The month of December is widely associated with traditions like Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas. However, many are unaware of the lesser-known celebrations honored by various ethnic groups. These unique traditions, rich in different cultural aspects of history and custom, tend to go unnoticed, yet they hold significant meaning to the communities that commemorate them.
Everyone knows that Christmas, Kwanzza, and Hanukkah are the 3 main holidays celebrated throughout the world. However, here are 3 holidays that many outside their respective cultures may not be familiar with:
- ‘Q-vee-Ya-sook-A’ Quviasukvik (“The Time of Joy”): Celebrated by the Inuit people
- ‘Tym-nyy bél-iété’ Тымныы бэлиэтэ (“Symbol of Cold Ceremony”): Celebrated by the Sakha people (also known as Yakuts)
- Su-Kutt Menyil Fiesta (“Deer Moon Festival”): Celebrated by the Cahuilla (kuh-wee-uh) Tribe
The people of North Greenland
The Inuit people, otherwise known as Eskimos, are an indigenous community located in regions of North America, specifically Alaska, Greenland, and Canada. Historically, they are known for relying on hunting, fishing, and gathering in preparation for the harsh and cold environments that often surround them.
The ancestry of the Inuit people stem from Northeastern Siberia. Their primary group, called “Thule People”, migrated across the Bering Strait and settled in the Arctic regions of North America. The Inuit people have an outlasting population of 160,000 and unlike their historical counterparts, today, they have become sedentary.
Each country or community often has a guiding motto or belief that they strive to live by. For example, it is widely known that the U.S. is a country that stands for equality and that everyone has the “right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” For the Inuit people, their belief in Animism holds that all living things share a vital life force. This shapes their worldview, which means when they say “Nunavut Sanginivut” (Nunavut, our strength), they take pride in the strength and spirit their land holds.
Quviasukvik ‘Q-vee-Ya-sook-A’ ● 12/24-01/07
The Inuit people express deep respect for the land and its natural beauty. This gratitude for nature and the resources provided by the land and the animals that sustained them is the foundation of the celebration they refer to as Quviasukvik, otherwise known as “The Time of Joy.” Quiviasukvik marks the arrival of the winter solstice, when the sun returns after its long absence in the Arctic winter. Historically, the Inuit people celebrated Quiviasukvik on a much more spiritual level. It was their time to honor the spirits of nature and to give thanks for the return of the sun, which was seen as a symbol of life’s renewal.
Similar to both Christmas and The Feast of St. Nicholas, Quiviasukvik traditions include…
- Sharing a feast
- Giving gifts
- Figures arriving to children’s homes (known as the Nalujuit)
- Gathering for storytelling or games
The village of Oymyakon ‘Oim-yah-kon’
The Sakha people, otherwise known as the “Yakuts”, are an indigenous group located in the northeastern Siberian region of Russia, specifically in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). They have previously been recognized as the coldest inhabited place on Earth, with temperatures often plunging below -43.6°F. Historically, the Sakha people have adapted to these conditions and traditionally rely on reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting for their livelihoods.
The ancestry of the Sakha people stem from Southeastern Siberia. Their primary group called Yakuts (still used today) migrated from the Lake Baikal region with the aborigines of the Lena and settled in regions of Northeastern Siberia. As for population rates, they met their peak at 2,500; however, the numbers quickly dwindled to 500 in 2018-2024.
The Sakha people of Oymyakon often draw inspiration from anthem, “Саха Өрөспүүбүлүкэтин өрөгөйүн ырыата”, which directly translates to “Sakha, you are the light of dawn”. This anthem reflects their deep spiritual connection to nature and the cosmos. The heart of their belief system is rooted in Tengriism—a tie of shamanism and animism—and includes medicine, religion, a reverence of nature, and ancestor worship. “The Light of Dawn” symbolizes renewal, hope, and the life-giving forces of nature aligning with their belief of Tengriism.
Тымныы бэлиэт ‘temniy-bilet’ ● 12/09
The “Symbol of Cold” Ceremony that is held by the Sakha people strongly emphasizes harmony with the nature of natural forces. Winter and its cold are not merely challenges to endure but are sacred forces to revere and honor. Their belief of Tengriism aligns with this Ceremony as Тымныы бэлиэт is a celebration that honors the arrival of the cold season, reflecting the deep pride they hold for renewal and the enduring strength of their identity.
Activities held during the “Symbol of cold” ceremony include…
- Blessings to Ded Moroz (Frost Father)
- Family reunions
- Musical performances
- Battle reenactments
The Cahuilla Tribe
Cahuilla people, otherwise known as “ʔívil̃uqaletem” (Ivilyuat), are a Native American community located in the inland regions of Southern California. Historically, they’re known for their deep connection to the land, utilizing the region’s natural resources for hunting, gathering, and weaving. Today, many Cahuilla descendants live on reservations in the area and try to preserve their language and culture as best they can; however, very few families within the Cahuilla Tribe have passed down the language.
The ancestry of the Cahuilla Tribe stems from the Coachella Valley, San Bernardino Mountains, and parts of the Mojave Desert. Their people have lived here for thousands of years. In the 1700s they had a lasting population of 15,000 before it significantly declined due to diseases brought by European colonizers. Today, their population stands at around 3,000.
The Cahuilla Tribe doesn’t hold one specific motto or anthem, unlike the Inuits and people of Sakha. However, they hold the strong belief that bird songs bring people together and keep tradition alive. These beliefs are rooted from Polytheism (believing in multiple gods) and Religious Cosmology (an explanation of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe). Ivilyuat believe that from a spiritual level, bird songs are used to recount the Tribe’s origins, migrations, and teachings and are believed to convey the wisdom and guidance of their ancestors, tying the people to the land and the divine forces that shape their existence.
Su-Kutt Menyil Fiesta ‘Su-kutt-men-yil-fee-esta’ ● 12/07
The Su-kutt Menyil Fiesta, also known as the “Deer Moon Festival”, is an annual celebration that honors the cycles of nature, specifically the moon and its influence on the environment and life. Their belief in Polytheism and Religious Cosmology align with this Festival as they take pride in recognizing the natural world and deer, central figures in the Festival that symbolize sustenance, harmony, and the connection between all living things.
Activities taken place during the festival include…
- Honoring their ancestors
- Reaffirming their cultural identity
- Gathering communally
- Storytelling through bird song
While they may not have the global recognition of holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, these celebrations are equally rich in meaning and significance for the communities that participate in them. In addition to learning about these traditions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of human expression and the shared values of gratitude, renewal, and unity that resonate across all cultures.
