Despite Easter recently passing here in the U.S, there are still many Spring holidays that are celebrated. Easter is a Christian-based holiday, but there are so many religious and seasonal holidays soon to arrive or already being celebrated. Let’s travel around the globe and check out what are some unique holidays celebrated during Spring.
Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day)
With the cool weather and rainy days, a significant 2,500-year-old Chinese tradition of honoring ancestors during the Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) in April. Families visit graveyards to clean tombs, removing debris and often restoring them to show respect. People also believe there is a society in the afterlife; the grave represents the family member and serves as a means of transport to it. To ensure their afterlife, people often place their favorite foods, tea and wine, along with fresh flowers, on graves to remember and honor the deceased. Also, people believe that spirits need other physical items in real life to live comfortably in the afterlife. The act of burning serves as a bridge to transfer items from the human world to the spiritual world. The most often burnt items are money and paper versions of luxury goods, due to changing needs.
Passover
Shifting to Central Asia, with flowers blooming, marking the end of the rainy weather in Israel, where Judaism is primarily practiced, celebrating a tradition that is over 3,000 years old, called Passover. It celebrates the biblical Exodus, where the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Mainly removing chametz from their diet, meaning all leavened grain products (wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt) to honor the hurried departure from Egypt. Eating unleavened matzah, known as the “bread of affliction” or “bread of freedom.” Conducting the Seder ritual meal, a special plate containing six symbolic items: Maror (bitter herbs/slavery), Charoset (fruit/nut paste/mortar), Karpas (vegetable/spring), Zeroah (shank bone/offering), Beitzah (egg/mourning) and Chazeret (second bitter herb). Reading the Haggadah story recounts the journey from slavery under Pharaoh, guided by Moses, to liberation. The narrative is structured around the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah), the four cups of wine and the story of the four sons.
Gulal (colored powders and water throwing)
Moving to India, where the skies are clear and rain is rare, they offer a comfortable transition for the upcoming hot summer. During these seasons when colored powders (gulal) and water throwing take place, this tradition has lasted at least 1600 years. This two-day event marks the end of winter and celebration of the spring harvest and celebrates love, fertility and the victory of good over evil. The event lands in March on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna. Bonfires are lit (Holika Dahan) the night before Holi to represent the burning of evil. On the celebration day, people often wear white clothes, throw colorful powders and douse each other with water in the streets. While known as Holi, it is called Phaguwa or Fagua in Bhojpuri, Ukkuli in Konkani and Kama Purnima in Telugu, often featuring diverse local traditions.
Nowruz
Although most of the spring traditions happen in Asian countries, the religion of Islam is spread all over the world. Nowruz, which is popular in central Asia and the Egyptian festival of Sham el-Nessim are the two most notable celebrations. One significant example is Nowruz (Persian New Year), which occurs during the spring equinox, transitioning to a warm, sunny and green spring weather, representing the rebirth after winter. Celebrated by millions of Muslims in Central Asia for over 300 years. It involves setting a Haft-Seen table with seven symbolic items. Sabzeh (sprouts), Samanu (Sweet Pudding), Senjed (Dried Oleaster fruit), Seer (Garlic), Seeb (Apple), Serkeh (Vinegar) and Somāq (Sumac). Gathering family and engaging in outdoor activities, ideally for the 13-day celebration concluding with Sizdah bedar (Nature day), for a family picnic outdoors in parks or green spaces.
Sham el-Nessim (smelling the breeze)
Another Example is Sham el-Nessim (smelling the breeze) is celebrated annually on the Monday following Coptic Easter. Its name, “smelling the breeze,” highlights the tradition of enjoying fresh, spring air and the mild, pleasant weather. Over 100 million Egyptians celebrate this 4500-year-old national holiday, dating back to 2700BCE. Families typically spend the day outdoors, picnicking in parks on the Nile or in zoos. Eating traditional food like Feseekh, a pungent, salted and fermented grey mullet fish that is a staple of the holiday; Ringa, smoked herring; Green onions and lettuce, consumed as a symbol of spring harvest; Termis, Lupin beans. And a good celebration comes with music. The holiday is celebrated by popular music, including classics like “El Donya Rabee” (it’s spring time) by Soad Hosny.
Whether it be religious or culture-specific, many of these traditions are celebrated throughout the United States. The diversity of spring traditions is truly something to be admired, and it’s a testament to the different conventional thoughts of many people.
