December 2021 in the CMGMH |
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Greetings CMGMH Friends & Colleagues!
The month of December holds significance for many cultures. With a wide array of observances celebrated, we see a direct image of how rich the world is with tradition. Chances are you know the stories behind Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and other notable holidays across the calendar. In reflecting, this can be attributed to a deep focus from a white, Christian society shaping what is considered culturally significant. This comes at a cost of overlooking many cultures' significant holidays and the meanings that their traditions hold. Therefore, this update will focus on heightening awareness of celebrations that take place in the U.S. and worldwide.
"Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples."
This December update has been created to foster learning, respect, and openness of cultures. An aspect of fully experiencing our humanhood is through the energizing and thought-provoking exploration of heritage. Below you will find articles, exhibits, and videos about upcoming observances with the goal to celebrate the plentiful histories and diverse traditions of various cultures.
Whether through educating others on your traditions, learning about celebrations unfamiliar to you, or fostering your own season of reflection, I hope you all have a joyous, gratitude-filled December.
All the Best,
Anna Ustun
Program Coordinator, Center for Workforce Development
AmeriCorps VISTA Member
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Let's Highlight a Few Upcoming Celebrations |
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Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Spanish Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is celebrated with Masses, dancing, and celebration, with the biggest celebration takes place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
The story of Guadalupe’s appearance to a Nahuatl man in 1531, shortly after the Spanish conquest, and her promise that she is his mother and would take care of the people, has a powerful significance over Mexican culture. Guadalupe is a Catholic, cultural, and national symbol. Her image inspires artists, activists, feminists, and the faithful.
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Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 during the Black Freedom Movement. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African “first fruit” (harvest) celebrations. From there, he combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations to form the basis of Kwanzaa. The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day cultural festival, beginning December 26th. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in their own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and feasts (karamu). On each of the seven nights, families gather and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara. During the holiday, families and communities organize activities around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and lmani (Faith).
The 2021 Annual Kwanzaa Theme is "Practicing Kwanzaa and the Seven Principles: Ensuring the Well-Being of the World".
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From December 21-25, many Hindus celebrate Pancha Ganapati, a five-day festival, to worship Lord Ganesha, the Lord of culture. Pancha Ganapati is a Hindu expression of the natural season of worship, gift giving, and celebration. Family members work to mend past mistakes and bring blessings of joy and harmony into five circles of their life: family, friends, associates, culture and religion.
Observers of Pancha Ganapati spend each of the five days focusing on a special “sadhana,” or spiritual discipline. They create shrines in their homes, meant to represented a new beginning and a mending of past mistakes. At the center of the shrine, a statue of Lord Ganesha is placed, often with tinsel, lights, and ornaments.
Each morning of Pancha Ganapati, children dress or decorate Ganesha in a different color: golden yellow on the first day, followed by royal blue, ruby red, emerald green, and orange which are the colors of Lord Ganesha’s five shaktis (powers).
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President Nicholas Covino & Dr. Catherine Vuky Recognized by Massachusetts Psychological Association |
During an awards ceremony on November 13th, the Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) recognized two members of the William James College community. Dr. Catherine Vuky, who is the director of the Asian Mental Health Program (AMHP) and assistant professor of Clinical Psychology, was recognized as the MPA Teacher of the Year. President Nicholas Covino received the Ezra Saul Psychological Service Award.
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Building A Sustainable Haiti:
A Forum on Relief, Recovery, and Reconstruction Efforts
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Tuesday, Dec. 7th 6 - 8 PM
Featuring speakers from the Ayiti Comunity Trust, Université Notre-Dame d'Haiti, and Functional Literacy Ministry (FLM) of Haiti.
Click the event flyer to learn more and Register
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Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health
1 Wells Avenue
Newton, MA 02459
617-327-6777
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