Ethnic
& Religious Observances
The United States is a
nation of many religions
and ethnic groups. Many
of these have feast days,
holy days or special customs
related to their religion
or to their nation of origin.
People of both the Jewish
and Moslem faiths,
for example, observe
all of their traditional
holy days, with employers
showing consideration
by allowing them
to take days off so they can observe their traditions.
Some customs which hark
back to traditions
of other countries
lend a great deal of
color to American life.
The celebration of
Mardi Gras - the day
before the
Christian season of Lent begins in late winter - is a tradition in New Orleans,
a major southern city located in the state of Louisiana. The celebration, marked
by a huge parade and much feasting, grew out of old French traditions, since
Louisiana was once part of France's New World empire. In various places, other
ethnic groups sponsor parades or other events of great interest, adding pageantry
and merriment to American life. Just a few examples:St. Patrick's Day in the
United States is a time of celebration for people of Irish descent and their
friends. One of the biggest celebrations takes place in New York City, where
a parade is held on the Irish patron saint's feast, March 17.In areas where
Americans of Chinese
descent live, and especially
in the Chinatown sections
of New York
City and San Francisco, California, people sponsor traditional Chinese New
Year's celebrations
with feasts, parades
and fireworks. "Octoberfest" featuring
German music, dancing and food are held wherever large groups of German-Americans
live.
African Americans have
begun to observe Kwanzaa,
a holiday based on
the African celebration
of the first harvest
of the year, December
26 through January
1.
Developed in 1966, by a black studies professor at California State University,
Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa celebrates the unity and development of the African
community. Founded upon the "Nguzo Saba," or the seven principles of
unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics,
purpose, creativity and faith, Kwanzaa encourages African Americans to think
about their African roots in addition to their present-day life in America. African
Americans will exchange gifts as rewards for their achievements; and they will
light the "Mishumaa Saba" or seven candles to remind them of the seven
principles which unite them.
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