A Time to Celebrate

By Laura Salinger

     It’s that time of year again when Christmas lights and Santa Clauses start to emerge and overtake the American
landscape. But aside from Christmas, there are many other holidays that mark this time of year and hold a special place in
the hearts of many. In Asian American communities, holidays and religious ceremonies have recently or will soon bring
together a number of diverse Asian American communities to celebrate.  
     Many came together recently in the Madison area to celebrate Diwali (Deepavali), the festival of lights that symbolizes the
end of evil and triumph of good. This five day festival is important in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism and is celebrated in
India and many other countries spanning the globe. Diwali is signified by the lighting of small clay lamps and celebrations
that bring communities together to share food, dance, and company. The Indian Graduates Student Association of UW-
Madison put on quite a show, complete with performances and fireworks, at the UW-Madison Memorial Terrace on Nov. 7.
Likewise, the Associations of Indians in America-Madison Chapter celebrated Diwali (Deepavali) with a cultural program,
dinner, and dance.
     The Nepali Friendship Association (NAFA) in Madison recently celebrated Dashain at the Eagle Heights Community
Center, in honor of the longest festival in the Nepalese calendar. The holiday honors the goddess Durga and the victory of
good over evil. Celebrants dressed in their finery and enjoyed performance and traditional food. Dashain celebrations were
soon followed up by Tihar, the festival of lights. NAFA celebrated, partly, with their Deusi Bhailo program. Traditionally, these
are songs sung during Tihar as celebrants visit various homes to collect money and food and give blessings for prosperity.
“NAFA conducted the Deusi Bhailo program on November 5 and 6, which primarily involved visiting several of the community
homes during the 'Tihar' festival, in which blessings and good luck is offered to the families through singing/dancing,” says
NAFA president Shreedhar Ranabhat. “A total of over 32 NAFA volunteers participated in this program.”
     Muslims recently celebrated Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which took place in November this year and is the second
most major Islamic festival.
     “It is the culmination of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca (where Muslims essentially follow in the footsteps of Abraham’s
pilgrimage),” Dr. Zulfiger Shah, the religious director for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, explained in a 2009 Asian
Wisconzine article. “We sacrifice animals to share the meat with the poor. We sacrifice the animal as a symbol of sacrificing
one’s ego, sense of superiority, and arrogance and also as a rejection of evil desires. Muslims share that meat and other
gifts with the immediate family, external family, and human family, which are the poor and needy.”
December will mark the Islamic New Year (Al Hijra) and a day of mourning (Ashura).
     The Southern Wisconsin Hmong Association, Inc (SWHA) recently hosted a Hmong New Year celebration in Madison at
the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall. Programming included special guest speakers, a culture show, food, a Flea
Market, traditional ball tossing, eating, buying gifts, and competitions. Evening programs celebrated the passing of the old
year and the welcoming of the new with song and dance.
Laura
Salinger is a
freelance
writer based
in Madison,
Wis.
     Holidays to look forward to include
the Chinese New Year which begins
Feb. 3, 2011.
     Losar, the Tibetan New Year, will
begin on March 2, 2011. Of course
there are many more celebrations
that will grace the rest of this year into
next year and many are marked in the
Madison area with the spirit of
goodwill and the sense of community.
                    Bilingual K-1 Teacher

The Verona Area International School is seeking a .50 FTE Bilingual K-1 Chinese
(Mandarin) classroom teacher.  Position will begin mid-January, 2011 and requires the
ability to fluently write, speak and read in Mandarin Chinese, (including simplified
characters) and a WI K-6  Elementary Regular Education licensure and Bilingual
license (or ability to be licensed).  Individuals with post-secondary education/teacher
licensing outside of the United States must provide Credential Evaluation
documentation from an authorized provider at their own expense.  

To apply for this position, complete the WECAN online application at
www.verona.k12.wi.us and attach letter of application, resume, three (3) letters of
recommendation and a one page summary of your education philosophy written in
Chinese to your application.

This position will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications on or
around December 6, 2010.
www.verona.k12.wi.us
An Equal Opportunity Educator/Employer
Minorities are Strongly Encouraged to Apply