The United Kingdom. Traditions and customs

The United Kingdom. Traditions and customs

Outline :

• About United Kingdom traditions and customs
• Halloween is ancient festival
• Christmas Traditions
• Other holidays

Every country has its own traditions and customs. In Britain traditions play a very important role in the life of people. The British are proud of their traditions and keep them carefully.

Halloween

Halloween is an ancient festival, which has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain (Sah-ween), this was when the Celts (the ancient inhabitants of Great Britain) celebrated their New Year and the day they believed that the souls of those who had died that year progressed to the underworld it was said to be a night when ghosts, demons and witches roamed the earth and people tried to placate them with offerings of nuts and berries.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas Eve

(December 24th) is traditionally the day for decorating churches and homes. It marks the beginning of theperiod formally known as Christmas-tide. Night time on Christmas Eve is a very exciting time for young children. It is the time when Father Christmas / Santa comes.

Christmas Day

(December 25th). This is the favourite day for all children. They wake up very early in the morning to find their stockings have been filled by Father Christmas and excitedly unwrap the presents before going down to breakfast. Family presents are opened either late morning or during the afternoon. The family gather together to open the presents found under the Christmas tree.Christmas Dinner.

Christmas Dinner.

Christmas Dinner. A traditional English Christmas dinner consists of roast turkey and stuffing, roast potatoes and vegetables, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and gravy, followed by Christmas pudding with brandy butter.

Remembrance Day

On Remembrance Day red poppies are traditionally wom in memory of servicemen who lost their lives in wars National Morris Dancing can be seen throughout the month of May in most of English villages. Groups of men and women wear coloured costumes, carry white handkerchiefs and perform their lively folkdance.

Mayday

The first day of the month of May is known as May Day. It is the time of year when warmer weather begins and flowers and trees start to blossom. It is said to be a time of love and romance. It is when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter.

Maypole Dancing

Maypole Dancing a traditional May day dance is known as Maypole Dancing On May day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer.