Black Celebrations Trivia Quiz

Answer: Good Friday

On Good Friday Jesus Christ was crucified along with two thieves on mount Golgotha. However gruesome this event seemed, it was all predestined according to Christian doctrine, which states that Christ had to die in order to cleanse humanity of its sins.

Answer: Chernobyl, Ukraine

It is virtually impossible to determine what the exact cost of life was due to the Chernobyl Disaster, but a detailed study done by Russia and published in 2007, simply entitled 'Chernobyl', estimates that some 985,000 premature deaths as a result of radioactivity released occurred between 1986 and 2004.

Answer: Day of Reconciliation in South Africa

Japan's Bon Festival honours the spirits of departed ancestors during August, as does Chuseok, which is held in Korea. During Gai Yatra (cow pilgrimage) in Nepal, a frame of woven bamboo, cloth and paper is made and the picture of a deceased relative is placed therein.

As the cow is seen as the vehicle to transport the departed into the afterlife, an actual cow or symbolic cow, depending on where you are in Nepal, is used for this purpose.

Answer: UNESCO

This decision was made at the 150th Executive Board meeting of UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization); decision 8.2.

Answer: Greece

Armenia's Christian Martyr Day is celebrated on 24 April, commemorating the Armenian Genocide from 1915 to 1923, in the Ottoman Empire. Malawi celebrates Martyr's Day on 3 March, commemorating those who lost their lives in the struggle against British colonialism. In Panama this day is celebrated on 9 January to commemorate the 1964 riots over the sovereignty of the Panama Canal.

Answer: Malaysia

These celebrations are dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan, son of Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati. By observing prayers during Thaipusam, it is the belief of Hindu devotees that they can be cleansed of all their sins on this day.

Answer: Afghanistan

During the battle of Karbala in Iraq in the year 680, the prophet Mohammed's grandson, Hussain, died in an act of martyrdom. In contrast, Sunni Muslims refer to this day as the Day of Atonement, celebrating the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.

Answer: Nederland, Colorado

Trygve Bauge, a Norwegian citizen brought his grandfather's body to the United States in 1989. His mother Aud and himself created a cryogenic facility in a shack in the backyard to preserve the body. Trygve was deported for overstaying his visa and when his mother faced eviction due to living in a house with no electricity or plumbing, she told a reporter of her plight, fearing that the body of her father and two other individuals would thaw. Several people have since taken up the responsibility of caretaker.

Answer: Near Death Festival

Saint Matha de Ribarteme is the patron saint of resurrection and during the commemoration mass is celebrated in her honour. During the festivities people who have had a near death experience during the preceding twelve months are carried around in coffins, thus demonstrating their gratitude.

Answer: By throwing flaming rags at one another

A volcanic eruption virtually destroyed the town at around the turn of the twentieth century. The festival started soon after that and has been commemorated ever since.