Wacky New Year Customs Across the World
The Spanish cram grapes into their mouths. Those in Venezuela carry suitcases around the house while the Brazilians wear white and go to the beach to jump over seven waves for good luck. What other interesting rituals do people do to welcome the New Year?
A “Grape-alicious” New Year
On the last day of the year, everyone in Spain , young and old alike will be armed with exactly 12 grapes. They will wait excitedly and listen intently for the chimes of the famous clock tower in Puerto del Sol in Madrid through their TV sets or at the tower itself. At midnight , each time the clock chimes, everyone will put one grape into their mouths. By the time the clock stops chiming, everyone has to have finished their grapes and the New Year starts. But it is almost impossible for children and even some adults to finish their grapes on time. Those who can, on the other hand, compete to see who can finish it the fastest. You can imagine just how much fun everyone has and how funny they look chewing frantically with their mouths full of grapes!
This peculiar custom originated in the twentieth century when freak weather conditions resulted in a huge bumper harvest of grapes. Unsure about what to do with so many grapes at the end of the year, the King of Spain and the grape growers at that time came up with this New Year tradition which has carried on through the years. Besides the Spanish, some Latin Americans also keep this New Year custom.
Jet Away this New Year
If you ever go to Venezuela , Argentina , Bolivia or Mexico and you see people walking around their houses with a suitcase, don't think they're crazy. In these countries, those who hope to travel in the New Year will carry a suitcase around the house at midnight . Some will even carry the suitcase around the block to ensure that they can travel to places further away.
An Evil-Free New Year
Late in the evening of 31 December, the Japanese would eat a bowl of buckwheat noodles called toshikoshisoba , or “year-crossing noodles”. At midnight , they would listen out for the sound of the Buddhist temple bells which would be rung 108 times. The custom of ringing the temple bell 108 times comes from a traditional legend. The legend says that there are 108 evil desires in each human being. The sound of the temple bells is said to purify the listener from these 108 evil desires and sins.
Goodbye, “Mr Old-Year”!
Burning “Mr Old-Year” is a New Year's tradition in some cities in Colombia , Cuba and Puerto Rico . This particular custom requires the participation of the entire family and is lots of fun! The family will fashion a big stuffed male doll that represents the old year. They stuff the doll with different materials and sometimes even add in fireworks to make it more exciting. Also, they put in things that they don't want anymore or objects that bring sadness or bad memories. After this, they will dress Mr Old-Year in old clothes from each member of the family. At midnight on New Year's Eve, they will set Mr Old-Year ablaze. This symbolises burning the past and preparing to begin a new year without bad memories or sadness from the past.
Wave “Hello” to a Good Year
In Brazil , New Year customs are centred on obtaining good luck and fortune for the year ahead. On New Year's Eve, most people will dress in white to bring good luck and peace for the year. In cities with beaches, people go to the beach after midnight , jump over seven waves and throw flowers into the sea while making a wish. The Brazilians believe that the goddess who protects the sea will make their wishes come true.