Ramadan (Holidays and Celebrations)

96 Pages·2009·8.01 MB·english

by  Amy Hackney Blackwell

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ramadan
Holidays and CElEbrations
Carnival
Christmas and Hanukkah
Easter, Passover, and Other Spring Festivals
Halloween and Commemorations of the Dead r a m adan
Independence Days
Lent, Yom Kippur, and Other Atonement Days
Ramadan
Religious New Year’s Celebrations
Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals
Western and Chinese New Year’s Celebrations
HHoolliiddaayyss CCeelleebbrraattiioonnss
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r a m adan
Amy
Hackney
Blackwell
Ramadan
Copyright ©2009 by Infobase Publishing
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New York, NY 10001
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hackney Blackwell, Amy.
Ramadan / Amy Hackney Blackwell.
p. cm.—(Holidays and celebrations)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60413-098-0
1. Ramadan—Juvenile literature. I. Title. II. Series.
BP186.4.H33 2009
297.3’62—dc22
2008051186
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Contents
b
Introduction to Holidays and Celebrations....................................vi
INTRODUCTION
Origins of Ramadan ........................................................................3
Observing Ramadan .....................................................................10
REGIONAL TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
Africa .............................................................................................24
Asia ................................................................................................36
Europe ...........................................................................................46
Middle East ...................................................................................57
North America .............................................................................. 74
Oceania .........................................................................................82
Glossary ........................................................................................85
Bibliography ..................................................................................87
Further Resources .........................................................................88
Picture Credits ..............................................................................90
Index .............................................................................................91
About the Author ..........................................................................96
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Introduction to Holidays
and Celebrations
Holidays mark time. They occupy a space outside of ordinary events and
give shape and meaning to our everyday existence. They also remind us of
the passage of time as we refl ect on Christmases, Passovers, or Ramadans
past. Throughout human history, nations and peoples have marked their
calendars with special days to celebrate, commemorate, and memorial-
ize. We set aside times to refl ect on the past and future, to rest and renew
physically and spiritually, and to simply have fun.
In English we call these extraordinary moments “holidays,” a contrac-
tion of the term “holy day.” Sometimes holidays are truly holy days—the
Sabbath, Easter, or Eid al-Fitr, for example—but they can also be nonreli-
gious occasions that serve political purposes, address the social needs of
communities and individuals, or focus on regional customs and games.
This series explores the meanings and celebrations of holidays across
religions and cultures around the world. It groups the holidays into vol-
umes according to theme (such as Lent, Yom Kippur, and Other Atonement
Days; Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals; Independence Days; Easter,
Passover, and Other Spring Festivals; Western and Chinese New Year’s Celebrations;
Religious New Year’s Celebrations; Carnival; Ramadan; and Halloween and
Commemorations of the Dead) or by their common human experience due
to their closeness on the calendar (such as Christmas and Hanukkah). Each
volume is divided into two sections—the fi rst introduces readers to the
origins, history, and common practices associated with the holidays; and
the second section takes the reader on a worldwide tour that shows the
regional variations and distinctive celebrations within specifi c countries
The reader will learn how these holidays started, what they mean to the
people who celebrate them, and how different cultures celebrate them.
These volumes have an international focus, and thus readers will be able
to learn about diversity both at home and throughout the world.
We can learn a great deal about a people or nation by the holidays they
celebrate. We can also learn from holidays how cultures and religions
have interacted and mingled over time. We see in celebrations not just the
past through tradition, but the principles and traits that people embrace
and value today.
:vi Ramadan
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The Chelsea House Holidays and Celebrations series surveys this rich
and varied festive terrain. Its 10 volumes show the distinct ways that peo-
ple all over the world infuse ordinary life with meaning, purpose, or joy.
The series cannot be all-inclusive or the last word on so vast a subject, but
it offers a vital fi rst step for those eager to learn more about the diverse,
fascinating, and vibrant cultures of the world, through the festivity that
gives expression, order, and meaning to their lives.
Introduction to Holidays and Celebrations vii;
Muslims select traditional dishes at a Ramadan
bazaar in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during
the holy month of Ramadan.
:viii Ramadan
Introduction
a a a