Festivals of Culture
July 5, 20, 28August 2, 23September 6, 20October 4, 12Noveber 1, 22 |
Stepping Stones Museum for Children will celebrate Festivals of Culture to share with visitors how various people observe different holidays and the unique characteristics and connections between world cultures. From Asia to Europe and the Americas, holidays and traditions that highlight the harvest are rich and varied, but all honor family and community and offer thanksgiving for the wonderful food the earth provides. Each month from July to November, learn about a different Harvest holiday and the people who celebrate it through performances, special activities and literature. |
July – Green Corn Festival: Native American
The Green Corn Festival or Ceremony is a Native American harvest celebration. Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Yuchi, and Iroquois Indians, as well as, other Native American tribes celebrate this ceremony in some manner.
The ceremony is typically held during the full moon when the first corn crop is ready to harvest. The exact date cannot be determined ahead of time; it's all up to the corn. It is a time of thanks and forgiveness. The festival typically will last for multiple days and is celebrated with dancing and drumming, religious ceremonies, feasting and ball games.
Native Americans or American Indians were the first people to live in this country. There are many different tribes located throughout the United States including the Pequots, Quinnipiacs and Mohegans in Connecticut
July 5 – Creative Kids: Native American Art
2:30pm
Make your own paintbrush and create a picture out of materials from nature.
July 20 – Sky Tales
11:00am
Native American Tales from seven different Native nations performed by the Mythical Paper Beasts Theatre Company.
July 28 – StarLab with Steve Tomecek
1-4pm
Look up at the stars and learn some Native American stories about the constellations.
August – Yam Festival: Ghana and Nigeria
Who Celebrates: A popular holiday in Ghana and Nigeria, the Yam
Festival is named after the most common food in many African countries.
How is it Celebrated: The festival is celebrated with dancing, feasting
and drum playing. Special foods made with Yam are served.
When: The Yam Festival is usually held in the beginning of August at
the end of the rainy season.
Fun Facts:
*Ghana and Nigeria are both located in Western Africa.
*Yams are the first crops of the season to be harvested.
*A yam is large root vegetable that looks like a tube.
August 2 - Creative Kids: Culture/Dance
2:30pm
Learn about which African countries celebrate the Yam Festival.
August 23 - Drum Tales with Mikata
1:30pm
Dancing, music and stories are all part of this interactive performance featuring Africa.
September – Harvest Moon Festival: Southeast Asia
Who Celebrates: Very popular in South East Asia including China, Korea and Vietnam.
How is it Celebrated: It is also called Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival. It is a time for family and friends to celebrate by eating mooncakes and gathering together for special dinners, folktales and lantern parades.
When: On the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar (usually in September). In 2008, it will be on September 14.
Fun Facts:
*Chinese legends say that the moon is at its brightest and roundest on this day.
*In Vietnam, it is also called the Children’s Festival.
*In Korea, the festival is called Chusok and is known as the Korean Thanksgiving.
September 6 – Mokoto
1:00pm
In honor of the Harvest Moon Festival, listen to folktales from China, Korea and Southeast Asia combined with participatory songs and mime.
September 20 - Creative Kids: Art
2:30pm
Create a special picture using East Asian calligraphy.
October – Sukkot: Jewish
Who Celebrates: Jewish people from all over the world
How is it Celebrated: The Festival of Sukkot is celebrated for 7 days. A hut called a Sukkah is built where many families will eat their meals. Special prayers are recited using a luluv and Etrog.
When: It occurs in autumn on the 15th day of the month of the Jewish month of Tishri (late September to late October). In 2008, it begins on October 13.
Fun Facts:
*A Luluv is made up of 1 palm branch, 2 willow branches and 3 myrtle branches
*A Etrog is a citrus fruit similar to a lemon
*The Sukkah is often decorated with dried fruit or vegetables and with artwork done by children
October 4 – Creative Kids: Cooking
2:30pm
Make a special dish in honor of the harvest.
October 12– Sukkot Celebration
12:00pm
Help Rabbi Fish from Congregation Beth El in Norwalk decorate a Sukkah and learn more about the traditions of this holiday.
November – Thanksgiving: North American
Who Celebrates: People in both the United States and Canada.
How is it Celebrated: In both countries, Thanksgiving is a time for celebration with families often gathering together for festive meals and to give thanks.
When: It is celebrated in the second Monday in October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.
Fun Facts:
*In both Canada and the US, items from the autumn harvest such as cornucopia’s, pumpkins and corn are used for decorations.
*In the United States, it is traditional to eat turkey just like the Pilgrims and Native Americans did in 1621, during one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations.
*The first Thanksgiving in Canada was first celebrated by English explorer, Martin Frobisher in 1578.
November 1 – Creative Kids: Art
2:30pm
Learn about how Canada and the United States celebrate Thanksgiving and make a cornucopia.
November 22 – Thanksgiving Festivals Around the World
1:30pm
Performing artists TAINO celebrates the harvest by combining story, music, masks, dance, ethnic musical instruments and audience participation.
Celebrate the Harvest at home and make this tasty treat with your kids!
Yam Muffins
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cooked yams, mashed
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
4 tablespoons, sweet butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon
METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 350, and grease muffin tins, or arrange paper muffin
cups on a baking sheet.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well
3. Pour the batter into the muffin tins or paper cups until 2/3 full and
bake for 20-25 minutes. Makes 24 muffins
