El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-31
EN- YEARS DAY
IS WORLD VIDE
HOLIDAY
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reryone makes gifts. The poorest
kasant. if he can do no better, sends
] his friends a small piece Of dried
81 wrapped in paper tied with Pc
liar red and white string used only
this time. The fish conveys the SEN
(nent, God bless you and send you
kppiness this year. The celebration
BIDS with the feast of poetry In De
mber announcements are made of
Eizes for original japanese poems.
hose judged worthy are chanted by
heir fortunate writers on the last day
the festival An original poem by
e emperor always closes the pro-
am. The desision for merit is made
the official court poetess, madame
isho, who for 20 years has had this
*ty. Formerly madame Seisho was
e teacher Of the empress.
The Chinese New Year.
THE Chinese New Year is a movable
asst because of the difference in their
$lendar and that used by the Christian
brld. This year it will fall upon jan
Try 80. The New Year holiday period
vers 80 days in China, during which
he no unnecessary official business is
nsacted. Generally the holiday be-
BIS 10 days before the New Year and
htinues 20 days after although this
ries according to the orders of the
urt circular issued annually The
b. is devoted largely to religious cell
tations, although fireworks and
listing are in evidence. The most i'm
>rtant event of the period is the feast
lanterns. This always comes five
BIS after New Years and is time of
Infant illumination So far as posi-
the Chinese in foreign lands cele-
ate their national holiday after their
Five custom and the Chinese quarter
every large city gives evidence Of
tivity at this season
The Russian Festival
In Russia the New Year festival lasts
b weeks It begins at midnight on
~ Years eve when the car attends
bile mass At the stroke OF II
nonade Of one hundred shots is fir
after which the revelry begins. The
eets of all the towns are gaily dec
lied and festivities are evident ev-
$where- These end at the Eve of
3jelnek," the last day of the festival
In a cross is made upon each front
Ir to prevent satan from entering.
people fast and there are no public
smn service in every church.
In Scottish Villages.
h Scottish villages the parents often
seen sallying out together carrying
Hyper and a kettle OF steaming was
a." They will go from house to
Use exchanging draughts with their
kghbors. while the young folks make
Try at home. The Scottish swain
Eeves in his footing in" on New
hrs day If his knock is answered
! the daughter of the family and he
Is his foot inside the door before she
<apcs. he is entitled to salute her lips. I
fw great his disappointment if the
|trorly mother or stern maiden aunt /
bear at the door.
African New Year Customs.
in Central Africa when by careful
ssrvatfoT OF fhe SUNS position the
Edicine man of the tribe concludes
Et another year is complete, the chief
Ids solemn council A special watch
kept-for evil spirits and the priest
ants all night over the pot of boiling 4,
rbs he is converting into a brilliant !
e. At the first ray of the rising sun
assistants beat a weird call on some
tive drums. The warriors who have
N especially valiant during the year
ne IOTA dTO anu lHelT races are CecO-
ed with symbolic designs put on by (
. priest from the official dye. They
,udly wear these marks during the
st and dancing which follows. The
al of young men for qualifica tons as
rriors is generally a feature of saw
2 New Years celebrations The
lerican indians usually tested their
ives in connection with the ceremo-
s at the opening of another year.
Observance in America.
Among American cities New York's
ebration is the most important In
mt of extravaganza It throws Paris
o the shade. Although there are
ny similar effects, New York has
ny features distinctly its own Per-
0s the most unusual is the Wall
eet New Years celebration. The
i'd and sober brokers for one night