Merry Geographic Christmas!
DR. CHANDRA SHEKHAR BALACHANDRAN
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Reindeer? Snow? Sleigh? Well, we don't have these in India but we sure celebrate it in style!
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PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI
SANTA AND HIS REINDEER SLEIGH: How likely in india?
Share your findings with info@tiigs.org and we will publish selections on the blog at http://tiigs.org on January 1, 2010.
Around Christmas time you will hear songs about the reindeer, the sleigh, and about a “white Christmas”. You will probably see Christmas tableaus with “snow” which is white cotton fluffs!
Something traditional
If Santa Claus wore his red fur suit in most parts of India, even in December, he would be all sweaty and hot!
As for the sleigh, he will not be able to move around much because the sleigh is a snow vehicle. He certainly wouldn't come down a chimney, for there are hardly any around. Finally, the reindeer… no chance.
These “traditional” Christmas things don't make any sense in most of India.
But we joyously celebrate Christmas in India anyway. Everyone joins in! We celebrate in our own way. I have seen beautiful and colourful rangolis in front of Hindu households in Tamil Nadu with “Merry Christmas” written in English. People, regardless of their religion, get together over a meal and exchange gifts.
In southern India, people make two very important snacks ( bhakshya) for Christmas: kal-kal and rose cookies. And who can resist the delicious plum cake (or plum pudding)?
In Australia, New Zealand, and South America, Christmas is in summer!
Look how interesting Christmas becomes when you look at it in connection with geography!
Five things to find out:
Where might a white Christmas be possible in India, and why?
Why is Christmas celebrated in summer in Australia, New Zealand and South America?
Could reindeer really be part of Christmas in most parts of India? Why or why not?
Which Christmas decorations in your area are from cold climates and which are from hot climates?
What are the typical Christmas dishes in your area?
Share your findings with info@tiigs.org and we will publish selections on the blog at http://tiigs.org on January 1, 2010.
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