MetaFilter posts tagged with newyear

Namahage (生剥)

KokuRyu — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:44:57 -0800

Namahage (生剥) is a Japanese ritual which is observed throughout Oga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture in northern Honshū, Japan. It is saidto have originated as a ritual for cleansing people's souls, and for blessing the new year. On New Year's Eve, a group of young men dressed up as fierce demons or bogeymen, Namahage, visit each house in the village, shouting: "any misbehaving kids live here?" They then scare children in the houses, telling them not to be lazy or cry, though little children often do burst into tears. Then the parents will assure the Namahage that there is no bad child in their house, and give food or traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages to the demons. Other regions of Japan have similar ceremonies. The Noto Peninsula welcomes February with Amamehagi. The masks are crudely carved, and real knives are sometimes still brandished at the children.

Basking in the warm glow of the television.

DoctorFedora — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:42:31 -0800

Sure, we all know that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is broadcast every year in the US as a Christmas tradition, and that Sweden basically closes every year from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on December 24th to watch Donald Duck, but what about other countries? Germany joins the party by showing an obscure British comedy sketch called "Dinner for One" (YouTube link) every year for New Year's Eve, famous enough that the phrase "The same procedure as last year?" will get you the response "The same procedure as every year, James," and that the parody "Dinner für Brot" ("Dinner for Bread" — YouTube links in German) was created with puppets, based on the original sketch. Japan takes an approach less akin to Sweden and Germany's tradition of airing the same program year after year, instead opting for something more along the lines of the US's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, called Kouhaku Uta Gassen ("Red and White Song Battle" — Wikipedia link), featuring two teams of competing musicans, divided by sex. The show is by invitation only, and is such a cultural touchstone that when Jero, the African-American enka singer (Wikipedia link), was invited to perform at 2008's edition, there was hardly a dry eye in the audience when he talked about promising his late grandmother that he'd one day be famous enough to perform on Kouhaku. And of course, in the United States, who could forget the annual broadcasts of such traditions as It's a Wonderful Life, the Christmas Episode,, Frosty the Snowman (and its rather more poorly regarded '90s sequel, Frosty Returns), and, naturally, 1984's A Christmas Story, based on the novel by Jean Shepherd. A distinctly American cultural touchstone, it's been adapted from In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash (Amazon link) into not only a movie, but also into numerous stage musicals and a 30–second reenactment by animated bunnies. The annual 24–hour marathon of a dozen nonstop showings of the movie for Christmas on TNT (and now TBS) has become famous, but this year it's got competition from one of the Swaziest movies ever made. (Previously, and previouslier)

We need not feel ashamed of flirting with the zodiac . The zodiac is well worth flirting with.

Smart Dalek — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:32:45 -0800

In 2005, graphic artist Kentaro Nagai was struck by the play on words between peace and piece in relation to global politics. This concept was expanded in an exhibition entitled Twelve Animals, where Nagai rearranged outlines of the world's landmasses into shapes respective of the aspects of the Chinese Zodiac. [via]

New Year's Eve In Times Square

amyms — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:52:30 -0800

Times Square: Crossroads of the World is the official website of Times Square in New York City. An estimated 1 million people from all over the world are in Times Square tonight, celebrating New Year's Eve and the 100th anniversary of the ball drop (with a new eco-friendly, LED-lighted ball). Also on the site: A History of New Year's Eve in Times Square, a Then and Now interactive timeline, a Signs of the Times gallery, and much more. The FAQ is also interesting.

Resolutions, schmesolutions. Do what it takes to be happy.

jbickers — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:47:46 -0800

How to learn to love exercise. How to quit smoking. How to stop drinking, or reduce your intake. How to love your body. How to feel good about yourself. How to find a career you care about. Smaller topics, perhaps, but still important: Learn a second language. Start writing in a journal. Learn to cook. Read the books I should have read in school. Write a book. Skydive. See the world. Take great photos. Get out of debt. Start saving for retirement.

For UbuRoivas

hadjiboy — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 08:42:47 -0800

How about some Dhansak? Or maybe some Patra-ni-Machi? Is anyone in the mood for Chicken Farcha?? And to wash it down, how about a cool glass of Falooda with cream? Day before yesterday, was Navroze (Jamshed-e-Navroze), and the Zoroastrian community of Iran, along with the Parsis of India, gathered together at their Fire Temples to ring in the new year, with prayers and good wishes.

Bomb attack in Bangkok

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 06:54:36 -0800

Seven bombs rock Bangkok as the New Year's countdown begins. At least two are dead. Is it related to the recent coup? Some photos here.

The same procedure as last year

i_am_joe's_spleen — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:53:49 -0800

A German New Year's ritual entirely in Enligsh. Enlighs. English.

Because Hoder didn't.

BuddhaInABucket — Sun, 20 Mar 2005 00:48:36 -0800

Happy Noruz 1 3 8 4! Learn about the Persian new year and festivities and traditions that take place.

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nj_subgenius — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:03:12 -0800

New Year Webcams Probably a yawn but I do not want to look at Regis. Other places besides NYC...

Old Year's Quiz

asok — Mon, 05 Jan 2004 07:57:31 -0800

Old Year's Quiz. Another chance to feel un-informed and clueless, or smug and well-informed, depending. Answers next week... or "when we have time to make them up."

Our lives are not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the times that take our breath away.

anastasiav — Fri, 02 Jan 2004 08:11:55 -0800

Polar Bear Clubs have become a traditional way to greet the new year. The original US club seems to be in Atlantic City, NJ, where winter bathers have been taking the plunge on New Years Day for over 100 years. Some say that the plunges are rooted in the Nordic tradition of saunas and cold water bathing, but today most clubs focus on fundraising, taking a sponsored dip for charity. On Jan 1, 2003 Ivy Granstrom took the plunge in Vancouver BC at the age of 91 -- her 75th New Years dip. New clubs are popping up all the time - everywhere from Hampton, NH to Busan, Korea to Kirov, Russia -- even Gainesville, GA boasts some Polar Bears.

Good news for the new year

sheauga — Wed, 01 Jan 2003 18:27:07 -0800

Ring in a New Year with good news from the web: Infamous Ugandan rebel ends years of reclusion to call for talks. Peace may be coming to Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Congo and Cyprus. Bill Gates, Sr. wants his kid to preserve the estate tax. Sudanese women launch sex strike to end civil war. Sentimental, choked-up politician says, "If at the end of my mandate all Brazilians have the possibility to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, I will have fulfilled the mission of my life" -- and is honest enough to admit this won't be easy.

Happy New Year

SandeepKrishnamurthy — Tue, 31 Dec 2002 19:05:40 -0800

Happy New Year[in the language of your choice] Happy new year, my friends. See you on the other side.

New Year's Gastronomy

madamjujujive — Fri, 27 Dec 2002 19:59:53 -0800

Black-eyed peas before noontime is a good luck custom in the U.S. southern states, often served in Hoppin John. Spaniards favor twelve grapes at midnight, Greeks munch on a slice of vasilopita bread baked with a foil-wrapped coin, the Dutch breakfast on hot oliebollen, while the intrepid Japanese defy death by snacking down on mochi rice cakes. Every culture seems to have a traditional food or beverage to celebrate the New Year - do you have a gastronomical favorite to mark the occasion?

Lennon Merry Xmas the War is Over

thedailygrowl — Wed, 25 Dec 2002 02:57:13 -0800

Happy Xmas (War is over) This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the UK release of John and Yoko's perennial Christmas classic. A very Merry Xmas And a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear War is over, if you want it War is over now. Happy Xmas

dwivian — Tue, 12 Feb 2002 08:35:09 -0800

Happy New Year! While you're having some Dim Sum and King Cake at your parish Pancake Supper, remember to celebrate the Year of the Black Horse and get those fireworks set off before Lent begins! Oh, my. Now my head is swimming... have to go lie down.

quarsan — Tue, 01 Jan 2002 15:11:38 -0800

what will 2002 bring? the guardian newspaper asked various people, like the british tiolet association, for their thoughts on the new year. the result is an interesting portrait of britain today

tomcosgrave — Mon, 31 Dec 2001 16:10:07 -0800

Wishing you all a happy new year from the GMT zone, specifically, Dublin, Ireland, where it's now appproximately 10 minutes past the hour!

baylink — Sun, 31 Dec 2000 20:05:53 -0800

Random Cheer Bombing II: Happy (Gregorian) New Year!

(Yes, I'm early; but I have a ways to drive to get kissed, so y'all can just deal. :-)