Unusual Festivals in November?

[oggbashan]

In the UK we have Guy Fawkes on 5 November.

We, and other parts of Europe have Martinmass on 11 November but that is overshadowed now by Remberance Day.

Does anyone know of any other festivals that take place in November? Weird and wacky would be good.

There are festivals for beast-slaughtering when surplus livestock was killed to be preserved for winter meals and boat-hauling when fishermen hauled their boats above winter storm levels because fishing was too dangerous during December, January and February. Any others?

Og

 

[R. Richard]

All Saints Day is celebrated November 1 and is a national holiday in Italy.

 

[neonlyte]

Matanza, late November or December. Pig slaughter for chorizo, presunto, (smoked 'parma' style ham', salt pork, fresh pork. Everything is used except the inside of the intestines, that goes to the chickens. You might want to avoid eggs for a week

Nicolinas takes place in Guimaraes (northern Portugal) in early December. A student festival with a tradition dating back centuries. The festival is used to counter political and religious opinion of the day.

The Lewes firework parade in the south of England may be the only festival outside of the southern USA that uses burning crosses. It dates back to the otherthrow of the Catholic Church in England, I believe.

Torablot is undoubtably the most disgusting winter festivel, but you have to wait until February to eat 13 year-old shark and sheeps testicles. Smoked head is nice

 

[damppanties]

Unusual? Well, Diwali is celebrated in October / November. It's my favourite Indian festival.

 

[neonlyte]

Unusual? Well, Diwali is celebrated in October / November. It's my favourite Indian festival.

Well... that's about as much use as recipe for dal lentils! Wot is Diwali? Enquiring minds are too lazy to google.

 

[damppanties]

Well... that's about as much use as recipe for dal lentils! Wot is Diwali? Enquiring minds are too lazy to google.

No one's asking you to google, neon. Click on the link! Or just think firecrackers.

 

[neonlyte]

No one's asking you to google, neon. Click on the link! Or just think firecrackers.

Emmm... I turned off highlighting links

All Saints Day here tomorrow and the ghouls will be out in force tonight.

 

[damppanties]

Emmm... I turned off highlighting links

Why would you do that?

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Let me see...

November 1st is "Dia de los Muertos" or Day of the Dead in Mexico. Three days actually.
It's also Larry Flint's birthday.

November 6th is Election Day in the U.S. Nothing is more bazzar than elections in America

But my all time favorite - November 12th "National Pizza With The Works Except Anchovies Day ". What do they have agains Anchovies?

 

[neonlyte]

Why would you do that?

It's the Lit skin I prefer, layout wise, has this annoying thing of not showing links. It's for 'old farts'... to keep their brains agile

Diwali looks colourful. The fireworks look a bit on the mean side... now where is that virtual firework display? http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html

 

[damppanties]

Diwali looks colourful. The fireworks look a bit on the mean side... now where is that virtual firework display? http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html

That's sweet.
And yes, Diwali is colourful. Everything is lit up. And then, the sweets and the firecrackers. Sights, sounds, smells... everything is great. I love standing on the roof of my house late at night... about 12 or so - that's when the itty bitty firecrackers are done and the biggies start. You can see the sky exploding all around you.

 

[matriarch]

India
Pushkar Mela [Camel Fair], a week before full moon in Oct/Nov, 1 week.

Nepal
Tihar/ Deepavali [Festival of Lights], Oct/Nov, 1 day
[Thyangboche] Mani Rimdu [Buddhist story with masked dances] Full moon Nov/Dec, 1 day.

Cambodia
Full Moon Day early November
Bon Om Tuk [Water Festival], the country's biggest festival. Locals celebrate the reversing of the current of Tonle Sap River with boat races and fireworks.

Tunisia
Sahara Festival, Douz, camel racing and other colourful desert events.

Laos
Pha That Luang Festival, music, processions, fireworks and serious partying, Full moon, 18-24 Nov.

Thailand
Sukhotai Loi Krathong, candles, fireworks, folk music, dancing in the ruins of the old city. 11-19 Nov.

Argentina
Gaucho Festival [Argentine Cowboys] 10-11 Nov.

Guatemala
Day of the Dead Kite Festival, 2 Nov. (Huh?? Dead Kites??)

Mexico
Dias de los Muertos [Days of the Dead]. Oct 31- Nov 2. Mainly in the states of Michoacan [ esp. Patzcuaro] and Oaxaca. Different ceremonies to link the dead with the living. Visit cemetaries late night Nov 1-2 to see the candles, flowers, music, family parties.

China
[Xishuangbanna Villages], Tan Ta [Dai people's ritual celebration], Late-Oct/early Nov, 10 days.

Burma
(Myanmar), Tazaungdaing Festival (Festival of lights with home-made fire balloons), full moon day in mid-Nov.

Thailand
Surin Elephant Roundup, spectacular shows and parade from 100 elephants 16-17 Nov.

[Lop Buri], Vegetarian Banquet for Monkeys, late Nov/early Dec, 1 day.......(This one has to be my favourite!!)

[Nakhon Phanom], Wan Phra Jao Prot Lok [Launching fire boats on Mekong River], Nov/Dec, 1 days.

 

[matriarch]

In the UK we have Guy Fawkes on 5 November.

We, and other parts of Europe have Martinmass on 11 November but that is overshadowed now by Remberance Day.

Does anyone know of any other festivals that take place in November? Weird and wacky would be good.

There are festivals for beast-slaughtering when surplus livestock was killed to be preserved for winter meals and boat-hauling when fishermen hauled their boats above winter storm levels because fishing was too dangerous during December, January and February. Any others?

Og

Og, how could you forget Stir-up Sunday??

We always had this in our house when I was a kid.

Stir-up Sunday
The Sunday before Advent, is often called 'Stir-up Sunday'. (Advent begins on Advent Sunday, which is four Sundays before Christmas.)

Why is it called Stir-up Sunday?
The name “Stir Up Sunday” comes from the opening words of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549 and later (that is the prayer of the day that “collects” up the themes of the readings). That same prayer, adapted into more modern language, is now the Church of England's prayer after communion for this Sunday:

"Stir-up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people;
that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,
may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

That's as may be, but for me as a kid, Stir up Sunday meant this:

Christmas Pudding Day
Christmas pudding Stir-up Sunday is the traditional day for everyone in the family to take a turn at stirring the Christmas pudding, whilst making a wish.

Before Christmas puddings were sold ready-made in foil containers, they were always made at home.

 

[neonlyte]

Og, how could you forget Stir-up Sunday??


Christmas Pudding Day
Christmas pudding Stir-up Sunday is the traditional day for everyone in the family to take a turn at stirring the Christmas pudding, whilst making a wish.

Before Christmas puddings were sold ready-made in foil containers, they were always made at home.

I made this years, last year, as is my custom. They mature beautifully (not unlike me, or you )

 

[matriarch]

I made this years, last year, as is my custom. They mature beautifully (not unlike me, or you )

Having tasted your expertise in the kitchen, I'd love to have a slice of that one with some home made vanilla custard. *drool*

Indeed.

 

[CopyCarver]

Nov. 15th is I Love to Write Day and also George Spelvin Day, which is perfect for Litsters who have alts

 

[oggbashan]

Matriarch, how could I forget Stir-Up Sunday?

My mother and mother-in-law always observed it.

My wife and I haven't because every year my elder brother used to send us about a dozen full size Christmas Puddings for taste testing. They came with ferocious questionnaires to be analysed by his research team because he was head of research for a bakery manufacturer. His extended family were guinea-pigs for Christmas Puddings. How else could he get batches of 500 puddings evaluated? (Without paying for the evaluation of course - in some respects his employers were cheapskates)

Thanks to all of you for the other suggestions. They are much appreciated.

Og

 

[gauchecritic]

Unusual? Well, Diwali is celebrated in October / November. It's my favourite Indian festival.

Whenever I see mention of Diwali I'm always reminded of Asimov's 'Nightfall' and the extended collaboration with Greg Benford 'Against the fall of night'.