It almost sounds like the title for some horrible romantic comedy doesn’t it, the one no one really wants to watch but everyone gathers around the TV to watch anyway. Because seriously, who doesn’t like cheesy movies. However, we are not here to discuss movie preferences. No, today we discuss New Years. And more importantly, why New Year’s celebrations vary so much the world over. Well, we here at Sir Holiday cannot tell you the reason everybody is different, but what we can tell you is that we have found a couple rather interesting cultures that celebrate New Year’s in a completely unique way. Let’s see what they got.

Israel

The Jewish New Year has a very unique name, Rosh Hashanah, and is celebrated within the autumn months. It occurs over a period of the first two consecutive days within the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar months. In Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish people undertake time to be retrospective over the past years successes and pitfalls, on how to improve on things for the following year and on where they want to go, amongst other things. They also spend time at the synagogue, with friends, family, neighbours and the community. Most importantly they eat apples that are dipped in honey. The sweetness of the food is to signify how the following year will be ‘sweet’ and therefore filled with abundance and good things for the year to come. 

Thailand

The Thai New Year is observed from the 13^th of April to the 15^th of April each year, and is known officially as the Songkran. If you are in love with water fights or symbol consider playing in water your absolute favourite thing to do, then visiting Thailand over the New Year is an absolute must. In Thailand, people throw water at each other in buckets; shoot at each other with water guns and use everything from garden hoses to water cans to ensure everyone is visibly showered with water. The water is a wish that the coming year will be blessed with good rains and that there will be great abundance and prosperity for all in the months to come.

Ethiopia

The Ethiopian New Year takes place in September, it follows after the final big storms have hit the Ethiopian plains. The New Year is officially known as Enkutatash in Ethiopia and is a joyous time for all. There are parades, with spectacles of traditional dancing; songs are sung throughout villages and communities. Many cities have religious ceremonies that attract many far and wide, but it must be noted that New Year in Ethiopia is not solely a religious holiday and that there is no actual religious occasion that is observed on the New Year’s Day in Ethiopia.

Middle East

The Islamic New Year, otherwise known as the Hijri. It falls on the first day of the first month of the Islamic calendar. The first new moon is recorded within the Islamic calendars; people attend religious services and say prayers for the coming year.

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Jerusalem

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/03/21/13/jerusalem-1712855__340.jpg

Chiang Mai Thailand temple:

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/09/15/01/57/chiang-mai-1670926_960_720.jpg

Blue Mosque

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/11/22/22/50/blue-mosque-1851032_960_720.jpg