Three unique new year traditions from around the world
What do a bath, a chicken and cow dung have in common?
Well, they're each used in their own special way to see in the new year. As 2019 draws to a close, it’s time to both reflect on the past 12 months and to look forward to a fresh start in the new year – and a new decade.
Around the world communities celebrate new year in a myriad of ways, and in the countries where we work, some of the local traditions are fascinating. Here's a roundup of our three favourite new year traditions from across the globe.
Using cow dung for cleanliness and health
In Ethiopia, people polish their walls and floors with cow dung to banish dust and illness.
This ritual is thought to bring good health for the coming year.
Bathing your elders
In Cambodia, families run holy baths for their elders to wash away the sins of the previous year and to bring blessings for the year ahead.
The gift of a chicken
In Madagascar, the focus of our Access Denied appeal, family and food are at the centre of new year traditions – two aspects of life that are close to many of our hearts. On New Year’s Day, most Malagasy families come together for a meal of chicken or duck with pork and a mountain of rice.
Malagasy people have deep respect for their elders and at new year they show this through the gift of food, a tradition called ‘Solombodiakoho’.
This custom has been passed through the generations and is a way of showing love and respect to the senior members of the family.
Juliette is a mother of six and a grandmother of 11. She's been celebrating this tradition for as long as she can remember.
She explains: “On New Year’s Day, all my children and grandchildren come to my house, to greet me and wish me good fortune and health. One of them also does a little speech about how important I am to them and how much they love me.
“At the end of the speech they offer me a live chicken, or duck, or [if they can’t afford a bird, a little envelope with money inside].”
Throughout the year, when Juliette’s children and grandchildren eat chicken at home, they invite Juliette to eat with them. The back part of the chicken, ‘vody akoho’, is said to be the tastiest, so that’s reserved for her.
In return, Juliette shares sweets and biscuits with her grandchildren.
WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala
Juliette, 56, giving sweets to her grandchildren outside her home.
WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala
Juliette's grandchildren holding the sweets they have received from her.
WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala
Rova, 11, Feno, 6, and Nandrianina, 9, are very happy with the sweets they've received from elders in their community.
Juliette reflects: “When we do this I feel loved, cared, proud and blessed for having all my children and grandchildren around me. I feel special.”
However we choose to welcome the new year, the hope of good health, happiness and prosperity for the future rings true for all of us.
Like any grandmother, Juliette wants the best for her children and grandchildren. Yet, her village of Ambohimanatrika in Manjakandriana is one of the poorest in the region; 70% of people there are denied access to clean water.
Juliette’s family have to drink water so dirty that it has worms in it. This is normal for them, but it shouldn’t be. We're determined to change that, but we need your help.
Will you start 2020 off right, by helping us reach families like Juliette’s with clean water?
