Feasts And Festivals - Student And Advanced

1. Which Christian festival is called Pascha in many European countries?

Passover

Easter

Epiphany

Christians in many European countries call Easter Pascha. This word comes from the Hebrew word pesah, which means passover. Jesus was celebrating the Jewish festival of Passover shortly before he was arrested and sentenced to be crucified.

Explanation

Christians in many European countries call Easter Pascha. This word comes from the Hebrew word pesah, which means passover. Jesus was celebrating the Jewish festival of Passover shortly before he was arrested and sentenced to be crucified.

2. During which Hindu festival do people douse each other with coloured powder and water?

Diwali

Janmashtami

Holi

Holi is a lively festival associated with the god Vishnu, springtime, and the grain harvest. It occurs in February or March. People relax social rules and act boisterously. This honors the playful character of the young Krishna, a physical form of Vishnu.

Explanation

Holi is a lively festival associated with the god Vishnu, springtime, and the grain harvest. It occurs in February or March. People relax social rules and act boisterously. This honors the playful character of the young Krishna, a physical form of Vishnu.

3. Which of the following countries celebrates Cinco de Mayo on May 5?

Bolivia

Spain

Mexico

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle occurred after Emperor Napoleon III of France sent troops to Mexico to conquer the country.

Explanation

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over a French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The battle occurred after Emperor Napoleon III of France sent troops to Mexico to conquer the country.

4. Songkran is the New Year holiday in Tanzania.

True

False

Songkran is the New Year holiday in Thailand.

Explanation

Songkran is the New Year holiday in Thailand.

5. May Day developed from a Roman festival called Floralia.

True

False

Peoples conquered by the ancient Romans developed May Day festivals from the Roman festival of Floralia. Floralia took place in April and honored the Roman goddess of springtime, Flora. Eventually, Floralia was combined with a Celtic celebration called Beltane, which took place May 1.

Explanation

Peoples conquered by the ancient Romans developed May Day festivals from the Roman festival of Floralia. Floralia took place in April and honored the Roman goddess of springtime, Flora. Eventually, Floralia was combined with a Celtic celebration called Beltane, which took place May 1.

6. What is the Iranian New Year called?

Rosh Ha-Shanah

Nowruz

Baisakhi

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, begins on the first day of spring. Nowruz activities include growing wheat or lentil sprouts, attending banquets and picnics, and visiting family and friends.

Explanation

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, begins on the first day of spring. Nowruz activities include growing wheat or lentil sprouts, attending banquets and picnics, and visiting family and friends.

7. Where was the first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States?

Boston

Chicago

New York City

The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. Today, the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City is the largest.

Explanation

The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. Today, the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City is the largest.

8. In April, the Japanese hold Sakura Matsuri, the Rose Blossom Festival.

True

False

Sakura Matsuri is the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.

Explanation

Sakura Matsuri is the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival.

9. Passover celebrates the Israelites' flight from slavery in Eritrea in the 1200's B.C.

True

False

Passover celebrates the Israelites' flight from slavery in Egypt, probably in the 1200's B.C. It begins in March or April and lasts for about a week.

Explanation

Passover celebrates the Israelites' flight from slavery in Egypt, probably in the 1200's B.C. It begins in March or April and lasts for about a week.

10. What does the term Mardi Gras mean?

Shrove Tuesday

Wild Nights

Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras means fat Tuesday in French. Mardi Gras takes place on the Tuesday before Lent, during the Easter season. It has roots in an ancient Roman custom of merrymaking before a period of fasting.

Explanation

Mardi Gras means fat Tuesday in French. Mardi Gras takes place on the Tuesday before Lent, during the Easter season. It has roots in an ancient Roman custom of merrymaking before a period of fasting.