Happy Holidays From Around The World

It's time to pull on those sweatpants, loosen those belt buckles and prepare yourself for another bout of holiday-season eating. For the next month and a half, most of us will gorge ourselves silly on turkey, ham, casseroles, cakes, cookies and an endless supply of pumpkin pie, but before you dig in to that mountain of mashed potatoes, why don't you give these more worldly recipes a try?

On Nov. 15, the University of Baltimore Diversity Office held an international holiday celebration that provided the campus with, not only the chance to learn about other holidays, but another excuse to eat some fantastic food. So beef up your culture and pile on some Junkanoo chicken or moon cakes.

Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Cakes)

The Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated in China on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, coinciding with late September, early October. The holiday dates back to the legend of Chang Er, who took a pill that turned her into a fairy so that she could fly to the moon and escape her tyrannical husband. When the moon is at its brightest, it is believed that Chang Er is visible on its surface.

"It is a day for the whole family reunion," said Shanshan Su, MPA student. The holiday is a chance for family to gather, much like Thanksgiving.

It is also a day for food, including a traditional small pastry known as a moon cake.

Graphic by John David Bubbins

Diwali (Lapsi)

India is home to one-fifth of the world's population, and as a result, there is much diversity in religion and holiday celebrations. However, Shah Noor, L2 and vice president of SALSA (South Asian Law Student Association), said that Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a national holiday that transcends lines of religion.

The meaning of the festival varies within India's religions, but at its core is a celebration of leaving behind a period of darkness in exchange for the light, hence the name. The name is also derived from the practice of lighting oil lamps, candles, or even neon lights and placing them around the home. The holiday is accompanied by sweets and fireworks. Sweets are an important part of the celebration, and each family has its own recipes, but Lapsi is one definitely worth trying.

Graphic by John David Bubbins

Tabaski (Domoda)

Tabaski is celebrated in African countries such as Sierra Leone and Gambia and commemorates when the prophet Abraham proved his dedication to God. Mosque is attended in the morning, and afterward, the men prepare meats for the women to cook and serve over rice. The rest of the day is spent visiting friends and family, attending concerts and eating.

Of course the best part of this holiday, or any other, is the food. "Tabaski is always fun for me," said Ibrahim Dabo, management information systems major. "I love the meat."

So if you're like Ibrahim, try the recipe for Domoda, a Gambian peanut stew.

Graphic by John David Bubbins

Junkanoo (Johnny Cake)

This Bahamian holiday is rooted in West Africa and the legend of John Canoe, a tribal chief who demanded to celebrate with his people even after slavery had brought them to the West Indies. It is celebrated on Boxing Day, which is the 26th of December and then again on New Year's morning.

The celebration is "a kaleidoscope of color and sound," said Samija Moncur, criminal justice major and president of the Caribbean Student Association. "The rhythmic sounds of cowbells, goat skin drums and whistles, accompanied by an array of brass instruments, create a sweet musical beat that will move you. Brilliantly colored costumes capture your eye and bring much visual delight."

The festival is bright and fun, and nothing goes better with fun than food, so try the traditional Johnny Cake recipe Moncur has provided.

Graphic by John David Bubbins

Hanukkah (Potato Latkes)

The Jewish celebration is in the third month of the Jewish calendar and started on Dec. 4 this year. It commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC.

"When the Jews came in to clean up the temple, they found that the oil lamp, which represents God, was out, and they only had a day's worth of oil left to light it," said Erin Coleman, 3L.

The lamp's light lasted for eight days, and so the celebration of Hanukkah lasts for eight days as well.

Coleman said she enjoys "the lighting of the candles and the singing of the blessing."

It is, of course, a time for families to gather, and families who eat together stay together, so include traditional potato latkes, a sort of potato pancake, on your holiday menu.

Graphic by John David Bubbins

Kurban (Baklava)

This religious festival is celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for God. The celebration's date is based on the lunar calendar, and this year, Muslims in Turkey and worldwide will celebrate it for four days beginning Dec. 20.