What is your favourite holiday?

The holidays are unique in culture, geography, and degree of observance. They mean that millions of people around the world will be revisiting their beloved annual traditions with friends, family, and loved ones. 

Whether known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, or Saint Nick, children in the English-speaking world eagerly await their reward for good behaviour all year. In Austria, children are spooked by Krampus wreaking havoc on the streets. People assemble at KFC locations for a bucket of fried chicken in Japan. The Swedes erect towering Gälve Goats in their communities, and the Finns celebrate with a session in the sauna. 

For many, the most cherished holiday traditions are celebrated with family, at home. But what do the holidays look like for those living in displacement, who have been forced from their homes and living in camp settlements and temporary shelters?

From Brazil to Syria to India, take a look at what displaced people have said is their favourite holiday and how they celebrate it away from home.

Like its Latin American neighbours, Venezuela is a predominantly Catholic country. It observes Christmas with a number of traditions, both secular and religious. The holidays in Venezuela begin on December 16th with midnight mass and last until the Day of the Epiphany on January 6th. In between, Venezuelans celebrate with lively music, traditional foods, and colourful decorations. 

Nieves Gutierrez, Venezuelan, resident of the Rondon 2 shelter in Roraima, Brazil

An important Christmas hallmark is the traditional Nativity Scene (Nacimiento). In some regions of Venezuela, the Nativity Scene is more popular than the Christmas Tree. In 2019, three refugee women living in the Rondon 2 camp in Roraima, led the craft project building a large scale Nativity Scene for the full community to share. Venezuelans Marileth Aellano, Nieves Gutierrez and Gerinez Perez brought a small piece of their original home to their transitional home. With basic office supplies and craft materials, they made a Nativity Scene that reflected the traditional imagery provided in the bible, with the architecture and environment of their current reality. 

Ultimately, their project caught on with the rest of the community, who joined in the making process. Notably, the children were eager to participate, and the three women reflected on their holiday wish for them to realise their fullest potential outside of their displacement situation.

In the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated every year on changing dates traditionally determined by sightings of the new moon. Muslims decorate their homes for the Eid holidays and wear their finest outfits. They are celebrated communally, with family sharing elaborate meals. 

“Zakat” is a key observance for Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam. It is particularly important during the holidays, as it reminds Muslims to appreciate blessings and act with charity for those who are less fortunate. At the heart of both Eid holidays is prayer, often concluded with the salutation of “Eid Mubarak” and three hugs. 

The Eid holidays are favourites for Aamah al-Salloum, who was displaced from the eastern countryside of Saraqib and currently lives in the Maram camp in Sheikh Bakhr, northwest of Idlib, Syria.

Aamah al-Salloum, Syrian, resident of the Maram camp in Idlib, Northwest Syria

For many, however, celebrations do not only have to come scarcely in a year. For Zakariya al-Sheikh, his faith is the cause for him to celebrate every week. Displaced from the village of Tal Debs, east of the city of Maarat al-Numan, Zakariya was moved to the Maram camp in Sheikh Bahr.

Prayer every Friday is Zakaria’s favourite holiday. During this time, he celebrates with his family, sharing meals and blessings.

As diverse as a country like India, holidays and celebrations are varied and plentiful. Diwali is the largest religious holiday in India, and it comes from the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh traditions. A festival of lights commemorating the triumph of lightness over darkness, Diwali is often associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. 

Diwali celebrations depend on the region and how each family interprets the Diwali story. Like many holidays worldwide, communal prayer is central, and families often gather to share large feasts. To emphasize the importance of light, lamps are lit on the streets and within houses, and fireworks are lit for larger communities to enjoy.

There are at least 30 recognised holidays on the Hindu calendar alone, many associated with Gods, including Maha Shivratri. Also known as the “Great Night of Shiva,” Maha Shivratri is observed solemnly and celebrated with fasting, keeping vigil, and chanting prayers.

Joysna Bhumji is dedicated to the workshop of Lord Shiva. Jyotsna and her husband were displaced by the flooding in Assam, India, and relocated to the Kalain block site overseen by the NGO SEEDS. Together with SEEDS, Jyotsna and her husband built their shelter from the ground up, making sure that their new home accommodated their devotion to faith.

Naturally, Jyotsna’s favourite holiday is Maha Shivratri, which she looks forward to every year.

Jyotsna Bhumji, resident of Assam, India