December 31, 2004

The New Year is celebrated differently around the world - You don't say? Well I never. Here are a collection of New Year traditions from all around this wonderful little blue-green planet floating out here in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western spiral arm of the galaxy.

I can't vouch for the absolute accuracy of this collection, however, as apparently we here in Australia celebrate with rodeos, picnic races and surf carnivals. I have never seen a rodeo in this country, at least not called that, & have no idea what a picnic race is. I'm a little puzzled about surf carnivals, to be honest. Nevertheless, ah loave hogmanay, tha noo. Have a good one. (I shall be havin' a wee bonfire in me back green tonite, & I'll be pished, so I hope I dinnae burn the block down)

posted by Nostrildamus 19 years ago
  • In the US they believe that black-eyed beans are lucky. They also watch the Championship football games in stadiums or on their televisions. um... Ok? The USA page also goes on to tell us what they do "In Puerto Rico South America" .... seriously, was this made by a class of "special" 4th graders or what?
  • No New Zealand New Year's? I guess we're an Australian territory yet again.
  • Same as the Welsh, I think. Sheep fucking.
  • Yeah, the information on this site is suspect. For example, they mention that Diwali is the Hindu new year, but IIRC there are about a dozen different 'Hindu calendars', and Diwali has different meanings in different areas. Their Japanese new year is mostly right, but they don't make clear that joya no kane are played at midnight on the eve of the new year, nor do they mention the best part of the celebration— getting otoshidama (packets of money) from everyone you know.
  • they've got the korean solar new year and lunar new all moshed into one.
  • lunar new year
  • Well let me be the first to tear myself away from my championship football game, raise a lucky black-eyed bean and say Happy USA New Year to you all! Seriously though I will be celebrating the Los Angeles New Year by the traditional firing of my gun into the air.
  • ...hope I dinnae burn the block down Being a redhead, never been asked to first-foot anyone's house, which two of my older dark-brothers did, much to my youthful envy. Nostril, wish ye the best yet and always!
  • Times Square in New York City has a ball drop hosted by the television celebrity Dick Clark. Every year since the signing of the Declaration, we USAns have had Dick Clark host the Ball Drop. He's nearly as dessicated as a dried black eyed pea, but once a year we drag him out and do it again. When Clark finally drops the ball, legend has it that the Liberty Bell will crack, California will sink into the sea, and time as we know it will come to an end.
  • oh GranMa, you gave me a good laugh. I watched the Ball Drop this year, and was horrified to see that 1. Regis Philbin was there instead of Our National Treasure Dick Clark, and 2. The whole thing seemed to be a video greeting card for the ailing Dick Clark. In San Antonio, Texas, instead of watching the ball drop they watch the elevator go to the top of the Tower of the Americas.