Winter in England is a time of enchantment, where the air is crisp, and the landscape often adorned with a dusting of snow. As the year comes to a close and a new one begins, England comes alive with a tapestry of traditions that celebrate the spirit of the season. Join us on a journey through the winter wonderland of England as we explore the timeless customs that make this time of year truly magical.
1. Christmas Markets:
- As December unfolds, cities and towns across England transform into festive wonderlands with Christmas markets. Stalls adorned with twinkling lights offer a delightful array of handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts. From Manchester’s iconic markets to the historic Bath Christmas Market, these gatherings are a celebration of community and craftsmanship.
2. Advent Calendars and Christmas Countdown:
- The advent calendar tradition is embraced by households across England. From December 1st, each day unveils a small door containing a treat or a festive image, building excitement for the arrival of Christmas. Families also engage in the timeless tradition of counting down to Christmas with anticipation and joy.
3. Decorating the Christmas Tree:
- Decking the halls with boughs of holly takes center stage in English homes. Families come together to decorate the Christmas tree with baubles, tinsel, and lights, creating a festive focal point. The aroma of pine fills the air, and the shimmering tree becomes a symbol of unity and joy.
4. Pantomime Season:
- December marks the onset of the Pantomime season in England. These lively and comedic theatrical performances, often based on fairy tales, are a cherished tradition. Families gather to enjoy the laughter, music, and colorful characters that grace the stages of theaters across the country.
Christmas Day – December 25th
5. Christmas Crackers and Festive Feasts:
- Christmas dinner in England is a grand affair, with families indulging in a feast that typically includes roast turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and, of course, the beloved Christmas pudding. The meal is often accompanied by the pulling of Christmas crackers, small festive tubes that contain jokes, trinkets, and paper crowns.
6. Queen’s Speech:
- A quintessential part of Christmas Day is the Queen’s Speech. A tradition dating back to 1932, the monarch addresses the nation, reflecting on the year and imparting messages of hope and unity. Many families gather around the television to watch this poignant moment.
New Year’s Eve – December 31st
7. Fireworks and Festivities:
- As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, the sky above London and other major cities erupts in a dazzling display of fireworks. Crowds gather along the Thames, in Trafalgar Square, and at iconic landmarks to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new with joyous celebrations.
8. First-Footing Tradition:
- A charming tradition known as “first-footing” is observed in some regions of England. The first person to enter a home after the stroke of midnight is considered the “first-footer” and is believed to bring good luck for the coming year. This tradition varies across communities but often involves the exchange of symbolic gifts.
9. Winter Walks and Frost Fairs:
- January in England invites serene moments amidst nature. Many families embrace the tradition of winter walks, exploring frost-kissed landscapes and enjoying the tranquility of the season. In some regions, the idea of Frost Fairs on frozen rivers harks back to historical times, with activities, markets, and merriment on the ice.
10. Twelfth Night Celebrations:
- January 6th marks Twelfth Night, officially concluding the Christmas festivities. In some parts of England, this occasion is marked by traditional celebrations, including the wassailing of apple orchards to ensure a good harvest and the removal of Christmas decorations.
As winter weaves its magic across England, these traditions create a sense of continuity, warmth, and joy. From the festive markets and Pantomime performances in December to the breathtaking fireworks on New Year’s Eve and the tranquility of winter walks in January, the customs embraced by the English people reflect a deep connection to the season and a celebration of togetherness. As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, England’s winter traditions illuminate the way, offering moments of delight and creating cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Majira ya baridi kali nchini Uingereza ni wakati wa kuvutia, ambapo hewa ni safi, na mandhari mara nyingi hupambwa na vumbi la theluji. Wakati mwaka unakaribia na mpya huanza, Uingereza huja hai na tapestry ya mila ambazo huadhimisha roho ya msimu. Kujiunga na sisi katika safari kupitia majira ya baridi ajabu ya Uingereza kama sisi kuchunguza desturi timeless kwamba kufanya wakati huu wa mwaka kweli kichawi. 1. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Masoko ya Krismasi: - Kadiri Desemba inavyoendelea, miji na vijiji kote Uingereza hubadilika kuwa nchi za ajabu za sherehe na masoko ya Krismasi. Vituo vilivyotiwa rangi na taa zenye kung'aa-ng'aa hutoa bidhaa mbalimbali za mikono, vyakula vya majira, na zawadi za kipekee. Kutoka masoko ya Manchester ya iconic kwa masoko ya kihistoria Bath Krismasi, mikusanyiko hii ni sherehe ya jamii na ufundi. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Kalenda za Advent na Hesabu ya Krismasi: - Utamaduni wa kalenda ya advent unakubaliwa na nyumba kote Uingereza. Kuanzia Desemba 1, kila siku hufunua mlango mdogo ulio na kipande cha karamu au picha ya sherehe, na kujenga msisimko kwa kuwasili kwa Krismasi. Familia pia hujiingiza katika desturi ya kale ya kuhesabu hadi Krismasi kwa kutazamia na shangwe. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Kupamba Mti wa Krismasi: - Kupamba majumba kwa matawi ya holly huchukua nafasi kuu katika nyumba za Kiingereza. Familia huja pamoja ili kupamba mti wa Krismasi kwa vito, vitambaa, na taa, na hivyo kutokeza mandhari ya sherehe. Harufu ya msonobari hujaza hewa, na mti huo wenye kung'aa huwa ishara ya umoja na shangwe. 4. Uwe na uhakika Msimu wa Pantomime: - Desemba huashiria mwanzo wa msimu wa Pantomime nchini Uingereza. Maonyesho hayo ya kuigiza yenye kuvutia na yenye kuchekesha, ambayo mara nyingi hutegemea hadithi za hadithi, ni desturi inayopendwa sana. Familia hukusanyika ili kufurahia kicheko, muziki, na wahusika wenye rangi nyingi ambao huvutia jukwaa la maonyesho kotekote nchini. Siku ya Krismasi <unk> Desemba 25 Krismasi ya Krismasi na Karamu za Sherehe: - Chakula cha jioni cha Krismasi nchini Uingereza ni jambo kubwa, na familia zinazoshiriki katika karamu ambayo kwa kawaida inajumuisha Uturuki uliochomwa, kujaza, sprouts za Brussels, na, bila shaka, pudding ya Krismasi inayopendwa. Mara nyingi chakula hicho huambatana na kuvuta mikate ya Krismasi, mabomba madogo ya sherehe yenye vitongoji, vitu vidogo-vidogo, na taji za karatasi. 6. Uwe na uhakika Hotuba ya Malkia: - Sehemu muhimu ya Siku ya Krismasi ni Hotuba ya Malkia. Katika tamaduni ya mwaka 1932, mfalme anaongea na taifa, akifikiria mwaka huo na kutoa ujumbe wa matumaini na umoja. Familia nyingi hukusanyika karibu na televisheni ili kutazama wakati huo wenye kugusa moyo. Mwaka Mpya wa Mwaka Mpya: Desemba 31 Michezo ya moto na Sherehe: - Saa inapopiga saa sita usiku usiku wa Jioni ya Mwaka Mpya, anga juu ya London na majiji mengine makubwa huwaka katika maonyesho yenye kuvutia ya mioto ya moto. Watu wengi hukusanyika kwenye Mto Thames, Trafalgar Square, na kwenye vituo vya kuvutia ili kuaga mwaka wa zamani na kuwakaribisha mwaka mpya kwa sherehe zenye furaha. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Utamaduni wa Kwanza-Footing: - Utamaduni wa kuvutia unaojulikana kama <unk> kwanza-footing<unk> hufuatwa katika baadhi ya mikoa ya Uingereza. Mtu wa kwanza kuingia nyumbani baada ya pigo la usiku wa manane huonwa kuwa "mguu wa kwanza" na inaaminika kuleta bahati nzuri kwa mwaka ujao. Desturi hiyo hutofautiana katika jamii mbalimbali lakini mara nyingi huhusisha kubadilishana zawadi za mfano. 9. (a) Kwa nini? Winter Walks na Frost Fairs: - Januari katika Uingereza inaalika wakati utulivu katikati ya asili. Familia nyingi hufuata desturi ya kutembea wakati wa majira ya baridi kali, wakichunguza mandhari iliyofunikwa na baridi kali na kufurahia utulivu wa majira hayo. Katika maeneo fulani, wazo la Maonyesho ya Baridi kwenye mito iliyohifadhiwa linatokana na nyakati za kihistoria, na kuna shughuli, masoko, na furaha kwenye barafu. Kumi. Sherehe ya Usiku wa Kumi na Mbili: - Januari 6 huashiria Usiku wa Kumi na Mbili, ikihitimisha rasmi sherehe za Krismasi. Katika sehemu fulani za Uingereza, sherehe hiyo huadhimishwa kwa njia ya kitamaduni, kutia ndani kuondoa mapambo ya matunda ya matofaa ili kuhakikisha mavuno mazuri na kuondoa mapambo ya Krismasi. Wakati majira ya baridi kali yanapozunguka Uingereza, desturi hizo huandaa hali ya kuendelea, uchangamfu, na shangwe. Kutoka masoko ya sherehe na maonyesho ya Pantomime mnamo Desemba hadi fireworks za kuvutia katika usiku wa Mwaka Mpya na utulivu wa matembezi ya majira ya baridi mnamo Januari, desturi zilizokubaliwa na watu wa Uingereza zinaonyesha uhusiano wa kina na msimu na sherehe ya pamoja. Siku zinapopungua na hewa inakuwa safi, desturi za majira ya baridi kali za Uingereza huangaza njia, zikitoa wakati wa furaha na kuunda kumbukumbu zenye kupendeza ambazo huendelea maisha yote.