Almost all of the Western world counts time by the Gregorian calendar. Ancient peoples had no device to mark time so they followed the cycles of the sun or the moon. Solar and lunar calendars, however, were not universal as the cycles of these celestial bodies were widely different from one another.
In the 16th century, Pope Gregory XIII instituted the Gregorian calendar in Europe, which is followed by us even today. This calendar divides a year into 365 days after which we enter a new year marked all over the developed world with festivities and revelry. However, not every culture celebrates its new year on January 1. Even though modern media has not allowed the Gregorian New Year to remain localized to the West, and indeed many traditional cultures do mark January 1 in some way, there are other times of the year that signify the advent of the New Year for some.
Baisakhi: Hindu New Year
The spring festival of Baisakhi marked the beginning of a new year in the India of old. Sikh farmers popped corn and celebrated around bonfires after harvesting the winter crop, looking forward to another year of prosperity. Hindus believe that Goddess Ganga descended to earth in the form of the river Ganges on Baisakhi blessing the land and ensuring plentiful crops in the new year. Baisakhi falls on the day of the solar equinox making April 13th (or occasionally the 14th) the Hindu New Year's Day.
Yuan Tan: Chinese New Year
Another springtime festival marking the beginning of a new year is Yuan Tan, celebrated in China as a time of thanksgiving and renewal. Following a combination of the lunar and solar calendars, Yuan Tan can fall any time between mid-January and mid-February. During this time people strive to settle their debts, clean their homes and gear up for a time of celebration with their families. New Year's Eve is spent having an elaborate family dinner with relatives alive and deceased (their spirits are invited), followed by enjoying a night of fireworks and lion dances on the street.
Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year
The traditional Jewish New Year is celebrated in September as Rosh Hashanah, literally the "first of the year". The day is marked as one of introspection and prayer, traditionally with a visit to the synagogue. It is customary to eat an apple or bread dipped in honey to wish for a sweet year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is observed as a public holiday and is celebrated with large family meals that include "lucky" foods like leeks, black-eyed peas and some meats.
Maal Hijra: Islamic New Year
Followers of Islam observe New Year's day on the first day of the month of Muharram. Far from a Western celebration, Maal Hijra is observed as a day of prayer and sobriety when Muslims look back at the old year past and resolve to lead a better life according to the tenets of the Quran in the coming year. Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar one, Maal Hijra falls on a different date (usually in November or December) every year.
Sources:
Hindustan Link. “Baisakhi Celebration”, accessed December 27, 2010.
Judaism 101. “Rosh Hashanah”, accessed December 27, 2010.
Yuan Tan. " History of Yuan Tan ", accessed December 27, 2010.
Puja Gupta - Puja is a freelancer with a wide variety of interests ranging from Medieval England to modern India, from science to literature. However, ...
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