Holidays & Celebrations
9 episodes tagged holidays & celebrations.
69. Common Ground: Birth & Death — Rituals for Life's First & Final Moments
In this episode of the Common Ground series, we're diving into unique rituals from around the world that honor both birth and death, which is something we all share. We cover: • Navajo First Laugh Ceremony – United States (American Southwest, Navajo Nation) • Baek-il (100-day celebration) – South Korea • Selapan Ceremony (35th day) – Indonesia (Javanese culture) • Jatakarma (Samskara birth ritual) – India (Hindu communities) • Newborn Singing Traditions – West Africa (e.g., Yoruba, Akan, Ewe, Fulani, etc.) • Oríkì (praise poetry for babies) – Nigeria (Yoruba culture) • Aqiqah (naming and sacrifice ceremony) – Islamic tradition • Whenua (placenta burial) – New Zealand (Māori culture) • Miyamairi (shrine visit) – Japan (Shinto tradition) • Traditional Christian European Funerals — Europe • Ghanaian Fantasy Coffins & Celebratory Funerals – Ghana (Ga culture, especially near Accra) • Torajan “Death Feasts” & Body Preservation – Indonesia (Sulawesi, Toraja people) • Pacific Islander Vigil & Communal Mourning – Various Pacific Islands • Jewish Shiva & Chevra Kadisha with Tahara – Jewish communities globally • Japanese Family Body Preparation – Japan • Hindu Cremation (especially along the Ganges) – India • Sky Burial & Miniature Yurt Graves – Mongolia & Himalayan Buddhist regions • Obon Festival & Lantern Floating (Tōrō Nagashi) – Japan • Famadihana (“Turning of the Bones”) – Madagascar • Islamic Burial & 3-Day Mourning Visits – Many Muslim-majority countries (especially Arab nations) • Chehelom (40th Day Mourning Ceremony) – Iran (blend of Islamic and Persian traditions) Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at https://wiserworld.com/ If you'd like ad-free episodes and additional resources, head to to Patreon.com/wiserworldpodcast. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
57. A Brief Intro to SWITZERLAND - Know Before You Go
In this Know Before You Go episode, we cover a basic history of Switzerland for those who want to travel there. We answer these questions and many more: What makes Switzerland so unique? Where is it located and what is the weather like? How is the government structure so one-of-a-kind? What foods are famous in Switzerland? What festivals and traditions do they have? What is a brief history of Switzerland for those who want an overview? What are some cultural norms and rules to follow? What are some tips and tricks for tourists to know before traveling to Switzerland? We’ll dive into these questions and many more in today’s Know Before You Go episode, A Brief Intro to Switzerland. This episode is sponsored by Quince and K12 Powered Schools. Go to quince.com/wiserworld for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Go to K12.com/WISERWORLD to learn more about K-12 Powered Schools. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. Sign up for my email newsletter at https://wiserworld.com/ The transcript for this episode is found here. Sign up for my email newsletter at https://wiserworld.com/ ---- This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
45. What is Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)?
In this short culture episode, we answer the questions: What is Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead? How long has this holiday been around and what are its ancient roots? Who participates and why is it important to them? What traditions commonly go along with this holiday? This episode is designed for those who know little to nothing about this holiday. For extra resources to further your study, head to Patreon. A transcript for this episode is found here. ---- This episode is sponsored by Wondery's Even the Royals podcast. Follow Even the Royals on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. In this episode, I share about the podcast, Calm History. To give it a listen, head to: https://podfollow.com/calm-history ---- This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37. What is Nowruz?
Over 300 million people around the world celebrate Nowruz—a huge spring holiday that’s also sometimes called Persian New Year—annually on March 20th or 21st. In this episode I explain Nowruz for folks who know little to nothing about it, and if you fit that description I can guarantee you’re going to enjoy learning about the unique and ancient traditions of Nowruz. Some of them are over 4,000 years old! For extra resources to further your study, head to our Patreon. A transcript for this episode is found here. Sources used while making this episode found here. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34. What is Diwali?
This is a brief overview of the holiday of Diwali for those who know little to nothing about it. I include the stories and traditions included in the holiday, as well as explain the Lakshmi Puja. While I don't go into every detail of the (typically) five-day festival, I hope this is a primer for those who want to learn more about the holiday and can be a springboard for further research. For extra resources to further your study, head to my Patreon. Transcript for this episode. Special thanks to my friend Abhi for his help in making this episode. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23. What is Ramadan? // Shahnila Ahmad
In this episode, my guest, Shahnila Ahmad (from @bravemuslimparents on Instagram) does a wonderful job of explaining the basics of the holy month of Ramadan. This episode is specifically designed for those who know relatively little about this special month for Muslims around the world. My guest, Shahnila Ahmad, is a Muslim American who grew up in Michigan and moved to California where she has lived for the last 20 years. She has an MBA in Healthcare management as was a Sr. Consultant for the largest HMO in the country. She quit corporate America to focus on family and kids. She is now a homeschool mom of four children, and a Parent Mentor. She has over 15 years of experience with youth. Shahnila is the founder of Brave Muslim Parents where she equips and empowers today’s Muslim parents to raise resilient kids. On her IG page (@bravemuslimparents) she talks about everyday parenting challenges to taboo topics and how to tackle that with a faith mindset. She is a devout American Muslim. Feel free to connect with her on IG @bravemuslimparents. Vocabulary to know: Qur'an: word of God (Allah) & a miracle Iftar: breaking fast meal at sunset Sahoor: Recommended pre-dawn meal Mosque: holy place of worship Shahnila's resources for info on Islam: Visit your local mosque Www.whyislam.org Www.islamicity.org Youtube channel: TheDeenShowTV -- Transcript for this episode. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. You can also support the podcast through Patreon. Wiser World: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
22. What is Holi?
This is a brief summary of the Indian holiday of Holi. I share about the origins of the holiday, the traditions and celebrations, and the foods that are often made. *CORRECTION: In this episode I talk about how Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, when in reality the gods and goddesses of Hinduism are actually embodiments of one main god. Thus is appears polytheistic, but the system of Hinduism is monotheistic. Special thanks to Aarti and Aditya for their help in answering some questions for this episode! Here is a short video on the story of Holika. All other resources used in making this episode can be found here. Transcript for this episode. -- This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. You can also support the podcast through Patreon. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21. Carnival in Brazil, Italy, & New Orleans (Mardi Gras)
This is a brief history of Carnival—noting in particular the history of Carnival, and some fun details about Carnival in Brazil, Italy, and in New Orleans (where it's called Mardi Gras). This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. You can also support the podcast through Patreon. All other resources used in making this episode can be found here. Transcript for this episode. -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
19. What is Lunar New Year?
Have you ever wondered about Lunar New Year? Roughly 1.5 billion people celebrate it annually! This episode covers the very basics of the holiday to give us a little more understanding and clarity on this important holiday. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit airwavemedia.com to learn about other fantastic history and education-centric shows that are created for curious, thoughtful people. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. You can also support the podcast through Patreon. Resources used in making this episode can be found here. Transcript for this episode. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiserworldpodcast/ Website (sign up for email newsletter): https://wiserworldpodcast.com/ To join the email list, click on the website link, and it will take you there. Song credit: "Heart of Indonesia" by mjmusics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices