BHS students have different holiday celebrations

Miranda Bruner, Ads Manager
December 22, 2009
Filed under Student Life

Although Christmas is a widely practiced holiday, other holidays are still practiced throughout the winter season. Hindus practice Diwali, Jews practice Hanukkah and some African Americans practice Kwanzaa. Each of these holidays can be found in the halls of BHS. All of these holidays have one similar theme: coming together as a family, and even friends. Sophomore Jignesh Patel practices Hinduism, and with this religion they practice the holiday Diwali. Diwali is a five day holiday to celebrate different things each day, such as the goddess of Strength, knowledge, wealth, removing hatred from life and the ancient king, Bali. Patel said that he likes all of the food that is incorporated with this holiday.

“My family has a feast, that’s kind of like Thanksgiving basically,” Patel said. “There are just a lot of sweets to eat, and also traditional Indian food.”

Kwanzaa is also a holiday that is often practiced in America by many African Americans. Sophomore Khalid Dickerson practices both Kwanzaa, on his father’s side; and Christmas on his mother’s. Dickerson said his favorite day of the celebration is the last day.

“Kwanzaa lasts five days, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. We exchange one gift each day of the celebration. We don’t eat special food, it’s mainly just ‘soul food’,” Dickerson said. “My favorite day is the last day because family comes together and just parties.”

Juniors Andi and Suzy Replogle both practice Hanukkah during the holiday season. Andi said that she enjoys all of the oily food that they eat during Hanukkah, especially latkas.

“Its called the Festival of Lights, and it lasts eight days. Each night you light another candle on the Menorah. I love it on the last day, when all of the candles are lit,” Andi said. “We are supposed to eat lots of oily foods, to represent the oil that lasted eight days. I love it when my mom makes latkas, which are a potato pancakes.”

Suzy Replogle said that she likes eating the latkas too. She said her mom makes the best latkas ever, and has won many taste-tests throughout the years.

“I love eating the latkas, which have potatoes, onions, and my mom’s special ingredient: peppers,” Suzy said. ” She calls them ‘Southwestern latkas. She’s won lots of taste-tests. But my favorite part of Hanukkah is the togetherness.”

Each of these holidays, among many others, are practiced in different religions and lifestyles. So whether its Judaism, Hinduism or African traditions, the holiday season is truly a time for families and friends to come together and celebrate life.