Page 12 - NT 2022 Almanac

13th January Lohri
Hindus and Sikhs all over the world
celebrate Lohri. During Lohri songs are
sung to the sun god, Surya, thanking him
for his warmth and praying for his return after the cold weather.
People drink gurh – a delicious sugary drink made from sugarcane. Gajak is also eaten – a thin, dry sweet made from roasted sesame seeds cooked in sugar syrup and spices. Children go from house to house singing folk songs and are given sweets. In the evening, a bonfire is lit and people gather together to dance.
17th January Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat is also known as Rosh Hashanah La’llanot, or ‘The
New Year of the Trees’. Like Wassailing, it is a time to
give thanks for the trees coming to life and growing new green shoots after the winter. The day is celebrated with a feast
of seven foods which are found growing
in Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.
25th January Burns Night
Burns Night celebrates the birthday of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns. He wrote the song ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which we sing on New Year’s Eve. In Scotland, people have a Burns Night supper, which includes the national dish of haggis, neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes).
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