Santa Fe Indian Market

This showplace for traditional and contemporary American Indian art is held on the Plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The market is the oldest and largest juried competition among Native American artists. Today, more than 800 artists enter the competition, largely from the 19 New Mexico pueblos and the Apache, Navajo, Hopi, and Ute tribes of the Southwest. Besides the booths of art works, there are numerous food booths, offering such specialties as green chile on fried bread, and there are Native American dances performed at the courtyard of the Palace of the Governors. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Fifteenth of Av

During the time of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (dedicated between 521 and 517 BCE), this was a Jewish folk festival in which young women would dress in white and dance in the vineyards, where young bachelors would come to choose their brides. According to the Talmud, the 15th day of Av was the day when members of different tribes were allowed to intermarry. Although in modern times there have been attempts by new settlements in Israel to turn this day into one of music and dancing, the idea doesn’t seem to have caught on. The Fifteenth of Av is marked only by a ban on eulogies or fasting. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Raksha Bandhan

This day, sometimes also referred to as Brother and Sister Day, is celebrated in some parts of India by brothers and sisters to reaffirm their bonds of affection, as well as to perform a ritual of protection. A sister ties a bracelet made of colorful threads and amulets, called a rakhi, on her brother’s wrists. The brother in turn may give his sister gifts—a piece of jewelry or money—while promising to protect her. In Nepal, it is a festival for both Hindus and Buddhists. The Brahmins put golden threads around everyone’s wrists; they are worn until Diwali. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Baekjung

In Korea, the 15th, or full moon day, of the seventh lunar month is observed with Buddhist and folk agricultural traditions. Baekjung means “one hundred kinds,” referring to the great number of fruits, vegetables, and grains that flourish at this time of year. In farming areas, people celebrate this day as a “weeding party” often called Homi Ssisi or Homi ssiggi—”hoe cleaning,” since, by this time in the season, most of the hard work of farming is completed. The farm worker judged to be the hardest worker is feted with a parade around the village. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Pine Battle of Vinuesa

The Pine Battle or Pinochada of Vinuesa in the province of Soria, Spain, takes place where King Juan I located his main residence in the 14th century. On August 16, the final day of the festival, there is a ceremonial mock battle in which the women of Vinuesa attack the men with pine branches. Centuries ago, when an image of the Virgin was found between two pine trees near the boundary between Vinuesa and Covaleda, a quarrel broke out over who would keep the image. The women tore branches from the pine trees and used them to strike their opponents, thus winning the battle for Vinuesa. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija)

On this day, Malta celebrates the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, a national holiday that commemorates the success of Operation Pedestal. Many believe that it was through the intervention of Our Lady that Operation Pedestal was able to succeed. Church services across the country start with a prayer of thanksgiving, and the names of the five surviving merchant ships are read. The holiday is celebrated festa style—with fireworks, decorated streets, and carts throughout the villages selling many different foods, including traditional sweets and delicacies. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Mount Ceahlau Feast

A folk event that has ancient roots, the Mount Ceahlau Feast is held at Durau, Romania, at the foot of Mount Ceahlau. The mountain was considered sacred to the Dacians, the ancestors of the present Romanians, and was the scene of their annual celebrations. In those days, people climbed to the summit to greet the sun with religious ceremonies and feasts. Today there are demonstrations of such sports as wrestling and foot racing, and exhibits and sales of folk art. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Bud Billiken Day

Bud Billiken is the “patron saint” of Chicago’s African-American children. Created in 1923 by Robert S. Abbott, Bud Billiken is a symbol of things as they should be, and his day is primarily a children’s event. There is a parade held on the second Saturday in August each year, complete with marching bands, baton twirlers, floats, and units from the Navy, Air Force, and National Guard. The formalities end when the parade reaches Washington Park in the Grand Boulevard area of Chicago, where families have picnics and cookouts. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Abbotsford International Air Show

Widely recognized as Canada’s national air show, this three-day event is an opportunity for the aviation industry to display the latest developments in civilian aircraft. Since the first show was held in 1962, it has included aerobatic performances by the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force, the Snowbirds Jet Team and the US Air Force’s Thunderbirds. There is also a large banquet featuring well-known personalities in the aviation and aerospace fields. The show is held at the airport in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and is regularly attended by upwards of 200,000 people. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Battle of Flowers

First held in 1902 as part of the celebration for the coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, the Battle of Flowers takes place on Jersey in the British Channel Islands every August. It begins with a parade of floats covered in flowers, many of which are quite elaborate and take months to prepare. Spectators no longer engage in a flower-throwing melee after the parade—these days the “battle” consists of a competition for the finest floats. A moonlight parade Friday night displays the floats with their illuminations and concludes with a fireworks finale. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary