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TASK: CHRISTMAS WEBQUEST

Eliana Caballero y Juan EspinosaBlogger

Activity 1: Christmas traditionsChoose one or more of the traditions below and investigate it usingthe websites provided. For each tradition complete a note card.(See questions below). You can use the cards to give an oralpresentation or write a composition.1.What is your tradition called?

Christmas tree

2.Describe your tradition.

The Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. It wascommon for the Germanic people to decorate fir trees, both inside andout, with roses, apples, and collared paper. It is believed that MartinLuther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas treewith candles. While coming home one dark winter's night nearChristmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining throughthe branches of a small fir tree outside his home. He duplicated thestarlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoorChristmas tree. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain untilthe 19th century. It was brought to America by the PennsylvaniaGermans in the 1820's.

3.What is the origin of your tradition?

It was common for the Germanic people to decorate fir trees, both insideand out, with roses, apples, and collared paper. It is believed that MartinLuther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas treewith candles.

4.When is your tradition held?

The Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th century.

5.Where is your tradition held?

In Germany

6.What is the symbolism behind your tradition?

The symbolism of the Christmas tree is decorate the house

Activity 2: Christmas around the world: Treasure huntUse the following websites to find out the answers to the questionsbelow:1.In India, what type of tree is decorated for Christmas?

Instead of having traditional Christmas Trees, a banana or mango tree isdecorated. Sometimes people use mango leaves to decorate their homes

2.Russians celebrate Christmas eating kutya. What is it and whatdoes it symbolize?

Kutia is a sweet grain pudding, traditionally served inUkrainian

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,Lithuanian,BelarusianandPolish cultures. Kutia is often the first dish in the traditionaltwelve-dish Christmas Eve supper(also known as SvyatehVetchnyat). It is rarely served at other times of the year.

TASK: CHRISTMAS WEBQUEST

Eliana Caballero y Juan EspinosaBlogger

3.Mexicans celebrate Christmas with posadas. What is a posada?

Las Posadas (Spanish for "The Inns") is a nine-day celebration beginningDecember 16 and ending December 24, which is called Noche Buena("Holy Night"). It is a yearly tradition for many Christian Latin Americansand symbolizes the trials which they believe Mary and Joseph enduredbefore finding a place to stay and where Jesus could be born.

4.In Rome, Italy, capitone is served on Christmas Eve. What iscapitone?

the traditional dish of Christmas Eve is "Capitone," a big female eel,roasted, baked or fried. North of Rome a traditional dish may be pork,sausage packed in a pig's leg, smothered in lentils, or turkey stuffed withchestnuts.

5.In Venezuela people listen to aguinaldos. What are aguinaldos?

The traditional songs of this period are called aguinaldos. In the old daysthe aguinalderos (singers of aguinaldos) would go from home to homesinging their songs and playing traditional instruments such as thecuatro (a small, four strings guitar), the maracas (rattle) and the furruco(a small, elongated drum with a wooden stick in the middle. Themovement of the stick slightly indented on the drums leather is whatproduces the sound).

6.In Provence, France, people put santons in a crèche. What aresantons and what is a crèche?

Another custom is that of the manger, "la crèche," which originated in12th century France in the form of liturgical drama. At first the mangeritself resembled an alter and was placed either inside the church orbefore the portal, as it was at the Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.Antique mangers can be seen in churches at Chartres, Chaource, Nogent-le-Rotrou, Sainte-Marie d'Oloron and in museums at Marseilles andOrleans.

7.In Japan, people are visited by Hoteiosho. Who is he, and why ishe special?

This was Hotei or Hoteiosho, an old Japanese god. He was originally one of the seven gods of good fortune. An amiable, serene and contented deity, heis often represented as a Buddhist priest with large ear-lobes. Hisdistinguishing feature is a huge stomach believed to be a symbol of his largesoul.

8.In Greece people have to protect themselves from Killantzaroi.What are Killantzaroi and how can you keep them away?

Killantzaroi are a species of goblins or sprites who appear only during the12-day period from Christmas to the Epiphany (January 6). Thesecreatures are believed to emerge from the center of the earth and to slipinto people's house through the chimney. More mischievous than actuallyevil, the Killantzaroi do things like extinguish fires, ride astride people'sbacks, braid horses' tails, and sour the milk. To further repel theundesirable sprites, the hearth is kept burning day and night throughoutthe twelve days.