A festival is a gathering of people to celebrate something. It can be religious, cultural, political or even social. Regardless of the purpose, the festival brings happiness and harmony to the participants. While most festivals are national, they also have a local significance.
A festiual is a social event that involves competition, often in the form of games. The rites of competition typically involve the use of rules that have special meaning. Symbols and rites are meant to reassure equanimity in times of crisis or transition. Traditionally, festivals have attracted men of letters.
A religious or cultural festival can be a seasonal event or a day-long celebration. Typically, it will include a rite of competition, a ritual, or both. There may be ritual performances or dances, as well as visual art and film.
Some scholars consider the term “festival” to be an important concept in the history of religion. They believe that the Egyptian terms for festivals contain important concepts that will be incorporated in later religions. But, the original meanings of these terms have been lost in mythological explanations.
Holi, for example, is a boisterous festival that is celebrated throughout northern India. In addition to celebrating a Hindu god, Krishna, the festival is a day when people forget the past mistakes and forgive each other. People go out with friends and family to celebrate the festival. During this festival, they drink colored powder and smear each other. This is an ancient tradition that is celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims.
Another festival is Noruz (New Year), which is celebrated by Zoroastrianism in the spring. Although this is a feast, it is largely a celebration of the changing season. The celebration is marked by the lighting of bonfires. Sesame seeds are eaten, and religious rituals are performed on the bonfires.
Several other festivals have a religious basis. For example, the Parsi is said to have a tradition of Rapithwin, a midday meal dedicated to the resurrection of the body. Also, the Magi of the East were presumably followers of Zoroaster.
Agricultural festivals and royal holidays are another type of festival. Agricultural festivals commemorate harvests, while royal holidays commemorate dynastic events. As such, they will usually be marked as national holidays.
In most societies, festivals bring together a group of people with a common interest. They often focus on an artistic or musical style, or on a particular aspect of culture. Most people like to photograph and video the event, but they are less concerned with the quality of the photos or videos. Those who are new to festivals should keep a checklist of the things they will need for the event.
Festivals are a fun time for kids. Learning about the various festivals and their traditions can help children learn more about their religion. Kids can make new friendships with other kids who share their beliefs.
During a festival, many people will pray for a lot of happiness. In fact, festivals have been a positive influence on the lives of many people of all backgrounds.