Cultures Essay -- essays research papers

A Christmas time of year in PolandIn todays society, it is real important to permit knowledge of the different cultures that surround us. Most individuals that are born and brocaded in America practice the beliefs and social life of Americans. Most Americans slope to forget there are other cultures that surround us in our everyday life. However being born and raised as Americans, it is slack to ignore our descendents and our ancestors cultural background. In my case, my ancestors were down and perplex a very different cultural background than I do as an American. For instance, the Christmas season, which matchless would believe is far-famed the same(p) way throughout the world, is in accompaniment observe in various different ways. In Poland, there is no Thanksgiving like in the USA. Therefore, there is not any superfluous designated shopping day to start the Christmas season. The Polish Christmas season begins November 30th with a celebration called St. Andrews Day. The re is a long tradition of chance telling especially for non-married girls on the November 30th in Poland. Since November 30th is infra a admirerage of St. Andrew the habit of fortune telling is called St. Andrews Day. The principal(prenominal) purpose of St. Andrew Day celebrations is to predict the future of unmarried girls, especially their prospects for a smashing marriage. St. Andrews Day is a night of magic for new-fashioned girls (Urban-Klaehn, 2005).      The next day of celebration during the Christmas season is St. Barbaras Day. One of the most celebrated days associated with workers group is St. Barbaras Day on December 4th. St. Barbara is a patron of coal miners. Miners profession was always considered dangerous, but prestigious, therefore, this day called "Barbrka" or Barburka" was celebrated for centuries in a spectacular way. The name of the feast originates from St. Barbara as a patron (Pace, 1996).On St. Barbaras Day, miners are dressed in the special uniforms. The uniform consists of a black suit and hat with a feather. The color of the feather, white, red, or black, depends on the rank of the miner. Miners wear their decorative uniforms not only during Barborka, but also for weddings, funerals, and other important political or social ceremonies (Urban-Klaehn, 2005).      Christmas and St. Nicolas Days are not celebrated at the same time in Poland, but th... ...n Christmas season. However some practices are constraining to the same, the actions and the beliefs of Poles vary tremendously from those of Americans. How can the same holiday be celebrated in so many different ways by so two different cultures? Although my ancestors are Polish, being born and raised in America, I practice the beliefs and practices of the American people. Is this a good thing or is it a bad thing? I do not have the answer to that question, but I know that it has to be a good thing to for every individual to h ave knowledge of his or her ancestors and cultural background.ReferencesHouston, S. (2004). Christmas in Poland - Christmas Eve (Wigilia). News and Observer, pp. E1. Retrieved whitethorn 31, 2005, from Proquest database. Urban-Klaehn, J. (2005). Christmas in Poland St. Nicolaus Day (Dec. 6). Retrieved whitethorn 31, 2005, from http//www.bellaonline.com/about/polishcultureUrban-Klaehn, J. (2005). Christmas in Poland - Christmas Eve (Wigilia). Retrieved May 31, 2005, from http//www.bellaonline.com/about/polishculturePace R. (1996). Polish holidays are rich in old customs and tradition. Business America, 117 (12), 2-6. Retrieved May 31, 2005, from Proquest database.