Philippine Festivals

1” Festival activity, which has always been a significant part of Pacific culture, has provided a vehicle for expressing contemporary indigenous identities. The Festival of Pacific Arts, founded in 1972, has become a major venue for the perpetuation of the region’s arts, music, and dance. With the goal of reviving what was in danger of being lost, the festival is held every four years, each time hosted by a different country.” It almost seems to be a Polynesian “Olympics”, but for partying. The Hula dance is very popular within the islands. The Hula dance is so popular that it has its own festival: the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Competition. The Tiki culture became popular due to the Pacific themed bars. Decorators and bar owners used the Pacific mentality to reel in consumers. 3 “Tiki carving is one of the oldest art forms known to man, and all original Tiki carvings are unique. Each island culture introduced another variation to the carving technique. In most Tiki cultures, Tiki statues carved by high-ranking tribesmen were considered sacred and powerful, and these were used in special religious ceremonies. Tiki statues carved by anyone other than a high-ranking tribesman were used simply as

I learned that the Sun Dance was the most important religious ceremony of many tribes in the 19th century and it occurred at the time of the Summer Solstice. It would last from four to eight days starting at sunset and then ending at sunset. I learned that everything they, do even when they start and end, has a reasoning behind it. The significance

Traditions have been around forever, and are all around us today. Holidays such as Mardi Gras, are ones deep in tradition and festive origins. This crazy holiday, has changed and grown all over the world since first celebrated. Cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and New Orleans, United States hold some of the greatest celebrations of this holiday. Here they bake, dance, parade and and throw beads all through this four day holiday. Symbols such as colors, food, and dance are some mysteries of Mardi Gras that have more meaning than many people may think. Planning of these traditions starts about six months beforehand, by groups called krewes. Mardi Gras is a holiday deep in tradition and religion that has greatly developed

Doubloons which are aluminum coin-like objects bearing the Krewe's insignia on one side and the parades theme on the reverse. You can see the sparkling of the coins in the air and there's that all too familiar "ding-ding" sound when they hit the street. You can see the crowd bending over to look for them on the ground. Little toys and stuffed animals are some of the many little trinkets thrown about. Of course there is always some one waving around colorful underwear to give out to the deserving fan.     

Today, one can still find several “stomp grounds” which are a series of dances among a sacred fire. It was a secretive ritual for a long time but has slowly increased to a more public performance (Conley).

It is primarily made up of children dressed in silver and gold robes carrying lit candles and pictures of Mary and Joseph riding a donkey. Sometimes they may become quite elaborate with live donkeys, parishioners dressed like Mary and Joseph, and a small group carrying a manger scene. Adults and musicians follow the procession, which visits selected homes. The homes have been chosen before the Posada, and the group goes up to the house and asks for lodging for Joseph and Mary. Traditionally, the families do not let the procession come in, but the hosts often provide refreshments. At each stop, passages of scripture are read and Christmas carols are sung. When they are finally allowed into a house, the La Posada dinner, provided by the host family of the night, includes Hispanic dishes as tamales, menudo and posoli. As the night draws to an end, small bags filled with treats and candies called aguinaldos are distributed as parting gifts to the

To pay homage to this vital day, the city of Puebla hosts a re-enactment of the battle, a massive civic parade, and various festivities that include dancing and singing. The Reconstrucción de la batalla allows volunteers and spectators alike to get a brief glimpse of the fighting that occurred on that historic day, without of course the great amounts of sacrifice and bloodshed. The reenactment consists of blank firing weapons, uniforms, and militaristic strategies that all stay true to the era. Puebla also organizes an annual civic parade, which now includes over 20,000 participants. School children, military, and floats are all included in this parade and are accompanied by mariachi bands, folkloric dancers, and colorful decorations.

Although the dance originated in Zitlala, dancers perform it today in many regions for many different celebrations and festivities. One of these include “Dia de San Juan Bautista” or Day of Saint Juan. In fact, they perform this and similar dances during celebrations of all the Saints. A parade usually marks the beginning of the festivity. Cars and floats move along the streets. These floats normally all demonstrate some aspect of Mexican culture, such as music. Then, the dancing begins. There is also a firework show. These festivities usually last through the night. The dance is

When thinking about Hispanic parties, most people think of piñatas, traditional hollow papier-mâché creations filled with candy. Each child at the party is blindfolded and given a stick to try and break the piñata, spilling the candy onto the ground for all the children to collect (Explore Hispanic Culture, 2012). However, researchers believe this tradition extends back to Mayan times, where clay pots filled with gifts were broken open and considered to be favors from the gods (EHC, 2012).

One famous Polynesian tradition is a celebration dinner to mark an important event. This typically features a feast of pig cooked in a pit oven, then entertainment including local dancing, drumming and fire-walking. In Hawaii these celebrations are well-known as ‘luaus’, in Fiji they are ‘lovos’, and for Maoris they are called ‘hangi’.

San Antonio, Texas is not just a tourist spot, and there are lots of cultural festivals is going on for the whole year. The events, lots of local people join with the tourist visitors from all around the world. Some of the cultural festivals are: Celebrate San Antonio on New Year’s Eve, BorderFest, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, El Dia De Los Muertos, Texas Sandfest, Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Show, Fiesta San Antonio, etc. Now we are giving you the list for the whole year, thinking that you may like to join and take part in one or few cultural activities.

The whole family came together; part of her family came from New York and Texas. Godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who were also the “padrinos” or sponsors; the padrinos are those who have contributed financially to the celebration, padrinos are distinguished because they wear a small corsage. The godparents are very important in this celebration. The godparents presented the porcelain doll to the quinceañera. This was a special moment for the quinceanera because in our culture, godparents are respected the same as blood parents. The first dance was with her father. This first dance is very significant because the father has the opportunity to change the quinceañera ballerina flats with the high-heeled shoes. The cutting of the cake was at the very end of the celebration, the parents gave some words of thanks and the quinceanera as well took a moment to express her gratitude to her parents, family and friends.

Ng, C. (2010). Symbols of Affinity: Ceremonial Costumes in a Minangkabau Village. The Heritage Journal, 5, 26-55.

The Flower Festival, is also a major attraction in Medellin. It takes place at the end of July and it lasts until early August. This huge annual event is opened with about 7,000 campesinos parading through the city on horseback. Groups or individuals may have a theme or motto, such as peace, but other prefer to linger along the route provoking cheers from the large audience. Others gallop, or dance their horses decorated in all types of colors and of different sizes for the duration of the parade which goes on for about eight hours.

During Semana Santa, there are many celebrations that go on. People honor their local saints, wear unusual costumes, and throw parades. A local Spanish saint was St. Teresa of