welcome them back to the city. On this day, everyone remembers that light will always shine bright over darkness, and that good will always overcome evil.

Different variations • Why are there different variations to the story? • Why are there different Gods associated with Diwali? • Are there any other religions celebrating Diwali? If so which ones? • Why is Vishnu celebrated at Diwali, even though the story is about Rama?

DIWALI -CELEBRATED ACROSS RELIGIONS

Groupwork –How do Hindu's celebrate Diwali? • In your group research &present: 1. When does the event take place? 2. How do they prepare for the event? 3. What food will be consumed? 4. How do followers connect in faith? 5. What are the main rituals? 6. What is a diya? 7. What does the festival symbolise? 8. How many days does the Festival last and what do people do on each day?

Diwali Processions • Diwali is celebrated by Indians around the world • Can you find out where they celebrate Diwali?

Diwali Decorations

Popular Diwali songs &Mantra's

Hindu Family celebrating Diwali in Dublin Who is celebrating in the video? Describe the way the family is celebrating in the video Why is it important for the family to celebrate Diwali, even though they are not in India? Describe the feeling a child might have during the Diwali celebrations Do you think Hindu students in our school should be allowed off school during Diwali?

INDIANS IN IRELAND v. There around 14, 332 Hindus living in Ireland (Census 2016) v. Indian Irish Filmfestival: https: //indianfilmfestivalofireland. ie/ v. Ireland Indian Council: https: //indiairelandcouncil. ie/ v. India Day in Farmleigh v. Amma Ireland: Amma the hugging saint visits Dublin every two years v. Hindu Sculpture Garden

VISITING INDIA DURING DIWALI Imagine you have been invited on a trip to India to celebrate Diwali -Write a postcard to your friend recalling what you have experienced

WHY DO YOU THINK RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS ARE IMPORTANT? WHAT DO I KNOW? WHAT DOES MY PARTNER KNOW? WHAT WILL WE SHARE?

SMOG AND POLLUTION AT DIWALI • Read below articles • https: //www. weforum. org/agenda/201 9/11/diwali-air-pollution-delhi-health/ • https: //www. dw. com/en/diwalifireworks-worsen-delhis-hazardous-airpollution/a-51013069 • WHAT NEGATIVE EFFECTS DO RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS HAVE? • COULD YOU NAME A FEW NEGATIVE EFFECTS FROM OTHER RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS? • WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO STOP THE SIDE EFFECTS? • WRITE A SHORT ESSAY – 250 WORDS

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY ü You understand how milestones within our calendar are influenced by different cultural and religious traditions ü You appreciate the importance of celebration for communities ü You can recognize the origin and key traditions of the Hindu Diwali festival

TODAY'S LEARNING INTENTIONS. . . v You will be able understand how followers from the different world religions celebrate their belief v You will be able to identify some of the holy festivals v You will learn about interfaith dialogue

Vesak: A Buddhist Festival v Holiday traditionally observed by Buddhist and some Hindus on different days v Usually in May v Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death Gautama Buddha

HANUKKAH –JEWISH FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS v The eight-day Jewish celebration v The word Hanukkah means rededication. v Every year, the celebration honors the hard-fought victory of the Jewish people trying to keep their faith in second century B. C. E against the Greek/Syrian oppressors v It is an eight-day holiday that will be celebrated this year starting at sundown on December 22 nd v Celebrated today with a big family dinner, serving food such as potato latkes, beef brisket and jelly doughnuts. After dinner, the family gathers to light the menorah candles -a new one each night until all 8 are lit. Blessings and songs are part of the ceremony. v Children get to open gifts from family and friends. They play games with toys such as the traditional dreidel and chocolate coins, called gelt.

WHAT IS HANUKKAH?

CHRISTMAS v The origins of Christmas can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations such as Deus Sol Invictus (observed Dec 25), the Kalends (Jan 1 -5), and Saturnalia (Dec 17 -23). v All happening around the winter solstice v The Christian Church disapproved of these festivals and co -opted the holidays by declaring Dec 25 as Jesus’ birthday, the idea of the solstice, rebirth and new beginnings coincided well with the idea of Jesus' Birth, even though his exact birthday is unknown. v Customs a mix of pre-Christian, secular v Culturally Diverse: v ITALY: Christmas Witch Befana v Germany, St. Nikolaus and Christkindl v Philippines: Giant Christmas Lanterns v Austria: Evil Krampus v Japan: KFC v 6 th/24 th/25/6 th ? ? ?

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Eid al-Fitr v It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. v Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) v Many Muslims dress in fine clothing and children receive gifts on Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al -Fitr in China

QUESTION: v What did you like or dislike about these religious festivals? v Would you be interested in joining in on any of the festivities, if so which one?

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY. . . v We learned about how different world religions celebrate their belief v We learned about the interfaith dialogue