A festival is a celebration or event that usually takes place over a period of time and focuses on a specific theme, tradition or occasion. Festivals can be religious, cultural or national and bring people together in a common cause. Most festivals feature music, dance, food, and various forms of entertainment. A festival is also a social gathering that can take the form of a party, fair or show.
The word “festival” is derived from the Latin festivalis, which means “a celebration.” In ancient times, festivals were originally designed as a way to commemorate and honor specific gods, goddesses or saints and celebrate important events in a particular agricultural, religious, or sociocultural community. Eventually, these festivals were extended to encompass all aspects of the local culture and society. Today, most festivals are celebrations of a special art or activity, such as music, poetry, or dance.
Almost every culture in the world has its own version of a festival. Some are a big deal, like Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, Oktoberfest in Germany, or Mardi Gras in New Orleans, while others are more obscure. Festivals can be based on food, music, art, or even the seasons of the year.
Many festivals are religious in nature, such as Christmas, Eid and Diwali. Others, such as the Holika Dahan, are a part of the Hindu religion and tell the story of a devil king, Hiranyakashyap. He had a daughter, Prahlada, who had the blessing of Brahma that no man, animal or weapon could kill her. One day, the devil king became jealous of his sister’s beauty and immortality and tried to burn her. However, she prayed to Lord Vishnu and the fire could not burn her.
Other festivals are focused on a particular type of culture, such as the Scottish Highland Games or Shetland’s Viking fire festival. Some are based on the harvest, such as Chinese New Year or Indian Diwali. Still, other festivals are a combination of both cultural and religious, such as the Feast of Tabernacles or Kwanzaa. The US is one of the most prolific creators of festivals, with some of the largest being Coachella and Burning Man.
Regardless of the focus, most festivals are intended to create a sense of belonging and identity among attendees. This can be achieved through the creation of a “community,” which is often formed by groups or tribes within the festival, or by practices such as PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity & Respect) and Radical Inclusion. Some festival-goers are known as “festival hoppers” and travel the world in order to experience different cultures, traditions and festivities. This type of lifestyle requires a certain amount of flexibility, commitment and financial resources. Some may also be prone to drug and alcohol abuse. It is also important to stay safe during a festival. Be sure to drink responsibly and wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. In addition, it is essential to pack emergency supplies in case of any unforeseen circumstances.