World Celebrations Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hola Mahalla

Guru Gobind Singh, founder of Khalsa, an order of Sikhism, created the festival of Hola Mahalla. In 1700 he held a festival in Anandpur, in the state of Punjab, which included sports, games, and martial arts. The festival continues today and thousands of Sikhs pay tribute to Guru Gobind Singh by singing hymns. Hola Mahalla usually falls in March, according to the Western calendar.

Answer: Hungry Ghosts Festival

According to the Chinese, there are spirits who have not been properly buried and they restlessly roam the earth. Linked to ancestor worship, the celebration is overseen by a huge paper effigy of a god. Paper offerings are burned in order to appease the anger of those restless spirits and peacefully send them back to the underworld.

The festival is held in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which is when the spirits are the most restless.

Answer: Hina Matsuri

Hina Matsuri, or "Doll Festival," is an opportunity for the Japanese people to pray for the protection, health, and happiness of young girls. The festival is held on March 3. Elaborately-dressed dolls, representing ladies-in-waiting, guards, and the emperor and empress, are displayed in homes on special platforms of varying heights, covered in red felt.

The emperor and empress are always placed on the top tier.

Answer: Eid al-Adha

Eid ul-Adha, or "Festival of Sacrifice," traces its roots back to the founding of the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) which is located in a western region of Saudi Arabia. According to Islamic beliefs, the prophet Ibrahim(Abraham) was a strong believer in the oneness of God.

He was willing to sacrifice his son Isma'il (Ishmael) just as God commanded. Eid ul_Adha commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The festival includes morning prayers and the sacrificing of a lamb or sheep. The meat is shared among families and neighbors who also exchange cards and gifts. Since it's based on a lunar calendar, the festival falls on a different day each year. According to the Western calendar, the festival falls in September.

Answer: Songkran

The three-day New Year's festival known as Songkran is a celebration of family and renewal. The festival is celebrated from April 13-15, with April 13 being New Year's Day. Songkran means "change place," referring to the earth changing position with the sun following the spring equinox.

As in other Asian religions, ancestor worship is important to the Thai. Water plays an important role during the New Year's celebrations. Pouring water on statues of Buddha is an important ritual. Children head to the streets to have water fights, all in good fun.

Answer: Carnaval

Carnaval coincides with the beginning of Lent. The festival lasts five days and what a festival it is! The most famous Carnaval celebration is held in Rio. Throughout Brazil one can find parades, floats, and plenty of colorful costumes. Music plays a big role in the celebrations as does dancing. Brazil is well known for the samba, although the dance originated in Africa.

Answer: Tangomarkkinat

Held every July in Seinäjoki, Finland, Tangomarkkinat is the oldest tango festival in the world. Serious musicians and dancers compete for first place in competitions. While the tango is the focus, other popular dances are welcome. The contest was established in 1985. Dance competitions are also held for novices.

Answer: Festima

Festima pays tribute to the artistry of masks and represents the pride of African culture. Parades and dancing fill the streets. The masks, many of them quite elaborate, represent the worship of ancestors, a common theme in festivals held around the world. In February, men from the countries of West Africa don masks, many of which are used for ritual.

Answer: Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil is the official groundhog, and comes from Gobbler's Knob, located near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2, dates back to the 1800s. The celebration itself is based on the practice of animism dating back thousands of years. According to folklore, if Phil sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't, spring will come early. Canada also celebrates Groundhog Day.

Answer: Oktoberfest

Munich, Germany, is the place to be to celebrate Oktoberfest, which dates back to 1810. Festivities generally run from the end of September to the middle of October. While other countries host their own Oktoberfest celebrations, Munich goes all out for its own. Good food, music, parades and, of course, lots of beer drinking commemorates the occasion. Women can often be seen dressed in dirndls and men in lederhosen.