Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

Article Archives - Volume 4, 2006

BQLT Gardens

Happy New Year.

We are just beginning the year and will put information in as the year progresses.

Garden Potpourri (Crafts, Recipes,Tips...)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Plant Sale

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Wednesday, May 3: 9am-7pm
Thursday, May 4: 9am-noon

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Filler

New Year's Traditions

Auld Lang Syne

Many English-speakers sing an an old Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's eve, inspite of not being Scotland born and bred. The poet Robert Burns published the song in or around 1796, in an edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. Burns transcribed it (and made some refinements to the lyrics) after he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland, Burns's homeland.

It is often remarked that "Auld Lang Syne" is one of the most popular songs but few know all of the lyrics. "Auld Lang Syne" literally translates as "old long since" and means "times gone by." The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and promises to remember people of the past with fondness, "For auld lang syne, we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet."

The lesser known verses continue this theme, lamenting how friends who once used to "run about the braes,/ And pou'd the gowans fine" (run about the hills and pulled up the daisies) and "paidl'd in the burn/Frae morning sun till dine" (paddled in the stream from morning to dusk) have become divided by time and distance—"seas between us braid hae roar'd" (broad seas have roared between us). Yet there is always time for old friends to get together—if not in person then in memory—and "tak a right guid-willie waught" (a good-will drink).

Guy Lombardo*, bandleader. and not Robert Burns, made the song popular and turned it into a New Year's long lasting US fad. It has been written that Lombardo first heard "Auld Lang Syne" in his hometown of London, Ontario, sung by Scottish immigrants. When he and his brothers formed a dance band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, the song became one of their standards. Lombardo played the song at midnight at a New Year's eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City in 1929. After that, Lombardo's version of the song was played every New Year's eve from the 1930s until 1976 at the Waldorf Astoria. Initally, it was broadcast on radio, and later, on television. The song became a New Year's tradition. The band itself dominated the music charts from 1929-1952, (every single year) with a a total of 21 #1 hits.

*(Lombardo's father told him, "Music is easy to play and easy to listen to if you don't forget the melody and choose songs people can sing, hum, or whistle." This was advice to young would-be jazzmen and upon which he built musical success. Gradually the Lombardo style - which was really no style at all - developed. The band began to offer dancers a song's melody, unadorned by arrangement or improvisation.)

Hogmanay (Scotland)

The alleged birthplace of "Auld Lang Syne" is Hogmanay (hog-mah-NAY), Scotland. The Scottish New Year's celebration (the origins of the name are obscure) has this as one of the traditions: "first-footing ." Shortly after midnight on New Year's eve, neighbors pay visits to each other and impart New Year's wishes.

Traditionally, First foots used to bring along a gift of coal for the fire, or shortbread. It is considered especially lucky if a tall, dark, and handsome man is the first to enter your house after the new year is rung in. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebration is the largest in the country, and consists of an all-night street party.

Australia

Fireworks shine from Sydney's Harbor Bridge ushering in the new year. Revelers begin partying, visiting places of worship and gathering with family to welcome in the new year.



Brazil

In Brazil, many people visit Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana Beach to watch a New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza that officials said would be the largest in the city's history. Each year, they seem to try and top the preceding year. This year they planned to set off nearly 25 tons of fireworks.



China

The New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events. For example:

The Lantern Festival

Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival on the fifteenth day of the month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.

In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets.

In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats. In New York, especially since September 11 (911), fireworks are forbidden.


Oshogatsu (Japan)

In Japan, the new year is important holiday because to the Japanese the new year is a symbol of renewal. In December, various Bonenkai or "forget-the-year parties" are held to bid farewell to the problems and concerns of the past year and prepare for a new beginning. Misunderstandings and grudges are forgiven and houses are scrubbed.

Sending New Year's cards is a popular tradition—if postmarked by a certain date, the Japanese post office guarantees delivery of all New Year's cards on Jan. 1.

In Japan, several people are expected to climb the country's mountains — including the 12,387-foot, snowcapped Mount Fuji — to see the first sunrise of the new year. Some 100 million people are likely to visit shrines and temples in the first three days of 2006.

At midnight on Dec. 31, Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times, in a effort to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year's day itself is a day of joy and no work is to be done. Children receive otoshidamas, small gifts with money inside.

But a new holiday pastime also has emerged among Japanese — watching professional wrestling on TV — and many will ring in the new year glued to their sets.


Spain

The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

The Netherlands

The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.

Greece

In Greece, New Year's day is also the Festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the traditional foods served is Vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year.

>B>United States

It seems that one of the most famous tradition in the United States is the dropping of the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight.

The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter.

In the south, the traditional New Year's meal is Hoppin' John—black eyed peas, collard greens, corn bread, and ham hocks. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year."

Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Tournament of Roses parade that precedes the football game on New Year's day is made up of elaborate and inventive floats. The first parade was held in 1886.

Widely Observed New Year Symbols and Traditions

Resolutions:

It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. The early Christians believed the first day of the new year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year.

Fireworks: Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year's eve is believed to have originated in ancient times, when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. The Chinese are credited with inventing fireworks and use them to spectacular effect in their New Year's celebrations. Some of my historical research implied that Marco Polo stole several artifacts (including gunpowder, piping used to propel the fireworks and later redesigned into gun barrels or shafts, spaghetti, et al) used for this and other Chinese festivals and/or religious fetes and took them with him back to Europe during his escape from behind the Great China Wall.



Saying “Happy New Year!” Around the World
Language Happy New Year!

Afrikaans Voorspoedige nuwe jaar
Arabic Kul 'am wa antum bikhair
Basque Urte Berri on
Bengali Shuvo noboborsho

Chinese (Cantonese) Sun nien fai lok
Chinese (Mandarin) Xin nian yu kuai
Czech Stastny Novy Rok
Dutch Gelukkig nieuwjaar
Esperanto Bonan Novjaron
Finnish Onnellista uutta vuotta
French Bonne ann?©e
German Ein gl?¼ckliches neues Jahr
Greek Eutychismenos o kainourgios chronos
Hawaiian Hauoli Makahiki hou
Hebrew Shana Tova
Hungarian Boldog uj evet
Indonesian (Bahasa) Selamat Tahun Baru
Italian Felice Anno Nuovo or Buon anno
Japanese Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu
Korean Sehe Bokmanee Bateuseyo
Laotian (Hmong) Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab
Latin Felix sit annus novus
Nigerian (Hausa) Barka da sabuwar shekara
Norwegian Godt Nytt ?…r
Philippines (Tagalog) Manigong Bagong Taon
Polish Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Romanian La Multi Ani si Un An Nou Fericit
Samoan Ia manuia le Tausaga Fou
Spanish Feliz a?±o nuevo
Swahili Heri za Mwaka Mpya
Swedish Gott Nytt ?…r
Vietnamese Chuc mung nam moi
Welsh Blwyddyn Newydd Dda



New Year's Traditions
Auld Lang Syne and other New Year's customs
by Borgna Brunner

"Auld Lang Syne"
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.More on New Year's Celebrations

A History of the New Year

Saying “Happy New Year!” Around the World

New Year's on Dates Other Than Jan. 1

Chinese New Year

2005 Feb. 9
2006 Jan. 29
2007 Feb. 18
2008 Feb. 7
2009 Jan. 26
2010 Feb. 14
2011 Feb. 3
2012 Jan. 23
2013 Feb. 10
2014 Jan. 31



Jewish New Year: Rosh Hashannah

2005 Oct. 3
2006 Sept. 22
2007 Sept. 12
2008 Sept. 29


Islamic New Year: Muharram

A.H. 1426 Feb. 10, 2005
A.H. 1427 Jan. 31, 2006
A.H. 1428 Jan. 20, 2007
A.H. 1429 Jan. 10, 2008


For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. This year Ramadan precedes Christmas and Hanukkah. While in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).


Eid al-Fitr

More than a billion Muslims around the world observe Ramadan (“month of blessing”), with prayer, fasting and charity. They celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three-day festival, called Eid al-Fitr, which means “breaking of the fast.” It's one of the most important holidays in Islam. (Islam is the name of the religion practiced by Muslims.) During Eid al-Fitr, people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children and visit with friends and family.

Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.


Fasting


Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers




We should all count our blessing this New Year's and be grateful for our families, friends, health, et al. Lest we forget while celebrating New Year's with festivities, last year this generally jubilant celebration was marred when the devastation of the Indian Ocean tsunami led many countries and individuals to cancel festivities.


For the millions left homeless by this year's South Asian earthquake, however, the new year was expected to begin with heavy snow and rain. Relief agencies warned that the harsh Himalayan winter could hamper aid deliveries and create conditions ripe for illnesses.

Pakistan's army and aid workers have been using helicopters, trucks and mules to get tents, clothes, food and other provisions to survivors since the Oct. 8 quake killed an estimated 87,000 people and destroyed the homes of 3.5 million more.

In Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, a bomb ripped through a busy meat market in a predominantly Christian district Saturday, killing at least eight people and wounding 45, officials said. Police said the bomb packed with ball bearings and nails went off as people bought pork for the night's festivities.


FYI: For New Yorkers who were saddened or angered by the MTA strike, did you consider who made the decision to have the employees contract end around the holiday season, i.e. end mid-December? Did anyone other than myself ever wonder why they couldn't come to some type of agreement before or during the three year's that the workers worked without contracts? I can't be the only one.

NOTE: In London: Workers in London's subway system began a 24-hour strike at midday Saturday (December 30), complicating travel plans for revelers preparing to celebrate the new year across the city, including at a huge open-air party in Trafalgar Square.





Information for this article was gathered from several sites, newspapers, magazines, and books including: Information Please - Fact Monster; religioustolerance.org; re: January 1 New' Year's" Day', celebrated as a holiday in many countries, found also in Random House Unabridged Dictionary; Enclyclopedia Britannica; and the Associated Press Wire Service.


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Has the year always started on 1 January?

For the man in the street, yes. When Julius Caesar introduced his calendar in 45 B.C.E., he made 1 January the start of the year, and it was always the date on which the Solar Number and the Golden Number were incremented.

However, the church didn't like the wild parties that took place at the start of the new year, and in C.E. 567 the council of Tours declared that having the year start on 1 January was an ancient mistake that should be abolished.

Through the middle ages various New Year dates were used. If an ancient document refers to year X, it may mean any of 7 different periods in our present system:

1 Mar X to 28/29 Feb X+1
1 Jan X to 31 Dec X
1 Jan X-1 to 31 Dec X-1
25 Mar X-1 to 24 Mar X
25 Mar X to 24 Mar X+1
Saturday before Easter X to Friday before Easter X+1
25 Dec X-1 to 24 Dec X
Choosing the right interpretation of a year number is difficult, so much more as one country might use different systems for religious and civil needs.

The Byzantine Empire used a year starting on 1 Sep, but they didn't count years since the birth of Christ, instead they counted years since the creation of the world which they dated to 1 September 5509 B.C.E.

Since about 1600 most countries have used 1 January as the first day of the year. Italy and England, however, did not make 1 January official until around 1750.

In England (but not Scotland) three different years were used:

The historical year, which started on 1 January.

The liturgical year, which started on the first Sunday in advent.

The civil year, which
from the 7th to the 12th century started on 25 December,
from the 12th century until 1751 started on 25 March,
from 1752 started on 1 January
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